With carefully selected business coaches and access to an extensive network, the accelerator is designed to support the growth journeys of established companies. The business coaches are active in the corporate world, providing guidance and advice to help companies expand. In addition to business coaching, companies can also receive long-term support lasting up to three years. Each company has access to business coaching services valued at 500,000 SEK, which they can choose to pay for after completing the program.
We met one of our business coaches to get her perspective on the accelerator and how companies can grow with its help. Meet Åsa Svedenheim, whose experience and insights from various industries make her an invaluable resource for companies in the accelerator program.
A business coach with broad experience from multiple companies
With a Master of Science in Engineering from Linköping Institute of Technology and a long career in mobile communications, business development, and technology, Åsa Svedenheim is one of UIC’s experienced business coaches. She has worked in large companies such as Ericsson, run her own business, and taken on assignments across different parts of the world. This extensive background enables her to offer companies both strategic insights and practical tools for success.
– It’s fantastic to be able to use my experience to help startups. I see it as an opportunity to give back while also being part of something new and exciting, says Åsa.
Tailored coaching for each company
One of Åsa’s strengths is her ability to tailor her coaching to meet each company’s unique needs. With a deep understanding of both technical and business challenges, she supports companies in creating sustainable strategies. This personalized approach defines the entire accelerator, where coaches are carefully matched with companies based on their specific needs and challenges.
– Being able to match my experience with a company’s needs is crucial. When we find the right way forward, it truly feels like I am making an important difference in their development, says Åsa Svedenheim.
Two of the companies Åsa has coached in the accelerator program clearly demonstrate how the right coaching can drive change. One of the companies, a MedTech firm, received help navigating complex market conditions and developing a strategy to reach the market. Another tech company was supported in structuring its organization and received guidance on optimizing its market approach.
“UIC’s strength lies in its broad network and the ability to tailor support for each company.“
A strong network – one of the keys to success
As a business coach, Åsa is part of UIC’s unique structure, which combines a strong network with personalized guidance. This combination is a critical key to success for companies in the accelerator program.
– UIC’s strength lies in its broad network and the ability to tailor support for each company. It’s reassuring for startups to know they are not alone in their challenges, says Åsa.
The network includes investors, market contacts, and technical experts. One of the biggest advantages for companies is that UIC helps connect them with the right people and resources.
Common challenges for companies and the role of a business coach
One of the most common challenges for companies is looking beyond their innovation and identifying real business value. Through external coaching, companies can gain insights into market needs, view their product or service from a different perspective, and understand how their innovation fits into a broader context.
– It’s easy to fall in love with your product, and my role is to help them see how they can create real business value and what it takes to achieve that, Åsa explains.
Three tips for companies ready for the Next Step
With decades of professional experience, Åsa has gathered a wealth of knowledge. Here are her top three tips for startups looking to succeed:
- Understand your market – Ensure that your innovation solves a real problem and fits into the market ecosystem.
- Build a dtrong team – No one can do everything alone. Surround yourself with people who complement your strengths.
- Be persistent – The journey is rarely straightforward; expect setbacks and see them as opportunities for new insights.