Business idea competition returns – encouraging students to turn ideas into reality

The competition is organised by Innovatum Science Park and University West in collaboration with Skill.

The competition is open until 3 May, and the winner will be announced on stage during the investment event Startup Investment Night in Trollhättan on 21 May.

“Last year’s entries showed the incredible innovation potential at University West. This year we hope that even more participants will use the competition as a starting point to develop their business ideas or take the step towards commercialising their research,” says Markus Sulkupuro, Business Advisor at Innovatum Science Park and Innovation Advisor at University West.

In addition to the prize money, the winner will receive business advisory support through Innovatum Science Park’s incubator and University West’s innovation office. The prize money is sponsored by the competence company Skill.

“At Skill, we are passionate about creating opportunities for people to grow. By supporting Startup Challenge, we want to encourage more people to believe in their ideas and dare to pursue them,” says Christian Andersson-Gran, Chief Operating Officer at Skill.

Open to ideas from all industries

The competition is open to business ideas from all industries. The key requirement is that the solutions presented address a clear market need, are innovative, have strong growth potential, and contribute to sustainable development. Participants can compete individually or as part of a team.

SQUARE won last year’s competition

When the competition was organised for the first time in 2025, the winning team was SQUARE.

The team is developing lightweight, autonomous delivery robots for urban environments. Using AI-based navigation, the robots are designed to find the shortest route to the recipient. The goal is to contribute to reduced emissions and more flexible delivery solutions.

Since winning the competition, the four master’s students have founded a limited company, begun developing their prototype, expanded their team, attracted market interest, and been accepted into Innovatum Science Park’s incubator.

More information about the competition.

About the business idea competition Startup Challenge

Startup Challenge is a business idea competition aimed at students, researchers and doctoral candidates at University West. The winner receives SEK 25,000 in start-up capital from Skill, along with business development support from Innovatum Science Park’s incubator and University West’s innovation office. The winner will be announced during the investment event Startup Investment Night on 21 May in Trollhättan. The competition is organised by Innovatum Science Park and University West in collaboration with the competence company Skill.