IKEA Bootcamp is calling out to early stage start-ups to find solutions that address the big challenges in our daily lives but at the same time have a positive impact on the planet and society.
The ten selected start-ups, who will each be awarded Euro 20,000, will spend three months from September to December at the IKEA Range & Supply Democratic Design centre in Älmhult, Sweden.
As well as free co-working space and housing during the program, you will also have access to mentorship and advice from IKEA and Rainmaking (a global cooperative of entrepreneurs who run startups and innovation programs in more than 40 countries).
Successful applicants will get access to IKEA’s prototype shop, test labs and innovation development, as well as the expertise and knowledge within IKEA Range & Supply
IKEA want to stress that this program is not about taking equity from your start-up but, rather more altruistically, it wants to work with you and provide the opportunity to help you address what it dubs as the ‘Big Problems’. Namely, products or technology that are low cost and accessible to more people and also contribute to a circular economy, in other words, have a positive impact on our planet.
“We believe that the IKEA scale and impact merged with our network and experience from building startups and innovation programs will provide a great environment for the start-ups.
“The program will help them speed up their development and create innovative products and services that truly have a positive effect on people’s lives”, says Alex Farcet, a partner at Rainmaking.
The application deadline is 6 August 2017 and the IKEA Bootcamp will take place from 18 September to 8 December 2017.
