Drawing from the obvious role models in the incubation space, Fuchs drew from the best parts of the AaltoVG and YCombinator model, but modified it to fit the Swedish ecosystem. “Stockholm doesn’t have the ecosystem to handle the seed environment,” he says, but sees Student Inc. as fulfilling a much needed role and transitioning early-stage startups into successful candidates for later stage Stockholm incubators, such as STING, the large official incubator at KTH.
Startups can apply just by getting in touch, but one method of getting accepted to the incubation space is to compete in Excitera’s case competitions. These can include Game Development, Mobile Services, or so on. The winners receive a three month trial period at the innovation space, but then must “pitch for their life” to independent members of KTH to see whether they have reached their initial goals or fulfill enough requirements to stay for longer periods of time.
If they are accepted, they can stay for another six months and receive further funding, coaching, and the network effects of being at Student Inc.
A major goal of Fuchs is to keep building a great culture as well as a “winning environment” where the startups are the center of attention. Here in Finland the Aaltoes kids have really helped put startups into the consciousness of regular students, so I really see the benefits of accomplishing the same goals through parties and other fun events. Aaltoes is a little bit older but has shot up quickly. Hopefully we’ll see the same tight culture build up in other Nordic and Baltic universities.
Ninety percent of Student Inc’s workshops and events are open to everyone, so stay tuned to their Twitter and Facebook page.
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Current projects at Student Inc. include:
www.attendium.com
www.audioapps.se
www.blicko.com
www.comparific.com
www.cvfy.me
www.degoo.com
www.fundfriends.se
www.getlinkafy.com
www.studentity.se