The first eXpress programme of the year is underway and we are delighted to welcome some 20 highly motivated creators and aspiring entrepreneurs.

For three months, through workshops, coaching from our experienced business coaches and support from visiting experts hand-picked from Swedish business and industry, they get the chance to develop their ideas and test them against the market.

- New this year is that we are spending more time on branding and even more time on sustainability. Therefore, during one of the six workshops, we will focus entirely on sustainability and the link to the UN's 17 global goals," says Oskar Riby, business coach at the eXpress programme.

Daria Chrobok, Johannes Melender and Martina Rosenberg are three of the participants we will be following during this spring's eXpress programme.

Daria has developed a service where she visualises science through her illustrations.

- My first impression is that this will give me new insights and new inputs on how to modify certain things. I hope that I'll get the tools I need to solve some issues that I have and to develop my strategy, says Daria.

Johannes hopes that the eXpress programme will help him turn his idea into a business, find potential customers and make contacts.

- "This feels very good and I think it will be very useful," says Johannes.

Martina Rosenberg will develop her idea of celebrating the Swedish mountains by producing jewellery.

- It feels very cool to have the opportunity to make this journey together with others in a similar situation and to get support and advice from the business coaches. Doing things right from the start," says Martina.