The incubator in Dalarna is for entrepreneurs who want to grow. Do you have a business idea you are passionate about, or perhaps a start-up you want to take to the next level? Then an incubator could be just what you need. An incubator is a neutral party that acts as a greenhouse for both ideas and entrepreneurs. They can be found in many places around the world – Dalarna Science Park is one of them.
As a participant in the incubator at Dalarna Science Park, you will receive support for 6–24 months in everything from marketing and leadership to financing and law. Here you will be given tools that will enable you to refine your idea and grow as an entrepreneur, while becoming part of an environment where driven people and exciting opportunities come together. You will have experienced business coaches at your side who are focused on the success of your company.
Already have a team? That's great! We'll help you strengthen your collaboration and build a successful business together.
Facts about the incubator in Dalarna
For whom: If you have an innovative business idea and want to develop your business.
Program duration: 6-24 months.
Content: Coaching and expertise in business development, marketing, sustainability, leadership, international trade, board work, intellectual property, sales, finance and more.
Admission: Ongoing.
Privacy: We are bound by confidentiality and will not share your idea with others.
The incubator offers you several benefits - here are some examples
Coaching
Building a business involves a lot of questions to be answered, choices to be made and decisions to be taken. Thanks to our skilled and experienced business coaches, you'll always have someone you can ask for advice and bounce ideas off. If you and your team participate in the Incubation Program, you will have a dedicated Head Coach who will follow you all the way and work hard for your success.
Skills development
As a participant in the incubator, you get exclusive opportunities for skills development, including through our Expert Hours - webinars with invited experts in various business strategy areas held 6-8 times a year. Here you will gain valuable knowledge and insights that will help you develop both yourself and your business.
In addition, you will also have the opportunity to participate in Dalarna Science Park's many open events throughout the year, such as workshops, lectures, and competitions, which are perfect for networking and continuing to hone your skills.
capital
Through our subsidiaries DalaCapital and Tregion Startup Invest, we can offer early capital support to your company. In addition, we have a broad network for seeking innovation funds and external capital from other actors. As a participant in the incubator, you will also have the opportunity to join us at investor events such as SLUSH,GoWest and A-Match, where you can make valuable contacts.
National excellent support for innovative startups
Dalarna Science Park's incubator is one of Sweden's selected Vinnova-excellent incubators, a seal of quality that provides more resources and stronger support to startups with a high level of innovation. As a participant in the incubator, you can receive funding for important initiatives in the early stages of your business journey through Vinnova's excellence program.
Networks
Customers, partners, investors or industry experts? We have national and international networks for every need and will help you connect with people who can contribute to your development journey.
"In the incubator, there are extremely competent, benevolent and humble people to ask for advice and brainstorm with, whatever comes up."
David Forsberg, CEO, Kwikk
The Road to the Incubator
The incubator process involves four steps:
Step 1 – Kickoff Meeting. An introductory meeting for anyone with an idea. 1 session (45 minutes), free of charge.
Step 2 – Validation meetings. For ideas deemed to have potential and where you yourself wish to proceed with a validation process. 3 sessions of 120 minutes each, free of charge.
Before Step 3 – Applying to the incubator. To move forward, you need to apply to the incubator and pitch your business idea.
Step 3 – Pre-incubation. A kickstart to the incubator program for those who have been accepted into the incubator. Up to 6 months, 1,000 SEK/month.
Step 4 – The Incubator Program. Continued development and scaling for accepted companies. 6–24 months, 2,000 SEK/month.
The first three steps will give you a picture of where you stand and the prospects for your idea. At the same time, you will have the opportunity to explore your personal strengths and challenges.
Together with the business coaches, you will decide whether it is best to continue to the next stage, postpone your plans or cancel. If you choose to proceed, you will be well prepared and with each step you take, you increase the chances of building a successful start-up.
During both the pre-incubation and the incubator, you can rent office space in Workflow Open (Dalarna Science Park, Borlänge) at a discounted price.
22 years of innovation
It was 2004 when innovators and entrepreneurs were first able to turn to the Dalarna Science Park incubator for support. In the 22 years since then, nearly 3,100 ideas have been tested in the incubator—resulting in 550 jobs at 189 companies with a total annual revenue (2024) of more than 1.25 billion Swedish kronor.
