How it works

Each year, we evaluate about 120 business ideas, and start 10 new, growth-oriented companies annually.

Chalmers Innovation evaluates about 120 new business ideas every year, and out of them we start collaborating with 10 of them. Below is a description of the process, from the initial contact to the start of the collaboration.

Initial contact

The first contact is usually though a telephone call with one of our business coaches who asks a few initial questions to get an understanding of the idea. Provided that the idea is inline with Chalmers Innovation’s criteria, the coach arranges a meeting, where more questions are asked, and a clearer image of the idea is created. 

If you are a researcher or a doctoral student, we recommend you to apply for the Chalmers Innovation Scholarship and take part in the Researchers Program.

Analysis

A thorough analysis of the idea is commenced for a possible admission to Chalmers Innovation’s pre-incubator process. The main criteria for admission is that the idea is unique, has a global growth potential, is high-tech, and that there is an open attitude an willingness in the innovator to start a rapid-growth company.

Projects are accepted to Chalmers Innovation’s pre-incubator after the analysis of a business coach, both through a meeting and following the submission of a written idea description.

All exchanges of information between the innovator and Chalmers Innovation is strictly confidential. When the business coach has made a first assessment of the idea and the submitted material, the innovator will be asked to presents the idea the admission committee at Chalmers Innovation. The committee consists of all business coaches that jointly decide whether a collaboration should be commenced. The decision consists of several aspects, the collaboration’s continuous conditions, goals for the duration of the period, and how much funds that that can be offered during said period. In collaboration with the inventor, Chalmers innovation’s ownership of the idea is determined. The inventor and Chalmers Innovation, have 6 weeks following the presentation to agree on milestones and draw up the necessary agreements.

Admission decision

The decision will be announced by the coach you have been in contact with during the evaluation phase, at the latest 1 week after the decision was made. The usual development time in the pre-incubator is 6 months but can vary depending on the determined goals for the period. The goals are divided in two groups, the overall and the specific. The overall goals for all projects are forming a company, evaluating business models, verify market segments, verify the technique, and drawing up a business plan. In addition, specific goals will be determined since all projects are unique.

Start

Firstly, a coach will be appointed to manage the communication surrounding your idea. You will have meetings at regular intervals to drive the commercialization process. The next step is to draw up a detailed activity plan for the duration of the pre-incubation period to obtain the goals.  

Besides developing the business idea according to a structured process, individual plans for all involved in the project will be drawn up. The objective is to create a continuous competence development and Chalmers Innovation has its own customized training programme for start-ups. Necessary recruitments will also be done during this period. Chalmers Innovation can also recruit project managers to complement the areas the innovator is unable to complete. The project is during this time run from one of Chalmers Innovation’s offices.

Continuation

The work conducted during the pre-incubation process is aimed at increasing the value and content of the idea as efficiently as possible during a limited time. If the joint work is productive and the goals have been reached, there is a chance to continue the collaboration with Chalmers Innovation during an incubation period.

To be able to join the incubator process, the same requirements, in an entrepreneurially managed high-tech idea, as for the pre-incubator apply. In addition, an inclusive business plan and forming a company are required. The goals of the incubator phase is to obtain a repeatable deal, customers in new markets, a developed organization including a professional board of directors, and a guaranteed long-term finances. A committee consisting of external members, not employed at Chalmers Innovation, decides if the company should be admitted to the incubator or not. This decision is obviously following an expressed will from the company to expand its collaboration Chalmers Innovation’s incubator.

Chalmers Innovation has the funds to invest an additional amount maximum 300,000 SEK following a separate negotiation against more shares of the company.