Take your business idea from concept to a proven strategy
Validation is the first step for anyone looking to develop an innovative business idea with growth potential. Here, you’ll take your idea and turn it into a more concrete and well-founded business concept with the support of experienced business coaches and proven tools. The goal is to ensure that your idea actually solves a real problem for a clearly defined target audience.
Verification is for those of you who have an idea you want to explore and are curious to see if it can develop into something bigger. You don’t need to have all the answers from the start. On the contrary, it’s about finding out
- what problem you're actually solving
- who has the need
- if there is a market
- and the potential this idea has for growth
You don’t need to have a business right from the start, but you do plan to start one eventually. Nor do you or your team need to have a perfect idea from the outset; what’s important is the willingness to experiment, learn, and challenge your own assumptions.
What does the verification process entail?
Verification consists of three coach-led sessions combined with independent work. Depending on your ability to work on the idea, the process typically takes up to three months. The focus is on moving from assumptions to insights.
You will be working with:
- Understand the problem and the customer. Identify who actually has the problem and what is most important to solve.
- Analyze the external environment and the market. Identify trends, opportunities, and risks that affect your idea.
- Develop your offering. Establish a clear connection between the customer’s needs and your solution
- Test and validate. Move from hypothesis to evidence through interviews, analyses, and comparisons with alternative solutions.
Tools and Support
During the verification process, you’ll gain access to a digital pitch deck where you can compile insights, analyses, and conclusions. It will serve as a concrete foundation for the next step, whether you’re pitching your idea, seeking funding, or continuing to develop it.
The path forward toward an incubator or the next step
Verification is a preparatory phase for further development.
Once the process is complete, you can apply to our incubator if your business idea meets our criteria for innovation, scalability, and financial viability, or continue working on it yourself, armed with a solid basis for decision-making
This verification prepares you to take a more informed next step, no matter which path you choose.
Application to our Incubator
To be accepted into Dalarna Science Park’s incubator, a business idea must demonstrate the potential to develop into an innovative and growing company. This means there must be a clear market opportunity, where the solution addresses a real need and can reach beyond a limited local market. At the same time, the team is a crucial factor; drive, expertise, and the ability to develop the idea together carry significant weight.
Furthermore, the business model must have the potential to be profitable, sustainable, and scalable over time, so that the company can grow without costs increasing at the same rate. Finally, a clear vision is essential—a direction forward and a commitment to creating value and making a difference, both for customers and in a broader context.
If you decide to apply, we’ll schedule a time for you to pitch your idea to our admissions committee.
Frequently Asked Questions About Verification
Why should you perform a verification?
Many business ideas fail not because they are technically difficult to implement, but because there is no clear demand for them. The validation process helps you mitigate that risk by testing your assumptions against reality early on. The process provides structure and direction, serving as a guiding thread through your work from idea to the next step.
Completing the verification process is also a prerequisite for joining Dalarna Science Park’s incubator program.
What will be the result?
Once the verification process is complete, you’ll have a much clearer basis for making decisions about your idea.
- verified need and demand
- identified strengths, weaknesses, and risks
- developed a clearer offering
- launched a scalable and sustainable business model
- a pitch deck that highlights the potential of your idea
In short: you know what you have and what it takes to take the next step.
Who can carry out the verification process?
You can go through the verification process if you believe you have an innovative business idea with growth potential and the ambition to build a company. You can apply as an individual or as a team—the most important thing is the desire to develop and move forward.
What kind of ideas are you looking for?
For our incubator, we are looking for ideas with potential, with a particular focus on:
- Timing – Is the market ready?
Are there trends, technological shifts, or changes in behavior that make the idea relevant going forward? - Team – Do you have the drive and ability to see this through?
Do you have the commitment, expertise, and desire to further develop this idea? - Scalability – Is there room to grow?
Is it possible to build a business where revenue can increase without costs growing at the same rate? - Financial Viability – Is It a Sound Investment?
Is there potential to attract capital and build a long-term sustainable economy? - Sustainability & Innovation – Does the idea contribute to the future?
Does it solve a problem in a way that also takes society and the environment into account?
How much does it cost?
The verification process is free of charge.
What happens if I don't want to apply to the Incubator?
That's perfectly fine. Through the verification process, you've gained a solid foundation to continue working on your own or with the support of others.
Want to know more? Contact me!
Tips and Tools
You can prepare by taking a look at the tools we use in the process.
The Value Proposition Canvas to help you define your customer