The free Investment Readiness programme for Tamworth SMEs.

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IMPACT Tamworth

Introducing IMPACT Tamworth

Ready to grow your business through investment?

Are you a Tamworth-based SME that is:

  • Looking for funding to take the next step?

  • Developing a new product or service and needs support?

  • Wanting advice from people who’ve been through it before?

The IMPACT Tamworth Investment Readiness Programme, run by innovation consultancy Studio Zao, helps ambitious local businesses secure investment, scale with confidence, and connect directly with investors. Over five weeks, we’ll help you explore what investment really means for your business - how much you need, what type is right for you, and how to make a strong case for it.

Participation in this programme is completely free thanks to funding from UK Government.

About the Programme

What you’ll get

  • A clear growth plan

  • Materials to pitch your business credibly to funders and investors

  • Proof from structured testing to prove your idea or growth strategy has legs, with market ready data to show to investors

  • Confidence to speak the language of investors and funders, and the skills to pitch ideas and write bids and applications

  • Access to angel investors and government-backed funds through networks, events and applications

Who is it for

  • Growth-minded SMEs in Tamworth (must have a registered business address within the Tamworth Borough area)

  • Curious about funding or investment but not sure if you’re ready or have the confidence to go through the process

  • Ready to explore new opportunities for scaling up or entering new markets

How does the IMPACT Tamworth programme work?

What’s involved

  • 4 in-person workshops

  • Weekly 1-to-1 online coaching

  • Peer learning with a group of like-minded businesses

  • Real-world tests to gather evidence for your idea 

  • A live investment event to pitch to real funders

About our Team

Get to know Studio Zao.

  • We’re a nimble team focused on making good ideas happen.

    We’ve worked with corporations, the public sector and SMEs, always keeping things grounded in real-world experience, not theory.

    Our approach is people-first – understanding customers and users is at the heart of finding real solutions.

    We believe successful growth comes from entrepreneurial mindsets: testing, learning, and staying solution-oriented.

  • We help businesses turn ideas into investable, scalable opportunities through programmes, coaching and hands-on support. 

    From accelerators in Devon and Croydon to projects with the NHS, TfL and Sony, we support teams to test, prove and scale what works.

    We also equip the public sector and large corporations with practical tools and entrepreneurial methods so they can keep creating new opportunities long after we’ve gone.

  • We’ve supported hundreds of businesses to secure funding, launch products and grow with confidence.

    We’ve worked with manufacturers – like Hymid – to night-time venues, creatives, tech start-ups and social enterprises, helping with raising investment, positioning new offers and testing ideas with customers.

    Backed by our innovation and growth expertise, we’ve delivered with partners including Innovate UK, UKSPF-funded councils, UKRI and Sport England.

About the Programme

Meet the team and hear more.

Next Steps

How do I get involved?

1. Register your interest

Fill out the short form on our contact page, and our team will get in touch with you shortly.

2. Chat to our advisers

We’ll organise a quick call to understand your business context, needs and opportunities.

3. Onboarding

If it’s a fit, you’ll be invited to join our next cohort. Participation is free to eligible businesses.