Welcome to book your initial meeting at the incubator
Tell us about your idea and we'll take its temperature together. The kick-off meeting is free, lasts 45 minutes and takes place online. We are bound by confidentiality, so you can share your idea and ask us anything you want to know. You don't commit to anything and, perhaps most importantly, you don't have to wonder what might have become of your idea if you had only taken the first step.
The Incubator is a development program for innovative business ideas with growth potential. Here at Dalarna Science Park, which runs Dalarnas Inkubator, you’ll receive support to move from a tested concept to a company that is ready for the market, investment, and continued expansion.
Who is eligible to apply to the Dalarna Science Park incubator?
Individuals/teams that have completed the verification process.
Validation is a structured process in which you test and refine your business idea to ensure that it solves a real problem for a clearly defined target audience. You move from assumptions to insights—with the support of coaching and practical tools. The validation process is the step before applying to join the Incubator.
What does it take to be accepted into the incubator?
We are looking for ideas with potential, and we’re particularly focused on: Timing – is the market ready? Team – is there the drive and ability to execute? Scalability – can this grow? Financability – is it a sound investment? Sustainability & innovation – does the idea contribute to the future?
Do I need to own a business to participate?
No, you can participate as an individual or as a team without having started a company at first. But sooner or later during the process, you will need to starta a company.
What specific support will I receive?
You’ll gain access to business coaches, a broad network, expert knowledge, and structured tools to develop your business model, value proposition, strategy, and financing. The support is tailored to where you are in your journey. Throughout the incubator program, in-depth workshops on various topics will be offered. In addition, we’ll promote you and your business through our own channels.
Can I get help finding funding?
You’ll receive support in developing an investment-ready case, understand various financing options, and prepare for discussions with investors and financiers.
How much does it cost to participate?
It’s free to start with, but after that, the program has a low monthly fee.
The verification process is free of charge. If you have been accepted into the Incubator, the first step is the Pre-Incubator, which costs 1,000 SEK/month. After that, the cost for the Incubator is 2,000 SEK/month. Our work is largely funded by public funds. This means you gain access to extensive resources at a limited cost.
Do I need to have a fully formed idea when I come to see you?
No, you don't need to have everything ready. However, you do need to have made some progress in understanding the problem, the customer, and your solution. We’ll will be worked out during the program.
What if my idea isn't good enough?
That’s exactly what we’ll help you figure out. The focus isn’t on the idea being perfect from the start, but on its potential and your willingness to develop it. At the same time, some ideas turn out to lack sufficient potential. An important part of the process is therefore also having the courage to draw that conclusion in time. Being able to decide early on whether to abandon or reevaluate an idea saves both time and resources, and the lessons learned can create room for other more promising opportunities.
Do I need a team?
No, you can get started on your own. That said, a strong team is a key factor for success, and we’ll help you identify your skill needs and how to build your team over time.
Is my idea protected when I share it with you?
Yes. We treat all ideas confidentially and do not share information without your permission. At the same time, it is often more important to test and develop the idea than to keep it secret.
What is the most important thing you're looking for?
We look at the big picture: the potential of the idea, the market, the ability to build a scalable business, and the drive you or your team bring to the table. It’s not about everything being perfect, but about whether there’s something worth investing in.
What happens if I don't dare to take the plunge?
It’s perfectly natural to feel that way. Many people who start with us feel unsure at first. Our role is to provide structure, support, and a framework that makes it easier for you to try new things and move forward at your own pace.
What does the Vinnova Excellent Incubator mean?
This means that the incubator has been quality-assured and selected by Vinnova as one of Sweden’s leading incubators. It is a national seal of quality that demonstrates our high standards in our work to develop innovative companies.
A Vinnova Excellent Incubator
Dalarna Science Park is one of Sweden’s Vinnova-certified incubators—a mark of quality that demonstrates our ability to deliver strong results for the companies we support.
For entrepreneurs, this means an experienced and structured environment where highly innovative companies can receive additional support to test and validate their ideas—for example, through consultants, market insights, and demo activities.
