Ideate Program
Ideate is a fast-paced venture building program where students from SSE, the Karolinska Institutet (KI), the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and the GIH Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences come together to form teams and build business ideas that take on global challenges.
Quick info
When? The next application opens on October 14, 2026. If you want to be notified when that happens - sign up here: www.ssebl.com/ideate-closed.
Where? In person, alternating between SSE Business Lab's and KTH Innovation's premises.
Who can apply? Current students and recent graduates at SSE, KTH, GIH, and KI.
What's included? Five sessions covering different early-stage topics, guest lectures with invited entrepreneurs, and a pitch session with feedback from an expert jury. Teams also get business coaching from both SSE Business Lab and KTH Innovation. There is a cash prize for the winner of the pitch competition.
You apply as an individual. With support from KTH Innovation and SSE Business Lab, you'll be inspired to team up with people whose skills complement your own and shape ideas worth pursuing.
The program runs across both the Fall and Spring terms, with weekly sessions alternating between the Stockholm School of Economics and KTH Innovation's premises.
Stay in the Loop
Applications for the next round open in Fall 2026. To know when, keep an eye on our admissions page and follow us on LinkedIn, where we announce dates and program updates first.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply with an idea? You can apply with a problem you'd like to solve and explore during the program, but it's not a requirement.
Can I apply with an existing team? You apply as an individual. The purpose of the program is to find teams, and a problem worth solving. Therefore, admissions will be assessed on an individual basis.
What if I can't attend certain workshops? If you already know you'll miss two or more, consider joining the next round of Ideate instead. The Fall 2026 program will be announced across our social media channels.
What happens after the program? If you click with a team and an idea, you can seek continued support from KTH Innovation and/or SSE Business Lab. Many participants have gone on to join the Business Lab program and KTH Innovation Launch.
Any examples of startups that started at Ideate? A few:
- Agteria Biotech, a feed additive that can cut methane emissions by over 70%
- Tidings, a news app that helps users navigate information overload
- Asent, an AI text analysis tool that runs 400x faster than GPT-4
- Elyra, offers AI-powered restaurant systems that manage bookings and communication (YC Spring batch 2026)
Do we have to continue with our team after the program? No obligation at all. Whether you form a startup, join another team, or simply make new friends, it all counts.
How much time does the program take? The weekly sessions run 90–120 minutes. Beyond that, expect to put in 5–10 hours a week on your idea. How much more your team commits is entirely up to you. The more you give to the program, the more you'll get out of it.