Growth Studio started like all good things – by accident. After spending years in some of the largest marketing agencies, Co-Founder Paul Finch became frustrated with the slow pace of change.

A chance coffee meeting with Rayan Jawad, a former colleague, marked a turning point. Jawad introduced Finch to the concept of growth hacking, a lean, data-driven approach to marketing that had propelled major US startups like LinkedIn, Dropbox, and Facebook.

This then led Finch and Jawad to establish Growth Studio, one of the UK’s first growth hacking agencies. Their innovative methods quickly attracted the attention of accelerator programmes, which recognised the value of their lean, cost-effective approach for startups. However, Finch soon realised that many of these startups faced deeper challenges. "They often had fantastic technology but hadn’t checked whether anyone wanted to use or buy it," he said. "They couldn’t articulate what their product did, how it worked, or who it was for."

This led Growth Studio to shift its focus, where Finch and the Growth Studio team aimed to combine sustainability with profitability. "There are so many sustainability programmes out there, but we wanted to show that cleantech can be a viable business model," he explained. "If you can make money in cleantech, that’s how you truly change the world."

Growth Studio has carved out a unique niche in supporting early-stage startups, focusing on those from seed to Series A, by helping them validate their technologies, refine their propositions, and prepare for market entry in a lean, efficient manner.

Finch explained: “What we aim to do is work with startups to get them investment ready. Our programmes aren’t just about giving inspirational workshops – they’re about rolling up our sleeves and actively working with founders to achieve measurable goals.”

The approach is built around what Finch described as ‘active mentorship’, a hands-on model that supports founders and their businesses in a deeply personalised way. "We work with each startup to set a clear goal for the end of the programme," Finch said. "For one, it might be raising investment; for another, securing their first pilot project; and for someone else, it could be gaining their first 1,000 customers. Whatever the objective, we tailor our support to help them achieve it."

Growth Studio’s programmes focus on critical global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. These areas align with the company’s commitment to fostering impact-focused businesses. Finch noted: “These are problems that aren’t going away, and they’re areas where businesses can make a real difference. But impact-focused startups face unique challenges, especially post-Brexit. Raising investment isn’t impossible, but it’s harder, and the returns and traction look very different from traditional ventures.”

To address these hurdles, Growth Studio has built a robust ecosystem of investors, specialists, and experienced founders. "Every programme we run has a community around it – people who’ve been there before and can guide startups through the process," Finch said. This ecosystem not only provides guidance but also creates invaluable connections, helping startups navigate the complexities of cleantech and sustainability-focused ventures.

Growth Studio currently runs several programmes, with more in the pipeline for 2025. In 2023, the company launched ‘Breathable Cities’, a major initiative designed to support startups and technologies that help remove or prevent emissions and pollution in urban environments.

Finch shared: "It was an ambitious programme focused on the technologies that could transform cities into cleaner, healthier spaces."

Looking ahead, Growth Studio is set to continue its collaboration with Amazon through the fourth cohort of the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator. This programme, launching early 2025, will concentrate on sustainable consumer products. "It’s been incredible to work with Amazon on this initiative," Finch said. "The programme helps startups bring sustainability into mainstream consumer products, making a tangible impact on how we live and consume."

In addition to its established programmes, Growth Studio is exploring new areas of focus. "We’re in the early stages of launching a programme in the life sciences space, where climate change will play a significant role," Finch revealed. The team is also delving into emerging sectors such as green finance and broader climatetech. "There’s so much potential in these areas," Finch said. "We’re exploring how we can support innovations that address the intersection of technology and climate action."

Growth Studio has also introduced a distinctive initiative called Growth Studio Select, designed to provide extended, tailored support to hand-picked startups. Finch explained the concept behind this elite programme: “We wanted to focus on startups we truly believe in and are willing to invest our time in personally. The idea was to create a 12-month programme because, while accelerators are great for the intense learning and momentum they offer, startups often need the most help after the programme ends.”

Finch highlighted a critical gap many startups face: "You finish an accelerator, you’re investment-ready, you’ve honed your pitch, and then suddenly you’re having entirely different conversations with investors – and many founders just don’t know how to navigate that. The 12-month model gives us the chance to work on the business over a longer period of time, providing less intensive but consistent and valuable support."

However, the programme’s structure is evolving as Growth Studio refines its approach. The plan is to adopt a staggered model. "Instead of trying to fit everyone into a single cohort, we’ll work with smaller groups – maybe two or three startups at a time. This way, we can focus on the right startups, build a community around them, and tailor the programme to their specific needs.

"We’ve learned that it’s better to wait for the right startups and design the right programme for them, rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all model," Finch concluded.

Growth Studio places a strong emphasis on creating small, tightly knit cohorts for its accelerator programmes, typically ranging from eight to 12 startups. Finch explained: "We try to keep the numbers low because anything beyond 10 or 12, and you lose that personalised touch. There’s a magic that happens when a cohort really gels with one another – it’s transformative. Cohorts that build a strong sense of community always outperform those that don’t.

Growth Studio has worked with numerous innovative startups, but a few stand out for their exceptional progress and potential for global impact.

On the consumer product side, SURI, a sustainable toothbrush company, has made impressive strides since participating in Growth Studio’s programme. “They’ve just raised around $15 million in follow-on funding – they’re doing incredibly well, particularly in America,” Finch said.

From Growth Studio’s Breathable Cities programme, a hardware-based startup called Kleandrive has achieved remarkable results in the transportation sector. "They’ve taken on a massive challenge," Finch said. "You can drive a diesel bus into their garage, and within two or three days, it comes out as a fully functioning electric bus.”

And there’s also Asan, founded by an Indian female entrepreneur who developed a groundbreaking menstrual cup using technology from Harvard. "The menstrual cup is priced at £25 and lasts ten years. It’s designed to be as comfortable and reliable as possible. But the real brilliance lies in the business model: for every cup sold, she donates one to someone in India or Southeast Asia."

Reflecting on Asan’s success, Finch emphasised its broader significance: "This is the kind of startup we love to support. It ticks all the boxes – sustainability, societal impact, and a strong business model."

This article originally appeared in the January/February 2025 issue of Startups Magazine. Click here to subscribe