Every year, around 40 researchers and students at Linköping University receive support through Vinnova’s Verification for Growth (VFT) program. The support is used for patents, regulatory advice and market verification – crucial efforts to take research ideas further towards commercialization. New funds are now available to apply for.
The VFT program allows for early exploration of market needs, protecting ideas and in some cases strengthening the team with business expertise.
– For many researchers, commercialization is a big step and the VFT support creates security and better conditions for a successful journey, says Magnus Krogh, business coach at LEAD.
One of the projects supported in recent years is TRiXi, which is developing a method to detect skewed X-inactivation, which could help speed up the diagnosis of certain genetic diseases.
The project has received VFT funding to patent the innovation and prepare regulatory steps. Today, TRiXi has been accepted for incubation at LEAD and is on its way to company formation.
For Colm Nestor, a researcher at Linköping University and founder of TRiXi, the support was crucial:
– “The VFT funding acted as a catalyst that took us from a promising idea to a concept with clear commercial potential. This kind of early support gives researchers the confidence to believe in their idea and take the first steps from research to innovation,” says Colm Nestor.
Several projects from 2024-2025 show how early support can yield tangible results; Cognible AI has sharpened its offering and raised investment. Radar Reticence has recruited a CEO, secured funding and demonstrated its technology. The Goldene materials project has applied for a patent and reached an industrial partner agreement.
What they all have in common is that early, targeted interventions create crucial shifts, from research results to business.
– “With the right support at the right time, ideas are more likely to develop into solutions that actually reach out and make a difference in society,” says Magnus Krogh.
Researchers and students at Linköping University with a business idea can apply for VFT support through LiU Holding by contacting LiU Innovation or their business coach at the business incubator LEAD.
– “We are pleased that Vinnova sees the results of the work with VFT at LiU and has granted new funds for the period 2026-2027,” concludes Johan Lilliecreutz, CEO of LiU Holding.
