New Competition to Help Students Realize Their Business Ideas
04 Apr 2025
The Startup Challenge is where students, researchers, and doctoral candidates at University West can compete for SEK 25,000 and support in further developing their business ideas. The competition is organized by Innovatum Science Park and University West in collaboration with the company Skill.
"We know that there are many driven students with innovative business ideas that they want to realize, and doctoral candidates who want to commercialize their research. Our hope is that the competition will inspire them to take the step," says Alexandra Bousiou, Innovation Advisor at University West.
The winner receives SEK 25,000 and business development support through Innovatum Science Park's incubator and University West's Innovation Office.
"Through our support, we give the winner the right conditions to realize the idea and help them avoid many of the pitfalls that are common on entrepreneurial journeys. Here, our business coaches, who themselves have backgrounds as entrepreneurs, provide support," says Eivind Vogel-Rödin, Head of Startup Operations at Innovatum Science Park.
Open to Business Ideas in All Industries
The competition, which runs until May 11, is open to business ideas in all types of industries. The important thing is that the solutions presented meet a clear market need, are innovative, have great growth potential, and contribute to sustainable development. It is possible to compete alone or in teams.
"At Skill, we want to create conditions for people to grow, and supporting this business idea competition is a great opportunity to encourage students and doctoral candidates to realize their innovative ideas," says Christian Andersson-Gran, COO at Skill.
Business Pitch Lecture with Multi-Entrepreneur
The competition concludes with a finally in Trollhättan at the end of May, where the winner is announced. But before that, everyone at University West who is interested will be offered a pitch lecture with multi-entrepreneur Deborah Lygonis, where they will get the tools to refine their pitching techniques.
"A success factor for selling your idea to others is to be able to present it concisely and powerfully. Deborah, who holds the lecture, has many years of experience pitching herself and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs with this," Eivind concludes.