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Program

BootUp

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

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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 begins on September 17, 2026. You can express your interest by scheduling a meeting with a business coach.

Become a member
Location
In which city is your team primarily located at the moment? LEAD mainly works with companies in Östergötland or those with a strong connection to the region.
Briefly describe the idea/product/service and how it connects to the customer’s problem. (1–2 sentences)
What is the problem you believe your product/service solves? Who has this problem?
How does your product/service solve the problem? What benefits does your solution/product provide to your intended customers? What is different / unique / new / innovative / disruptive about your solution/product? How far along are you in product development and validation?
Describe your intended customer and who your future user is. How can the customer value be assessed?
Who is behind the idea? What knowledge/background are you bringing into the project? (Provide the names of all founders and their roles within the project/company)
State the number of female/male founders in your team.
Book an initial meeting with a coach
The meeting will be about 45 minutes. Would you like to meet in person at LEAD in Linköping (Teknikringen 7) or digitally for your first meeting?
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Article

From research to business - Sukanya's journey through BootUp

Making the leap from academia to entrepreneurship can be a challenging but exciting process. For Sukanya Maity, a postdoctoral researcher at Linköping University, LEAD’s business development program BootUp was a crucial milestone in turning research into a potential business opportunity.

Read the article