Innovation and entrepreneurship
Curious about innovation? Got an idea? Or maybe you’ve spotted a challenge you’d love to tackle? Then you’ve come to the right place!
Welcome to UU Innovation
UU Innovation is here for you if you want to try developing an idea during your time at Uppsala University. We’ll support you through every step – from the first spark of an idea to being ready to launch a project or even start a business.
Every year, we meet students and researchers with ideas from all fields – and you could be next! Whether you want to tackle global challenges or simply make everyday life easier for people, we’re here to help you explore and develop your idea.
Coming soon!
The Idea Exploration Programme
The Idea Exploration Programme helps you take the very first steps to develop your idea. Apply for the spring programme!
The Idea Exploration Programme
Game Founders
A workshop series about entrepreneurship in game development.
Five reasons to give it a try
- Learn valuable skills – no matter the outcome. Whether your idea succeeds or not, you’ll gain experience that benefits your future career.
- Explore entrepreneurship in a safe environment. Uppsala University is the perfect place to experiment – with support, resources, and plenty of talent around you.
- Make a real-world impact. Contribute to sustainability, help tackle societal challenges, or improve everyday life.
- Find your direction. Discover what motivates you and shape your future career path.
- Expand your network. Meet creative, curious, and motivated people you might not otherwise connect with.
Discover, explore, understand
Test yourself
Find out how UU Innovation can support you by answering a few quick questions.
Explore your idea
If you think you might be onto something, the Idea Exploration Programme is your launchpad.
Get clear on ownership
Agreements matter when you collaborate – start smart.
How we can support you
If you already have an idea
UU Innovation is your first stop if you think you’re onto something and want help moving forward. You can start at any time during your studies!
With us, you can:
- Test your idea in a safe environment with experienced guidance.
- Get a personal advisor who helps you focus on the right things at the right time.
- Receive support with contracts and intellectual property to stay in control of your idea.
- Identify relevant funding opportunities.
- Refine your pitch for potential customers or investors.
- Join a programme or get a mentor to give your idea an extra push.
- Connect with our network of investors, business incubators, companies and public organisations.
If you don’t (yet) have an idea
Not everyone starts with a fully formed idea – and that’s perfectly okay. Maybe you’ve noticed a problem you’d like to solve, or maybe you’re just curious about exploring new skills and perspectives.
Here are a few ways to get inspired:
- Join our events to learn more and meet other creative thinkers.
- Reach out to us with questions or for personal guidance.
Getting started is easy
All it takes is reaching out. We’ll schedule a first meeting to talk about your idea and plan the next steps together.
At the heart of our support is a step-by-step process where we explore both opportunities and challenges – creating the right conditions for you to move forward. And don’t worry: everything we discuss stays confidential.
Here's how it works:
Define your idea and goals
We’ll get to know your idea, where you are in the process, and what you’re aiming for.
Evaluate from multiple perspectives
Together we’ll look at your idea’s potential – your ambitions, the market, existing solutions, and possibilities to protect your rights.
Develop with a sustainable roadmap
When the basics are clear, we’ll create strategies to move forward – focusing on value proposition, funding, team, contacts, and sustainability.
Good to know
- All students, researchers, and employees at Uppsala University can access full support from UU Innovation.
- Our support is completely free, and you can start anytime during your studies.
- You don’t need to have it all figured out – just start with a spark.
- Everything you share with us stays confidential, and we never claim ownership of your idea.
- You set the pace – we adapt our support so you can balance your studies while developing your idea.
Our student support coordinators
Benjamin Hafiz and Carmen Lungu are our student support coordinators. They want to encourage students to use their creativity and skills to create new products, services, or solutions to both small and large challenges.
Benjamin Hafiz och Carmen Lungu.
Quotes about UU Innovation
UU Innovation helps me navigate the development process – organising information, guiding me through decisions, and connecting me with the right network to move my idea forward.
Ruwandhi Silva, a former Master’s student in entrepreneurship, has founded MOW Collective – a non-profit association. With a background in fashion and textiles, her aim is to empower women from vulnerable backgrounds by teaching them trade skills.
UU Innovation was supportive, encouraging, and curious about my idea, which feels incredibly important in the early stages when your idea hasn't progressed much yet. They have guided me step by step, and I've truly experienced it as positive input and advice rather than demands. Furthermore, through UU Innovation, I've had the opportunity to seek funding to validate different aspects of the idea early in the process and prepare for the market. I've secured funding for both branding efforts and concept development.
Ximena Samuelsson-Allendes, alumna of the Bachelor's Programme in Leadership – Quality Management – Improvement and the Master's Programme in Entrepreneurship. She is also the founder of Aidster.
Contact
Whether you just have a rough concept or have already made progress, reaching out to us is the best first step. We’re here to help – anytime.