Apply to Activate

At Activate, we are looking for ambitious teams with an idea they want to explore and further develop into a real business venture.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applications to the Activate program at SSE Business Lab should meet the following criteria.

Engagement: You have an idea, a team, and the drive to activate your idea
Business maturity: You want to validate your project but do not yet have a prototype
Business potential: You are able to communicate why your team and idea have potential
Team: At least one person from each area of expertise relevant for your idea: example: Business, Tech, Marketing/Growth
SSE-associated entrepreneurs: At least one founder has to be a student, alumnus or faculty member at SSE or Konstfack or associated with either school in another way

Part-time commitment: You can commit 50% of work-time during the program, and at least one member of the team can attend each coaching session and workshop (coaching and workshops are during lunch-hour and evenings).

The idea must follow the SSE Business Lab Ethical Guidelines (eg. no alcohol or betting ventures etc.). Venture capital and pure consulting/service firms are also not eligible.

CONTENT OF APPLICATION

Pitch deck should be no more than 10 slides and include:

Problem: What problem are you solving?
Solution: What is your solution to the problem?
Market/Customers: What is your market (size, geography) and who are your customers (channel(s) to reach them)?
Business model: Describe your business model (how you will, or intend to, create revenue)
Scalability: Describe how you can scale the idea if you make it into a business
Sustainability: Describe how you work, or intend to work, with sustainability
Team: Describe your team, and your view on diversity
Conclusion: Give a final impression that lasts or state what you’d like to get out of the pitch

You will also receive 3 tests assessing personality, motivation and logical reasoning. These tests will be sent to you once the application period has closed. All founders are to complete the tests within a few days, make sure to dedicate at least 1 hour for this. Important: If you have not received the test by lunch on the day after the admission deadline, immediately contact katarina.karringer@assessio.se

Your final application to SSE Business Lab should not be larger than 4 MB in size. Save everything in one file and name it "SSEBL_[Company name]_Application". Submit your application by attaching it when completing this application form. We accept applications in Swedish or English.

Apply now

PROGRAM DATES 2021

Spring semester (8 weeks)

Program: 29 Mar - 28 May 2021
Application deadline: 28 Feb 2021
Pitch: TBA Mar 2021

Summer semester (8 weeks)

Program: Jun 21 - Aug 20 2021
Application deadline: May 30 2021
Pitch: TBA Jun 2021

Fall semester (8 weeks)

Program: Nov 1 - Jan 21 2022
Application deadline: Oct 3 2021
Pitch: TBA Oct 2021

APPLICATION PROCESS

1) Submit application
The application should be submitted before the deadline.

2) Assessment tests
All founders will also receive three tests that assess personality, motivation and logical reasoning. These tests take about an hour to complete.

3) Check-in meeting
You will be invited to meet with someone from SSE Business Lab during the following days after the deadline.

4) Selection
If you are selected, you will be informed that you have moved on to pitch in front of the Advisory Board. The Advisory Board will have been sent the pitch deck you applied with beforehand.

5) Pitch to the Advisory Board
If you are selected for the Advisory Board pitch you will be asked to submit a 3-minute pre-recorded pitch, which the Advisory Board will assess.

The decision about your admission to Activate will be communicated within 48 hours of the Advisory Board's decision. Successful applicants will receive access to SSE Business Lab at the communicated start date of each batch.