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STOCKHOLM SCHOOL
OF ECONOMICS

Apply to Activate

For our Activate program, we are looking for ambitious teams with a business case they want to explore and further validate into a real business venture.

Selection criteria

Please check out our example Activate pitch deck to see how we would like the criteria presented.

We assess your business case based on how the content of your application can effectively communicate the following:

  • Business potential: Your business case is scalable and has growth potential. You understand the competitive landscape and can present your value proposition.

  • Validation: While you may not have a final product, you have started conducting research indicating a market need for your solution.

  • Team and diversity: We only accept teams consisting of at least two people. You have a team in place with the necessary competencies to develop your idea. You showcase team diversity or can present how you plan to incorporate diversity strategically.

  • Sustainability: You should be able to explain how you will work to ensure the positive impact of your business exceeds the negative impact long term.

  • SSE-associated entrepreneurs: At least one founder has to be a student, alumn or faculty member at SSE or be associated with the School in another way. If you aren't any of the above, but you've previously been in one of SSE Business Lab's programs as a co-founder, your startup is also eligible. 

  • Commitment: One founding team member can commit at least 50% of work-time during the program, and at least one member of the team can attend each coaching session and other program activities (5–8 hours a week). Our program activities are held around lunchtime and evenings to fit a traditional full-time schedule.

Please note that meeting these criteria firstly qualifies you for a check-in meeting. In this meeting, our team will ask additional questions to thoroughly understand your case. A positive assessment may lead to an invitation to pitch your startup to our Board of Admissions, who have the final say in our admissions process.

The idea must follow the SSE Business Lab Ethical Guidelines (eg. no alcohol or betting ventures etc.). Venture capital and pure consulting/service firms are also not eligible.

Content of application

Your pitch deck should be no more than 11 slides and include:

  • Problem: What problem are you solving?

  • Solution: What is your solution to the problem?

  • Market/Customers: What is your market (size, geography) and who are your customers (channel(s) to reach them)?

  • ICP: Define your ideal customer profile.

  • Competition: Describe the competitive landscape and if someone has succeeded with this on another/similar market/segment.

  • Team: Describe your team, and your view on diversity.

  • Business model: Describe your business model (how you will, or intend to, create revenue).

  • Scalability: Describe how you can scale the idea if you make it into a business.

  • Sustainability: Describe how you work, or intend to work, with sustainability.

Your final application to SSE Business Lab should not be larger than 4 MB in size. Save everything in one file and name it "SSEBL_[Company name]_Application". Submit your application by attaching it when completing the application form above. We accept applications in Swedish or English.