Go to main navigation Navigation menu Skip navigation Home page Search

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. Check out our example Activate pitch deck to see how we want the criteria presented.

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

  • Business potential: You are able to communicate why your team and idea have potential.

  • Validation: While you may not have a final product, you have started conducting some research indicating a market need for it.

  • Team & Diversity: We only accept teams consisting of at least two people. You have a team in place with the necessary competencies to execute on your idea, and can present how you plan to incorporate diversity strategically.

  • Sustainability: You should be able to explain how you will work to ensure the positive impact of your business exceeds the negative impact long term.

  • SSE-associated entrepreneurs: At least one founder has to be a student, alumnus or faculty member at SSE or associated to the school in another way. If you aren't any of the above, but you've previously been in one of SSE Business Lab's programs, your startup is also eligible.
  • 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 11 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)?
  • ICP: Define your ideal customer profile.
  • Competition: Describe the competitive landscape and if someone has succeeded with this on another/similar market/segment.
  • Team: Describe your team, and your view on diversity
  • 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
  • Conclusion: Give a final impression that lasts or state what you’d like to get out of the pitch

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 the application form above. We accept applications in Swedish or English.