About the Pioneer program
The Pioneer program is tailored for teams developing ventures based on advanced technology, so called deeptech. If you have passed the idea stage and feel ready to accelerate your development towards the market, the Pioneer program might be for you.
This program is for teams where timing, ambition and commitment align. Here you will get support to make crucial decisions, build the right skills and take your venture all the way to the market.
KTH Innovation runs the program in collaboration with KTH Holding, one of Sweden's most experienced deeptech investors. In the program, you get guidance, networking and funding opportunities at the right stage.
From science to business
Commercializing a research-based innovation requires more than technology - it requires entrepreneurship. That's why we invite experienced entrepreneurs and company builders to contribute with their knowledge and network. Venture builders are not employees, but independent actors who are part of the program and see the potential in new technology and in investing their time in building companies from scratch.
What is venture creation?
Venture creation is about actively creating the foundation for and forming companies. Unlike traditional incubators and venture capital firms, which often work with existing start-ups we work with early-stage projects, technologies and intellectual property. We aim to develop and mature these into scalable and fundable companies - ventures. This includes aspects such as building a team, or finding a business model and funding strategy. Hence, the Pioneer program is open if you have a company or not and if you have a team or not.
Autonomy, not control
Pioneer offers a platform where researchers and entrepreneurs can develop their ideas, explore business strategies and find the right partners - without immediate market pressure. We believe in an organic process where driven teams and experienced company builders find each other through a shared commitment, not through forced matching.
Pioneer is a meeting place for driven researchers and entrepreneurs with a shared vision - not a system where teams are randomly put together. It provides both psychological safety and clear momentum, so that the right people can take the right steps at the right time.
How Pioneer works
Pioneer is structured to provide support and momentum without creating unnecessary administration. The program follows a clear rhythm, where teams retain their autonomy but have access to continuous support in different forms.
Weekly focus and guidance
Each week, teams share their priorities with their coach to keep the momentum going and ensure they focus on the right things. On Mondays, there are also weekly check-ins – short online sessions for those who want to get guidance, new contacts or discuss their goals with others.
Monthly workshops
Once a month, we meet in person for three hours of in-depth discussions where you will meet external guests and learn from other teams and our venture builders. These sessions create a dynamic environment where insights are shared and solutions take shape.
Tailor-made advice
For more specific challenges, teams can book up to three 'doctor's appointments' every season - targeted meetings where we bring together the right expertise to solve concrete problems, from pricing to storytelling. We allocate funding for such experts and advisors.
Market validation sprints with Venture Builders
To test critical assumptions, teams can conduct a validation sprint each season, where a 50,000 SEK non-dilutive budget is used to conduct targeted market validation sprint during 1-2 months. Here, a venture builder works hands-on with the team to design experiments, collect data and refine the strategy.