The Mentorship Program - Chalmers Ventures

Chalmers Ventures

Mentorship Programme

2026/2027

About the Chalmers Ventures Mentorship Programme:

The Chalmers Ventures Mentorship Programme is built on a simple but powerful belief: sustainable company building starts with developing the person behind the role.

The programme supports mentees in their personal and professional development through a coaching-based approach to mentoring. It focuses on helping individuals grow as leaders and entrepreneurs by increasing self-awareness, strengthening leadership capabilities, and enhancing their ability to make conscious, well-informed decisions while leading growth-oriented companies. 

By investing in the individual, the programme aims to create a lasting impact that extends beyond the immediate challenges of building a business. At the heart of the programme is a relationship built on mutual learning, trust and confidentiality. 

Mentors and mentees engage as independent partners, creating a space for honest reflection, meaningful dialogue and the exchange of perspectives. While mentees benefit from the experience and guidance of accomplished professionals, mentors also gain fresh insights from the next generation of deep tech entrepreneurs.

Mentors participate on a voluntary, pro bono basis, driven by a genuine desire to share their experience, support emerging leaders and contribute to the deep tech ecosystem. Each mentee is matched with two mentors whose profiles complement one another, bringing different perspectives and experiences to the relationship.

The programme also provides strategic perspectives, external expertise and access to relevant networks that can support company development. While these outcomes add considerable value, they remain secondary to the programme’s core purpose: developing the person behind the role

Mentors

The next generation of deep tech companies is being built today.

By becoming a mentor in the Chalmers Ventures Mentorship Programme, you have the opportunity to share your experience, insights and perspective with founders and innovators working to address some of society’s most pressing challenges. You will support ambitious entrepreneurs on their leadership journey while gaining unique insight into emerging technologies, pioneering research and the people shaping the future of innovation.

The programme is built on trust, curiosity and mutual learning. Mentorship is grounded in a coaching mindset, where mentors act as reflective partners and trusted sounding boards rather than advisers offering ready-made solutions. Through open dialogue, thoughtful questions and the sharing of experience, mentors help create space for learning, greater self-awareness and long-term professional growth.

While mentors contribute their knowledge and experience, they also gain fresh perspectives, meaningful connections and the opportunity to remain closely connected to the deep tech ecosystem.

 

As a Mentor
– you are expected to:

– Master a coaching approach – acting as a reflective partner and conversational support rather than offering predefined solutions.

– Be able to participate in in-person meetings in Gothenburg over a six-month period.

– Participate on a pro bono basis.

 

A mentor may bring one or more
of the following experiences:

–  First-hand experience from startups, for example as a founder, board member, employee, or similar role.

–  Previous experience in developing other leaders.

–  Experience as a leader with personnel responsibility for a smaller team.

Some mentor–mentee relationships may naturally evolve into future collaborations, such as advisory or board roles, once the formal programme has concluded. Any such engagement is established independently of the Mentorship Programme and only where there is mutual interest.

Regardless of previous experience from mentoring in the Chalmers Ventures Mentorship Programme, or wanting to explore this opportunity for the first time – fill out the form below. If this is your first time, we will be contacting you for a short interview. 

Scroll down to meet the mentees – Application for mentors opens in july!

Mentees

Being a mentee in the Chalmers Ventures Mentorship Programme means making a commitment to your own growth as a leader. By investing in your personal and professional development, you create better conditions not only for yourself, but also for your team and the company you are building.

The programme is designed to support the person behind the role, with a strong focus on self-awareness, leadership development and the ability to make conscious, well-informed decisions in a complex and fast-moving environment. Through a coaching-based mentoring approach, you are encouraged to reflect, challenge your assumptions and grow in your leadership. Rather than offering ready-made answers, mentors act as reflective partners who help you explore new perspectives through open dialogue, thoughtful questions and shared experience.

At the heart of the programme is a relationship built on trust, mutual learning and confidentiality. Each mentee is matched with two mentors whose complementary backgrounds bring different perspectives and insights. While the programme may also provide access to strategic perspectives, external expertise and valuable networks, these remain secondary to its core purpose: supporting your development as a leader and entrepreneur.

 

Mentee Profiles should:

–  Hold a leading position in one of Chalmers Ventures’ portfolio companies (e.g. CEO, COO, CTO).

–  Have at least three years of professional work experience.

–  Have people management responsibility and leads a team of colleagues.

–  Have a strong motivation to develop in the leadership role.


The most successful mentees approach the programme with curiosity, openness and a willingness to challenge themselves. By taking responsibility for your own development, you strengthen your ability to lead others – and to build companies that can make a lasting impact.

your mentorship helps build more than successful companies – it helps develop the leaders shaping our future.

Summer 2026

Mentee profiles are published on our website and applications open for prospective mentors.

Summer 2026

Mid-September 2026

The matching process begins, pairing mentors with mentees.

Mid-September 2026

Early October 2026

Mentorship groups are finalised.

Early October 2026

November 2026

The programme officially launches with a joint kick-off meeting for all mentors and mentees.

November 2026

November 2026 – April 2027

Each mentorship group meets on six occasions, with each meeting lasting approximately two hours.

