Entrepreneur in Residence is a trainee program where the trainees work with researchers who want to move from research to commercialization. Their focus is on analysing customer needs, testing market assumptions and developing a clear B2B business concept.
The program runs from August to February and is delivered by business incubator LEAD, where the trainees receive continuous coaching from experienced business advisors. Idea owners are expected to be available for meetings with the trainees approximately every other week.
The program is aimed at researchers and idea owners who:
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have the ambition to commercialise the idea through an independent company (startup)
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are open to bringing in an entrepreneur to drive the business forward, typically as a co-founder
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are working on a technology-based idea where feasibility has been demonstrated at some level (e.g. proof of concept or demo)
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control the necessary intellectual property rights (including patents) required for commercialisation
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have a clear hypothesis regarding the market and a B2B business model
The ideas may originate from both Linköping University and companies in Östergötland.
The program is free of charge. However, it assumes that there is a realistic plan for how the project can be financed in the months immediately following the trainee program, should a trainee join the case. A key prerequisite is that both the idea owner and the trainee have a mutual willingness to continue working together after the program.
Submit an expression of interest and a description of your business idea by mid-May and we will get back to you.
The selection of ideas takes place in two stages. First, LEAD selects over ten cases, which are presented by the idea owners to the trainees in mid-June. The trainees then choose which projects they want to include in the program.