Admission
Onboarding
Incubate
Accelerate
How it works
-
Apply during our Spring or Fall intake
-
Online application followed by a live pitch
-
Selected teams join the CO-AX accelerator program
-
Program introduction and orientation
-
Define your identity, value proposition and pitch
-
Hands-on workshops to set a strong foundation
-
Validate your market, business model and strategy
-
Support in funding pathways (soft & equity)
-
Guidance on IP, legal, regulatory and sustainability
-
Access to expert insights and strategic networks
-
Refine your MVP and go-to-market strategy
-
Work on product–market fit and revenue models
-
Prepare for investment and internationalisation
Running a startup is tough. You need a network of mentors who have walked a similar path. At Sahlgrenska Science Park, you get all your guidance in the same place - from starting up to scaling up internationally. The cherry on top is its location. During meetings with new customers, I never forget to show them the magnificent view of Sahlgrenska University Hospital.
Shahid Jabbar
CTO and Co-founder, Mabel AI
Being part of the CO-AX accelerator program at Sahlgrenska Science Park has been an invaluable experience for Kura. The coaches brought their expertise and genuine commitment - helping us sharpen our business model and strengthen our investor readiness, which had a powerful impact on our growth journey. Their guidance and belief in our mission have made a real difference for us as a startup.
Cecilia Videcél
CEO, Kura
Being part of CO-AX Accelerator at Sahlgrenska Science Park has connected us with a network that truly accelerated our growth. They’ve constantly challenged us to improve and supported us with energy and everything a startup needs.
Pontus Axblom
CEO & Co-founder, BEATLAB
CO-AX Accelerator is invaluable to Omaia. We truly enjoy the coworking space, which provides a professional base and a strong sense of community. The opportunity for learning and networking with other companies, combined with the diverse expertise of the coaches and advisors, is crucial for accelerating our growth and strategic direction.
Nina Larsen
Co-founder & CEO Omaia
CO-AX has several advantages that become evident over time. Among them are the ability to engage in out of the box thinking about strategic issues as well as providing insight into pitch-deck formulations for pursuing financing and branding for websites and other public information. At the same time, there is no imposition of a standard “how to do it” which allows for individual creativity. And it is a fun community to be a part of.
Matt Miskimin
CEO and Co-founder, COMAS Medical Tech
What truly sets Sahlgrenska Science Park apart is how they tailor their support to our specific needs — it's never a one-size-fits-all approach. They've opened doors to the broader innovation ecosystem and connected us with valuable opportunities we wouldn't have found on our own. On top of that, the team is consistently friendly, helpful, and highly professional. It's always a pleasure working with them.
.jpg)
Tilda Back
Founder and CEO, Konvoj
Sahlgrenska Science Park has been extremely helpful to us at various stages throughout our journey — from connecting us with potential customers and different partnerships to assisting with fundraising.
.jpg)
Jenny Johansson, Stefanie Najafi
Founders, Sightic
CO-AX offers strong connections in the international healthcare sector and a dedicated team of experienced business advisors who can accelerate our market access and growth. They quickly grasped our business, growth potential, and challenges. We’re grateful for the opportunity to join the accelerator and establish our offices in Gothenburg at Sahlgrenska Science Park.
Ole Olsen
CEO, Simlogic AB
CO-AX has helped us open several doors, everything from quality assurance of the business to capital raising/financing and exposure to relevant partners and customers. Their support has been fantastic, with a clear tailored focus on what has been important for our particular business.
Peder Remman
CEO Boneprox
Being part of CO-AX at Sahlgrenska Science Park has been a very valuable strategic advantage for VERIGRAFT. The tailored support and deep understanding of the international health tech landscape have helped us sharpen our focus, strengthen our network, and accelerate our path toward clinical and commercial success.
Petter Björquist
CEO Verigraft
At Mirno we are highly motivated to make rapid progress, and a normal week for us is filled with many questions on how best to move forward with our goals. Our coaches at CO-AX have a wealth of experience in supporting Medtech startups, which has helped us to make moves with confidence. We can recommend CO-AX because even in a few short months, we’re seeing tangible results.
David Gundry
CEO Mirno
Hear from CO-AX portfolio and alumni
Not quite ready to join CO-AX Accelerator? Here are opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Pre CO-AX Support
Joining the CO-AX Accelerator helps you realize the full potential of your innovation and scale faster. Our dedicated two-step program is designed with one clear goal: to support and accelerate your journey - every step of the way.
CO-AX Accelerator
At CO-AX Accelerator, you'll get:
Tailored individual incubation program
Roadmap to international growth and access to capital
Experienced, dedicated team of business advisors, industry experts and mentors
Guidance in regulatory & compliance
Markets access, test and verification possibilities
Exposure to health care sector
Got a breakthrough idea in health tech?
CO-AX helps you scale from idea to global impact with expert support, funding access and a world-class network.
If you have any questions, check our FAQ's
FAQ's about the programs
Does CO-AX invest and take equity in the company?
No, we will not invest or take equity in our portfolio companies.
Does CO-AX need to be included on the board of the company?
No, but we offer, and encourage, our portfolio companies to co-opt their business coach to the board, for oversight and coaching. All of our coaches have had education on corporate governance for Swedish companies.
For how long does a startup remain in the accelerator?
This differs a lot. We do not have a fixed programme that runs out its course, and we let startups and scaleups stay for as long as they need and as long as we think that we can contribute to their success. In the health tech sector, things tend to take a bit longer, so companies can stay with us longer than the average for other incubators.
What’s the cost of participation?
We have a monthly fee of 1000 SEK (VAT) for participation, billed on a quarterly basis. This is to partly cover use of our facilities, and internal events, and to provide a small amount of monetary skin in the game for the startup.
Do we need to send in a pitch deck with the application?
You’re not required to, but it strengthens your possibility of being fairly judged and accepted for the first round (i.e. getting the opportunity to do a live pitch in front of our group of business coaches). If you have a pitch deck, email it to co-ax@sahlgrenskasciencepark.se along with applying via the form that is linked from the website.
What happens after you apply the program?
We review the applications in the next week after it is closed, and we will contact you if you have moved further on to the pitch. Notice will be given shortly after that and then welcome to intro day for all new companies.
Can a non-swedish company apply to CO-AX?
There’s nothing that makes an international startup a non-go, but if you don’t have specific ambitions to make an impact on the Nordic or European market it’s not a great fit. If you do, we’d love to see your go to market plans for this as a starting point. We can discuss those in a meeting before you apply.