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PRE-STEP Team Development for Early-Stage Entrepreneurs

Reference number
Coordinator Create Business Incubator Mälardalen AB
Funding from Vinnova SEK 1 610 324
Project duration October 2023 - October 2025
Status Ongoing
Venture Inkubationsstöd
Call Development projects in incubators 2022 to 2024

Important results from the project

The project developed PRE-STEP, a new concept that strengthens the team factor in the early phase. Through the pilot, about 30 tools were created around competence supply, team development, incentive structure and updated TMRL (TeaM Readiness Level within KTH Innovation Readiness Levels). Through tests with startup teams and coaches the value was confirmed. PRE-STEP creates clarity, a common language and better conditions for funding, recruitment and team building in the early phase.

Expected long term effects

The next step is a national rollout project where PRE-STEP is scaled up and made available to more entrepreneurs, researchers and coaches/advisors. The focus will be on developing a digital platform for the tool wall and dissemination efforts. The ambition is to establish PRE-STEP as a national framework linked to TMRL (Team Readiness Level, KTH Innovation), so that more early-stage teams can develop faster, find investments and build long-term sustainable companies.

Approach and implementation

The tools from the pilot can be likened to a visualized tool wall connected to KTH Innovations TeaM Readiness Level (TMRL). Coaches describe that the tools fill a crucial gap in innovation support. Entrepreneurs and researchers describe in-depth insights into roles, recruitment, psychological safety and the next steps in team building. The results show that PRE-STEP strengthens innovation support through relevant tools and creates the conditions for more well-functioning teams in formation.

External links

The project description has been provided by the project members themselves and the text has not been looked at by our editors.

Last updated 18 November 2025

Reference number 2023-03446