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BootUp

Do you have a business idea you want to explore? Then LEAD's BootUp program is your perfect first step!

BootUp is a business development program for those who want to find out if their idea can grow into a successful and scalable business. For three months, you will receive tools, coaching and a valuable network that will help you move your idea forward quickly.

Through workshops, inspirational talks and coaching, you will be supported to:

  • Test and validate your business idea
  • Prepare for a potential investment

The program concludes with a pitchDay, where you’ll pitch to a panel of investors.

During the program, we’ll cover the basics of building and growing a business. You’ll work on developing a simple business model, identifying and segmenting your target market, and verifying that there is a genuine need for your solution.

We also cover intellectual property rights, such as IP and patents, and discuss how to build a company with the right structure and conditions for growth.

In addition, you’ll receive an introduction to various financing options, develop your presentation skills, and learn how to integrate sustainability as a natural part of business development.

We place a strong emphasis on self-leadership and your personal development as an entrepreneur.

  • Duration: 12 weeks
  • Start: twice a year (March & September)
  • Location: LEAD in Linköping
  • Number: 10-12 startups per program
  • Cost: Free of charge
  • The program accepts applicants from all over Östergötland
  • Time commitment: Expect at least 8 hours per week. LEAD sessions are held every other Thursday throughout the program. The work also includes independent study and interviews with potential clients.
    Dates for meetings HT26: 17/9, 1/10, 15/10, 29/10, 12/11, 26/11 (DemoDay), 10/12.

The next round of BootUp will start 17th of September 2026. You can register your interest by booking a meeting with a business coach. Just fill in the form below.

VFT
I/we own the idea and/or the IP behind the idea
I/we have a registered company to commercialize the idea
LiU offers innovation advisors either from LiU Innovation or Student Innovation by LiU, if you have an innovation advisor, choose your advisor in the list below:
LEAD is the Business Incubator connected to LiU. Have you been in contact with LEAD before? If yes, who is your Business Coach?
Location
Outline your idea for a product/service/solution and how it will solve the customer’s problem. Be concise, to-the-point (1-2 sentences).
Describe the customer’s or market’s key problem or unmet need are you addressing. Who is the customer, i.e. having the problem/need and is willing to pay for resolving it? What will happen if the need is not met? Can you somehow quantify the market (overall size, prices, growth trends, geography, etc.)?
Describe your solution, broadly speaking, and the most important aspects of your approach (strategy, business model etc.). How will this approach allow you to reach the customers and address their need?
Describe the benefits a customer will experience by using your approach. Can you quantify the value (money/time/convenience/improved quality etc.) for the customer? At what cost for the customer, e.g. investments in rebuilding and/or reorganizing to implement?
Describe the competition, i.e. other ways of addressing the same problem/need. Why does your solution represent the best value for the customer? Can you name some competitor companies?
How would you describe the current situation of development of the idea in a commercial direction? Self-assess what you have achieved team-wise, customer-wise, IP-wise and technology-wise in the dropdown menus below.
What do you see as the next step in your commercialization journey?
Who is behind the idea? What kind of knowledge/background do you bring to the project? (State the names of all initial founders and their roles within the project/company)
Confirmation
The application above does not contain detailed information about the invention that may be sensitive in relation to patenting.
GDPR