Lund University - Leapfrogs grant (LU Innovation)

Leapfrogs grant (LU Innovation)

You get a personal grant of 40,000 SEK (about 3,600 EUR) to work full time on your business idea or startup over one summer, from 1 June to 31 August. The money is paid in instalments during the programme, and you keep it even if your project fails. On top of the cash you get mentors (experienced advisers who guide you), workshops on core startup skills, access to entrepreneurial networks, a community of other student founders, and a closing event at TechBBQ in Copenhagen, one of Scandinavia's largest startup fairs. The programme is run by LU Innovation, the innovation arm of Lund University. If you study at Lund University, you can instead choose the Sustainability Leapfrogs option. It works the same way but only funds projects that tackle social or environmental problems.

Who can apply

• University: You study at Lund University, Kristianstad University (HKR) or Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH).
• Your project: You already have a worked-out business idea, have done some market research, and have made first contact with potential customers.
• Full-time commitment: You spend the whole summer on the project. You cannot hold a job, do other studies, or draw Swedish student aid (CSN) at the same time.
• Nationality: International students can apply too. You must be there in person for the kickoff and the workshops.
• Teams: Teams of two are preferred, but solo founders and teams of three can also apply. Each member applies separately, and a project usually gets up to two grants.
• Limit: You can receive a Leapfrogs grant at most twice.

How to apply

You apply through the online form on the YouNoodle platform. The window runs from 16 December to 16 February at 23:59 (CET), and decisions come in March. BTH students apply through a separate system. A jury reviews the applications and picks the recipients.

How realistic are your chances?

Eligibility is narrow. You must study at one of three named universities and already have a tested idea, some market research and early customer contact, so casual applicants are filtered out. If you clearly fit that stage and can commit full time all summer, your prospects are good. Most applicants stand or fall on showing real progress, not just an idea.