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The Pioneer Program

Accelerating deeptech innovation

Powered by KTH Innovation and KTH Holding

Deeptech innovation in focus

Deeptech innovation drives industry transformation and tackles global challenges. Yet, turning cutting-edge research into real-world impact is a journey marked by complexity, uncertainty, and long timelines. The Pioneer program was created to navigate these challenges and accelerate the path from discovery to market.

The Pioneer program addresses the specific needs of teams developing science-based innovations, focusing specifically on advanced technology, so-called deeptech.

As a joint initiative by KTH Innovation and KTH Holding, the Pioneer program leverages nearly 20 years of expertise within deeptech innovation, strategic investment and venture creation.

Bringing together researchers and experienced entrepreneurs

In the Pioneer program, we aim to create the ideal conditions for creating ventures from science-based technologies.

The program brings together ambitious research teams from KTH and experienced entrepreneurs, so called Venture Builders, creating a space where potential co-founders can meet, collaborate, and form teams organically.

Benefits of the program

Pioneer offers a unique opportunity to fast-track your research-based innovation toward market impact. As a participant, you’ll gain:

  • Tailored Learning and Support: Gain expert guidance, entrepreneurial insights, and learn within a structured and supportive environment.
  • Unparalleled Networking: Connect with industry leaders, experts, entrepreneurs and peer research innovators in the program.
  • Team Expansion: Pair with potential co-founders and advisors with entrepreneurial backgrounds and build a team with skills to bridge the gap between research and commercialization.
  • Funding: Non-dilutive funding for example for market validation or bringing in experts crucial for your project's development (up to 450 000 SEK). Investment capital for patents, team and company establishment (up to 500 000 SEK).
  • Resources for company development: Dedicated support from the KTH Innovation & KTH Holding teams, including legal, incorporation, bookkeeping, board. 

Pioneer is more than a program - it’s a launchpad for researchers committed to transforming their ideas into impactful ventures.

Good to know

Program content: Monthly workshops, weekly online check-ins, and tailored sessions addressing your specific challenges - such as pricing strategy or storytelling.

Time: The program runs in 6 months seasons with the opportunity for support up to 24 months.

Application process for KTH researchers: The teams entering the Pioneer program are handpicked from research-based teams from KTH Innovation's support process. To enter the process, follow this link. 

Terms: Participation in the program is connected to an investment option for KTH Holding.

Application process for Venture Builders: Openings will be announced on KTH Innovation's and KTH Holding's LinkedIn pages. You can also register your interest and we will notify you when we open the next application round. Register your interest.

After the program: After the program you will have established a foundation for the development of your venture, like broadening your networks, having received market validation and having complemented your team.

The core of the Pioneer program

Team up with Venture Builders

The program brings together ambitious research teams and experienced entrepreneurs, so called Venture Builders and facilitates organic matchmaking to create strong teams.

Built for science and deeptech

The Pioneer program addresses the specific needs of teams commercializing advanced technology, so-called deeptech.

The program is adapted to a researcher's context with monthly workshops and the potential for receiving long-term support.

Venture creation

The Pioneer program offers a unique opportunity to fast-track your research-based innovation toward market impact.

The aim is venture creation, establishing companies with a solid foundation to bring new, advanced technology to market.

Funding and resources

The Pioneer program comes with dedicated funding to validate and develop your project (up to 450 000 SEK) as well as the opportunity to get initial investment capital for IP and patents and to establish a company (up to 500 000 SEK).

Benefit from priority support from KTH Innovation and KTH Holding.

Program management

Cecilia Bisgaard

Cecilia Bisgaard is Program and Community Manager at KTH Innovation. 

Hannes Eder Öhrström

Hannes Eder Öhrström is Business Development Coach at KTH Innovation. 

Anna Norelius

Anna Norelius is Venture Developer and Analyst at KTH Holding.

KTH Innovation & KTH Holding

Participants in the program have priority access to the full staff of both KTH Innovation and KTH Holding, whose expertise covers everything from IP and legal matters to investor networking and beyond.

Contact

For questions about the Pioneer program, please email us at innovation@kth.se.

Our Pioneers

The teams in the 2025 program are developing ventures within quantum technology, life science, diagnostics, AI, robotics and more. They will be revealed at a later stage.