Victor steps in as CEO after LEAD's trainee programme

Sometimes there is a business idea, but a lack of know-how, time or desire to start a business. Other times it's the other way around. This was the case for Victor Borén, who moved to Linköping to study for a master's degree in mechanical engineering with a specialisation in aeronautical engineering. This led to a position at Saab, where he worked as a consultant in the development of the new JAS Gripen E, and later at Scania.

“But I had a vision to start my own company, but I didn't know in what field”, says Victor. “Then I saw an advertisement for LEAD's trainee programme, where they were looking for driven, ambitious risk-takers, who get the business ideas served to them, education and coaching for six months, while receiving a full-time salary”.

Victor was one of the first to complete the programme from September 2019 to February 2020, which he saw as "a fantastic opportunity” and where he “ grew a lot as a person".

Programme participants become part of a business development team with a clear mission – to transform new ideas or technologies into start-up companies with the potential to succeed on the market. The programme is led by business coaches Stefan Asplund and Åsa Glavich.

“There are more ideas in the tech industry than there are entrepreneurs with the skills and willpower to make them a reality. Researchers in the academic world typically want to focus on their research, not all the effort that is needed to bring a product to market. That's where our participants come in. We assess everything from background, skills and experience to personality. The latter is very important”, emphasizes Åsa.

From idea to market

“At the beginning, we usually select about two business ideas per participant, who analyse these ideas in-depth in groups and evaluate the business benefit. This includes meetings with the idea owner(s) and an assessment of the conditions in the industry. The answers to all the questions determine whether they will go further or not. After sifting through, the participants each choose an idea they want to take further”, Stefan continues.

So far, the LEAD programme has mostly included four participants and has lasted six months, where everyone is employed by LEAD for the entire period. The hope is that the trainee and the idea owner will develop a working collaboration and bring a product to market.

“It takes time to put all of the pieces of the puzzle together and during that time, there are great opportunities for the participants to work as consultants for us at LEAD. Everyone who has completed our programme is very attractive to companies thanks to their knowledge and experience in market validation”, says Stefan.

In Victor’s case, the programme opened the door to a CEO position at MicroDri, which uses Saab's expertise in microwave technology and technology for sustainable, energy-efficient wood drying in the sawmill industry.

“Saab came up with the idea and I was involved in refining it. They invested three million kroner in developing the product. Now, together, we are two of the four co-owners. In 2022, we landed two large customers in Holmen and SCA, and the future looks bright. I am very happy that I had the opportunity to participate in the trainee programme, which opened the door to this”, he smiles.