November 2026 – April 2027

Mid-February 2027

All participants gather for a joint mid-term session to reflect, reconnect and share experiences.

Mid-February 2027

End of April 2027

The programme concludes with a final wrap-up meeting for all mentors and mentees, celebrating the journey and the learning achieved throughout the programme.

End of April 2027

Meet the Mentees of 2026/2027

Catrine Andersson

Head of Operations - Algeno AB

Catrine Andersson, Head of Operations Algeno AB

The short description of Algeno´s offer:

Algeno is an AI-based optimisation platform that ensures stable indoor climate and reduces energy consumption across the entire property portfolio – without replacing existing systems.

What are your management responsibilities?

My responsibilities include recruitment, onboarding, day-to-day work and team development. I also handle performance reviews and continuous feedback, as well as reporting to senior management. The team owns all current customer relationships and is responsible for their success.

What made you decide to apply to the Mentorship Programme?

I have a passion for self-development and continuously strive for personal growth. I believe that my relationship with myself is directly reflected in how I show up as a leader – which is why I am genuinely eager to learn through this mentorship programme.

Additional information:

I am looking for mentors based in Gothenburg.

André
Persson

CEO - LayerLogic AB

André Persson, CEO LayerLogic AB

The short description of LayerLogic´s offer:

Using advanced biosensor technology, integrated hardware and digital result handling – LayerLogic is building a rapid bacterial testing platform for the food industry, starting with Listeria detection.

What are your management responsibilities?

I am responsible for supporting the development and growth of the company across business, recruitment, product and technical activities. I also help move the company from early development toward market readiness.

What made you decide to apply to the Mentorship Programme?

Pretty simple, it is always best to learn from people that has been in the same/similar situations as you are currently in, experience helps a lot.

Additional information:

Looking for mentors based in Gothenburg

Marcello
Girardi

CEO - Solinide Photonics AB

Marcello Girardi, CEO Solinide Photonics AB

The short description of Solinide Photonics´s offer:

Solinide Photonics develops microcomb technology – a compact photonic chip that generates multiple precise laser wavelengths from a single device. This enables high-capacity, energy-efficient optical connections in data centers.

What are your management responsibilities?

I lead a team of 7, set to double within a year, as we transition from technical validation to product development. My focus is driving this shift internally, strengthening engagement with key industry players, and building a strong partner and supplier ecosystem.

What made you decide to apply to the Mentorship Programme?

I have a strong technical background but am developing in leadership and commercial execution. I aim to better lead a scaling team, engage industry partners, and balance tech and business growth, with guidance from experienced mentors.

Additional information:

Looking for mentors based in Gothenburg

Marek
Szczygiel

CEO - Anyo Labs AB

Marek Szczygiel, CEO Anyo Labs AB

The short description of Anyo Labs´s offer:

Anyo Labs is a Swedish AI drug discovery company developing a patented, quick and more accurate platform for finding new medicines through virtual screening.

What are your management responsibilities?

I lead strategy, fundraising, and commercial development, managing investor relations while building partnerships with pharma, biotech, and academia. I also navigate the transition from academic spin-out to an investment-ready biotech company.

What made you decide to apply to the Mentorship Programme?

Anyo Labs has a strong scientific base and growing commercial traction, but as CEO I’m facing increasingly complex, high-stakes decisions beyond my prior experience. I’m looking for guidance on investor and board dynamics, stakeholder communication, and maintaining clear priorities amid multiple opportunities – ideally from founders who’ve scaled under pressure.

Additional information:

I live in Stockholm and am looking for mentors who are flexible with meeting both in Stockholm and Gothenburg. Whether you’re based in Stockholm or just visiting frequently doesn’t matter. I’m often in Gothenburg myself, so we can vary the meeting location.

Anja F.
Escudeiro

Head of Customer Operations - SINOM AB

Anja F. Escudeiro – SINOM

The short description of SINOM´s offer:

SINOM is a data-driven property maintenance platform using intelligent algorithms to help property owners automate planning processes, optimise investments and achieve their energy and sustainability goals.

What are your management responsibilities?

I lead a customer success team, driving customer onboarding, implementations, long-term customer success and building scalable processes that support the company’s strategic growth. Working closely with the CEO, CTO, and CPO, I contribute to the company’s strategic goals and act as the bridge between customers and the organisation.

What made you decide to apply to the Mentorship Programme?

As I now grow into a leadership role within a startup, I want to develop the skills needed to navigate the challenges that come with a fast-paced and evolving environment. The mentorship programme is a valuable opportunity to challenge my thinking and continue developing both personally and professionally.

Additional information:

Looking for mentors based in Gothenburg

About

Chalmers Ventures

Chalmers Ventures is a leading deep tech investor & venture builder in the Nordics. Taking deep tech from lab to market. We are based in Gothenburg, Sweden. We have a unique setup that combines venture creation and tech investments within a single organization. This advantage enables us to identify new research and deep tech opportunities with both commercial and impact potential, all within Chalmers’ entrepreneurial ecosystem. Currently, our portfolio consists of +90 companies in different stages.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to Emma Aspholmer for more information on the program, the adepts and how you can be a part of the Mentorship Programme!

Emma Aspholmer, Community and Project Manager