Entrepreneurs in Residence is LEAD’s popular trainee program for those who want to develop both as a person and an entrepreneur.
During the program, you work in pairs with a clear mission; to take new ideas or technologies, often directly from researchers at Linköping University, and turn them into real startup companies. You get hands-on experience and learn everything from business development to project management, directly in real cases.
As part of the program, you will receive coaching and support from experienced business coaches at LEAD to help you grow in your role as an entrepreneur. You will receive paid training while trying out entrepreneurship for real, but with no risk.
The aim? To give you the tools, experience and confidence to become the best entrepreneur in the market and a future key person in a startup company.
The program starts in early September each year and the application period is open between January and February.
The application for 2026 opens in January. Sign up to our interest list and you will receive an email when the application opens.
- Develop a broad skill set with tools and methods in business development.
- Evaluate the business potential of the cases and technologies derived from research and/or companies in the region.
- Individual coaching in areas such as leadership, self-leadership and personal development.
- Opportunity to lead real cases with potential to become successful companies.
- Work in an environment with other entrepreneurs and be part of a startup community.
- Opportunity to position yourself as a key person/co-founder in a start-up company.
Initially, the pair will be assigned a number of cases and technologies originating from research and/or companies in the region. The cases are of different nature, but are all related to technology, new innovations and sustainability. Your task will be to identify potential markets, test hypotheses, verify business ideas and develop possible business models together with your colleague in the pair – that is, the first steps on a business journey. You will do this by, among other things:
- Market verification
- Mapping the value chain
- Networking
- Interviews with stakeholders
- Validation of potential business plans
- Work process development and much more.
We believe that you are responsive and reliable with high social skills and enjoy working in close collaboration with another individual. You have an analytical mindset, work in a structured way and are keen to ensure that your work is of high quality. Furthermore, you are likely to be a person who thrives on challenges and you are not afraid to go the extra mile to achieve your goals. During the program, you will be exposed to new innovations and technologies, which means that we value curiosity and problem-solving skills in candidates.
To fit and thrive in the program, we believe that you have a passionate interest in business development and innovations or are motivated by creating benefits and value both for the customer and for society at large. Therefore, we believe that you have an idea or desire to run or become a key person in a start-up company in the future.
Requirements: English. You can express yourself fluently in English in speech and writing.
Merit: An idea or willingness to run or be part of a start-up company in the future.
The majority of the program will be carried out in pairs, which means that we aim to match people with complementary strengths and skills. Therefore, you can apply to the program even if you do not identify with all the characteristics.
Examples from the program
Here you will find some of the exciting cases that LEAD entrepreneurs have worked on during the trainee program and also what can happen after the program ends.
