A three-week AI incubator for graduates in South London. Tackle real industry problems, build an AI-powered MVP, and pitch your venture to see if the industry is ready to back your build.
If you're an employer in South London, here's what working with us looks like — and what you'll get out of it.
A real-world challenge your organisation is sitting with. Open enough for creativity, contained enough that teams can make meaningful progress in three weeks without needing deep internal access.
A champion who can give 1–2 hours per week for feedback and guidance.
A commitment to consider participants for internships, apprenticeships, or temporary roles post-programme.
The goal isn't a polished startup. It's to produce people who leave with real assets, real confidence, and a credible portfolio of work they built in three weeks.
Partner briefs, not made-up case studies.
Tools embedded throughout, not bolted on.
Skills and confidence as the primary outcome.
Hyper-local employers, community impact.
Cohort orientation, team formation, and lean startup methodology. AI tools setup and practical training. Partner brief introductions and problem framing. Customer discovery and user research.
Customer discovery in the field. Prototype iteration and evidence gathering. Business model development — lean canvas, financials, marketing basics. AI tools applied to data analysis, content, and solution refinement.
Pitching masterclass. Pitch deck and demo development. Rehearsals with mentors. Live showcase event. Final day: individual action planning.
Teams present their ventures to the partners who set the briefs, alongside other employers and industry leaders. This is a live showcase with real feedback — not a rehearsal. Partners respond, discuss, and identify potential next steps with teams directly.
Studio Zao is a London-based innovation and entrepreneurship consultancy. Next Steps Studio is delivered by the Studio Zao team with support from mentors and partner champions.
Whether you're a young londoner ready to build something, or an employer with a problem worth solving, we'd like to hear from you.
Register Your Interest