Who can apply for the Proof Programme?

The Proof Programme is open for all students and recent graduates (max 1 year since graduation) from all universities. We are open for all industries and have ‘business’ as our main focus. We have rolling admission - so just apply today.

How to apply for the Proof Programme?

Hit the apply button and answer questions about your idea or business. Once you have applied, we will send an invitation for you to come by for a meeting. We will explain more about the phases and possibilities of the programme at the first meeting too.

Apply now

What do you get in the Programme?


  • Business Development sessions
  • Mentoring
  • Legal Assistance
  • Accounting advice
  • Office Space 24/7/365
  • Meeting rooms
  • Co-Working Space
  • Network amongst startup peers
  • Workshops and events
  • Face to face dialogue and feedback
  • Sparring and inputs on your business
  • Coffee. Always loads of coffee...
  • Colleagues
  • Network with other entrepreneurs
  • A place you belong
  • Entrepreneurial Day
  • Possibility to scale with us in the Accelerators
  • Meet investors/VCs
  • Pitch training
  • Become part of the community at CSE
  • Do an internship in your own startup and earn ECTS
  • Build your business and resume

THE PROOF PROGRAMME PHASES

Proof of Idea

How strong is your idea?

  1. Is there a demand for your product?
    2. Talk to at least 10 potential customers outside your social network
  2. Do you have a strong value proposition?
    3. Find out exactly which needs your product/service fulfills/problem it solves
  3. Can you identify the size of your target market?
    4. How many potential customers could be interested in your product/service?
  4. Can you identify your customer segment; will they pay for your product/service?
    5. Get to know your target audience and their needs; interview, research, observe!
  5. Do you have the right resources; do you have a winning team?
    6. Identify the skills you need, and look for a co-founder and team members
  6. Can you cover future costs?
    7. How many transactions/products sold do you need in order to cover your costs?
  7. YOUR IDEA/PRODUCT LOOKS GOOD!
    8. Apply for the Proof Program and build your business Apply now

    YOUR IDEA/PRODUCT IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH YET! Rethink your idea and stop by CSE for Open Wednesday, every Wednesday from 14-16 to get feedback on your idea and learn about your next steps


Proof of Concept
3 months

When you have applied to the Proof Programme and been accepted at the initial meeting, your first three months at CSE will begin. In these three months, you are free to use all of our facilities; office space, lawyer- and accounting services and you can join our workshops if you like. From experience, the greatest value your startup gains, is found in the network with the other startups at the office. During the first three months at CSE, you become part of the office on the 2nd floor which is based on “free-seating” and you can come and go as you please – the office is always open.
Every Wednesday we gather for coffee at 13:00 (1 p.m.) and share updates on progress, failures and more. Also there will be 1-2 startups pitching their business to the crowd. In other words, this is a great chance to get to know the other teams and even pitch yourself when you’re ready.

The focus of the Proof of Concept phase is to test the feasibility of your idea and to prove that your concept is viable in addition to building and testing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with potential customers and partners. In the first meeting with a business developer, you set goals for your first three months at CSE. We revisit those goals at the three months status meeting: “Proof of Concept”.

Proof of Business
6 months

If you have proven your concept, talked to potential customers about your product or service and seen some traction, you are invited to stay at CSE for an additional six months. These six months are focused on turning the concept into a business.

You can be given the possibility to have a fixed workstation on the 1st floor, depending on your usage of and frequency at the office facilities. CSE offers mentoring, business development and the chance to pitch your business at events, to investors etc.

You are given the chance to grow your business and form a solid network and we encourage you to share your issues, problems, successes and failures with the other teams. The more open you are with your relations, contacts and ideas, the more openness and help you will receive from your peers within the eco-system.

After the total nine months period, we schedule a “Proof of Business” meeting to look back at your time at CSE, revisit the goals you set and your current situation. We will also discuss the opportunity for you to apply for the CSE Accelerator Programmes or help you be directed onwards in the startup eco-system if you so choose.