DRIVE Life Science Business Incubator
Call for new start-ups!
Application open June 10 to August 23
Grow your Health or Life Science Business Start-up in a unique environment.
Through the incubator DRIVE at KI Innovations you get the opportunity to develop your business idea, build your network and grow your start-up in a community of Health and Human Life Science start-ups, supported by your coach and our extensive expert network.
For what type of company?
Start-ups in the Human Health Life Science field with a validated science-based business idea and a core team with the ambition to grow a scalable business with global potential.
Application opens 10 June 2024
What do you receive?
- Opportunity to apply for smaller pre-seed investment from our holding company, KI Holding AB.
- During October 2024 – January 2025 the start-up participates in an introductory hands-on entrepreneurial programme resulting in a sharpened business plan.
- Participation in the yearly DRIVE InvestorDay, DRIVE TeamDay and DRIVE HealthDay, and get exposure at additional partnering/financing events.
- DRIVE-community co-learning activities and seminar series.
- Access to sponsored (time limited) co-working space on KI campus at AWL Innomedicum.
- Support in business development, pitch training, regulatory and IP strategy, market and pricing strategy, network building, team development and exposure to partnering and financing opportunities such as the KI DRIVE investor network.
- An individual business advisor assigned and possibility to apply for co-financing of selected business development activities.
What do you need to invest?
The start-up signs up for one year at a time for a maximum of three years (longer times may apply for certain deeptech technologies), as determined by recurring progress evaluations. You are expected to invest significant time in your team, your company, and be part of the community. You also accept that you need to report back to KI Innovations and Vinnova on progress. You preferably are based in/close to Stockholm or occasionally being able to travel for physical events, workshops and other meet-ups organized by us.
What does it cost?
The DRIVE-membership is currently free of charge. DRIVE is financed by Karolinska Institutet and partners as well as by the Vinnova Excellens program.
Admission process
The assessment is based on the application, an interview by KI Innovations, and an evaluation by an external advisory board. Application decisions are based on the criteria listed below, interviews, pitches, and a summative assessment thereof.
Who can apply?
USP: The company (possible to be in company formation phase) should be based on the innovation being Novel, Unique and Evidence based.
Product area: Human Health Life Sciences. This is a broad definition and includes for example: Healthcare, Medtech, Diagnostics, Pharma, Biotech and Digital Health (incl. AI).
Technology readiness: Analytical and experimental Proof of Concept of critical function and/or characteristics of the technology in the laboratory shown.
- For therapeutics: Early Proof of Principle/Pharmacology (PoP) with tool compound demonstrated in relevant (disease-related) ex vivo or in vivo model.
- For medtech devices: PoP of prototype demonstrated in relevant laboratory- and/or animal models.
- For digital health tech: Basic system components integrated and tested regarding preliminary efficiency and reliability to verify that they will work together. Architecture development initiated (e.g. interoperability, reliability).
Customer readiness: Primary customer segment is identified. Clear hypothesis on the problem/need to be addressed and tested with a few potential customers and/or market experts.
Team: The company has an active, dedicated, and coachable CEO and core team. Some key competences present. Skill- and resource gaps for the coming 1-2 years defined, and a recruitment plan to address these gaps is available.
Business/Market: Products should be targeted towards going global, but the company shall not have any recurring sales. An early version of a value proposition and business concept with a market size estimate is available. Overview of direct and indirect competition is done.
Sustainability: Companies aiming to reach global sustainability (SDG2030) goals. They shall have some awareness on how sustainability affects the planned business, with hypotheses on possible positive and negative effects for e.g. health care, the society, environment etc.
The DRIVE-membership is based on Vinnova target group criteria and state (GBER22) support regulations, where guidelines apply. Below is an extract of some criteria:
- Company age: Maximum 5 years and registered in Sweden.
- Ownership: Majority ownership by founders.
- Sales: Pilot sales are OK, but not recurring sales on commercial terms.
Important dates 2024*
10 JUN Application opens, APPLY HERE
10 JUN Digital information meeting at 12.00-13.00, at Teams. No registration needed
15 AUG Digital information meeting at 12.00-13.00, at Teams. No registration needed – Follow this link
If you missed the meeting, welcome to take part of the recording and the slides here
Information video _application_DRIVE4.mp4
DRIVE presentation utlysning 2024_10Juni Public
AUG 23, midnight Application deadline
26 AUG – 20 SEP Evaluation period
25 – 27 SEP Pitching & Interviews of selected candidates Book placeholders for these dates already now!
30 SEP Final evaluation
1 – 11 OCT Admission decision and Sign-up
16 OCT KICK OFF and workshop
OCT 2023 – JAN 205 CATALYZER – Entrepreneurial training
JAN 2024 CATALYZER program Final “Dragons den” with pitch
FEB 2025 Matching with Individual DRIVE Business Coach
* All dates except the application deadline are subject of change, keep up to date by on our web.
NB: We plan for both physical and digital workshops and events!
*all dates except the application deadline are subject of change, keep informed by our webpage and e-mails
Should you have any questions, feel free to contact our project coordinator
Annika Österdahl Wåhlberg at annika.osterdahl.wahlberg@kiinnovations.se
More information from the digital information meeting: