Your startup the next big thing? Apply now to the IKEA bootcamp

startup bootcamp, IKEA bootcamp 2019

Do you have a startup focused on creating a better everyday life for the many people? If yes, your company may be right for the 2019 IKEA Bootcamp, a startup program run by IKEA, in collaboration with Rainmaking.

Startup bootcamp to solve the big challenges

The program focuses on creating partnerships that can help with the big challenges all around the world, now and in the future. These challenges include ensuring affordability for the many people, connecting with and being accessible for people across the world, and enabling a positive impact on the planet, the people and society.

The big challenges include ensuring affordability, accessibility and sustainability.

Building on the learnings from the first bootcamp in 2017, IKEA has increased the intake from 10 to 20 and will focus on testing out real collaborations with these startups.

After the initial two weeks, teams will get an indication of the collaboration potential with IKEA. That means, the startups will only dedicate a full three months at their Älmhult campus, if there’s a likelihood of partnering with IKEA.

IKEA will cover the main travel costs during the program, provide office space and living accommodations for the companies in Älmhult

IKEA will cover some of the main travel costs during the program as well as provide office space and living accommodations in Almhult. At the end of the bootcamp, each startup will present their progress at Demo Day, the ‘big finale’.

startup bootcamp 2019 IKEA Bootcamp
Älmhult, the heart of IKEA of Sweden

1300+ applications in 2017

In 2017, IKEA received 1300 applications, from which 10 were cherry-picked. They included Israeli startup Flying Spark, which makes protein from fruit fly larvae, Swedish company Mimbly, which makes a water-recycling add-on for washing machines and also UK paint-on-sensor company Bare Conductive.

The highlights video of the first bootcamp gives an indication of how the second bootcamp will pan out. Accelerated development, potential partnership, clarity of concept are just a few of the good things to expect from it.

Could your startup be one of the 20 to work with IKEA? Anything is possible. Apply here before 31 December. The bootcamp will happen from 25 March – 18 June 2019.

Photos courtesy of IKEA