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Here are the new profiles in SSE’s popular entrepreneurial program

Earlier this year, The Stockholm School of Economics and their venture incubator SSE Business Lab launched the new program Ideate, intended to encourage more students to start their own companies. Now the program is back, and with entrepreneurs who have founded companies like Oatly, Karma and Kobalt Music, the program is once again filled with some real star power.

With companies like Voi Technology, Budbee and Klarna in its portfolio, SSE Business Lab has undeniably been doing well in its role to help the success stories of tomorrow. When the Ideate program was launched earlier this year, it meant the incubator could also support entrepreneurs at an even earlier stage. In the ten week long program, students have the possibility to apply as individuals, but would leave the programs having found a team and a business idea addressing a global challenge.

Now the program is back with the support of even more entrepreneurial star power. Willard Ahdritz who is the founder of Kobalt Music, the digital music giant who disrupted an entire industry, is one of the speakers in the program. Another is Lisa Lindström, who for almost 20 years led the successful design agency Doberman who recently were acquired by EY. Björn Öste, who is the founder of Oatly, and Elsa Bernadotte, who has founded Karma, are also taking part in the program to share their experiences and expertise.

"To be asked to come to the Stockholm School of Economics and Ideate to share my knowledge is an honour and a lot of fun. Hopefully my experience from Karma, and the other companies Ihave founded, can be an inspiration to these students. I’m looking forward to it, it’s going to be a blast", says Elsa Bernadotte.

The program ends with the companies, which have been formed during the program, presenting their pitch in front of an expert jury, who decide which team gets to win prizes from partners like Stockholms Borgerskap, Accenture, Dell and BOARDA. The fact that the entrepreneurs get this strong support in the program is something that pleases Julia Delin, the CEO of SSE Business Lab.

"We saw great results from the first program where several of the teams that were formed went on to actively continue working on their ideas, and even applied to our other programs. The fact that we now are able to continue supporting students who want to start their own companies,
with engaged partners and speakers with inspiring backgrounds, is truly amazing", she says.

Applications for the program are open until September 26, and the program starts on October 7. For now, the program is only open to students at the Stockholm School of Economics, but in the future, students from other universities will be able to participate.

Are you a current student at the Stockholm School of Economics interested in participating? Apply through ssebl.com/ideate.

About the speakers in the program:

Willard Ahdritz
Willard Ahdritz has throughout his career founded businesses focused on a passion for music. He has built Kobalt Music into a top 3 global music publisher, transformed digital record label AWAL into the biggest brand in MaaS, set up AMRA, the first global digital collection society, built the biggest neighboring rights business and Kobalt Capital, the first regulated music royalty fund manager with US$1.5bn AUM. Willard is also an SSE alumnus.

Lisa Lindström
Lisa Lindström has since 2003 led the digital design agency Doberman, which under her leadership became one of Sweden’s most well renowned and successful agencies. Doberman was recently acquired by EY, where Lisa today is the Chief Experience Officer. She has served on the board of organizations like SOS Barnbyar, Avanza, UR and The Swedish American Chamber of Commerce, New York. Lisa is a Hyper Island alumnus and has also been a board member of the school.

Björn Öste
Björn Öste is a serial entrepreneur who has founded companies like Good Idea Drinks, Aventure AB and Crop Tailor AB. He is also one of the founders of Oatly, who completely changed the game for plant-based dairy and recently were listed on the Nasdaq Exchange. His experience spans from the start-up to the global corporate landscape as a food tech guru, sustainability
mentor, and expert in progressive technology.

Elsa Bernadotte
Elsa Bernadotte is the co-founder and COO of Karma. Elsa is passionate about creating a motivated high-growth organisation to galvanise the first zero food waste generation. Prior to founding Karma, Elsa founded Pop Fruits, a healthy ice-cream alternative where she spearheaded operations in four markets. Elsa sold the company and soon thereafter founded Karma. Elsa has featured on the Forbes ’30 under 30’ list, Business Weekly’s “Most Powerful Businesswoman in Sweden 2019”, Ledarna’s ‘Top 75 Female Leaders in Sweden’ 2018-2021 and Dagens Industri’s ’40 hottest serial entrepreneurs under 40’.

Fact box
When? The program runs from October 7 to December 9. Applications will open September 15 and be open until September 26.
Where? The Stockholm School of Economics.
Who can apply? Current students at the Stockholm School of Economics.
What’s included in the program? Four workshops covering different topics, four guest lectures with invited entrepreneurs and a pitch session with feedback from an expert jury.

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