VFT-1 Umeå university

Purpose and goal

The project was carried out using a stepwise process where the verifications were conducted in close dialogue between the business coach and idea-owners. The process was aiming at increasing the level of maturity of ideas and decreasing risks. During the Spring and Autumn 2014 has several projects/ideas participated in the new Start-up program that focuses on iterating value proposition and customer needs. This has been in line with the objectives , and shifted the focus closer to the customer /user. Students have been involved as ideaowners, student entrepreneurs and in the teams.

Results and expected effects

The project has actively contributed to that new business concepts and ideas from academic research and educational environments have been given the opportunity to undergo an initial evaluation and verification , which is an important step for a future commercialization process . The verification process has been carried out in steps in order to continuously reduce risk and increase the maturity of ideas . Team aspects have been addressed in the project, as well as how we can actively involve students in the verification projects.

Approach and implementation

In our work with students , we have learned lessons that we will build on 2015. We discuss a new approach where we intend to give extra support / coaching after the end of the semester for students with their own business ideas . The implementation of stepwise verification activities have been further improved , increasing flexibility and iterative verification. Cooperation with Uminova Expression at the Arts Campus has been initiated, which will be continued during 2015.