Uppsala Product Market Fit 2018

Important results from the project

The aim was for more innovators to test their business ideas in an early phase. A total of 160 applications were received by the project (target 100). The project granted support to 46 innovators (target 60). Despite focused efforts, the proportion of women receiving support was 26% (target 50%). A total of 59% of the innovators have received guidance from at least two members in the project organization, in addition to support from the project. 67% of the innovators state that they have started or are about to start a company.

Expected long term effects

The project resulted in innovators testing their business ideas in an early phase. The project also led to enhanced collaboration within the business support system. The project has become a point of contact with new innovators, and at the same time has led to a greater understanding of how we best complement each other to offer innovators the best possible support. A long-term expected effect is that more viable companies start and develop in the Uppsala region. The result looks promising as a number of innovators started their businesses during the project.

Approach and implementation

The project group´s composition of various business support organizations has been an important key to the project´s success. Complementing the project support with the project partners´ standard activities in the form of guidance has been an effective and well-functioning way to run the project. The purchase of external services for validation meant that the innovators were offered expert support in testing their ideas but also meant excessive administration. The project administration has taken more time than expected despite efforts to minimize the workload.