Lighthouse Launch

Lighthouse Launch is KU Lighthouse’s programme for innovators who are ready to put their ideas and solutions to the test. Designed for early-stage founders, researchers, and student teams across disciplines, the programme helps you test your solution through structured experiments and evidence-based decision making. 

Whether your ambition is commercial, social, or somewhere in between, Lighthouse Launch gives you the tools and support to move forward with clarity and confidence.

Why Lighthouse Launch?

Early ideas rarely succeed because they are perfect from the start. They succeed because the people behind them learn faster, ask better questions, and adapt based on evidence. 

Lighthouse Launch focuses on building exactly this capability. Instead of guessing or building too early, you will learn how to: 

  • Test your assumptions with real users 
  • Generate insights through systematic experimentation 
  • Make informed decisions about whether to continue, pivot, or stop 

By the end of the programme, you will know much more about the problem you are addressing, the people you are building for, and the direction that makes sense for your idea. 

Funding Opportunity

Participants selected for the programme are eligible to access funding support for their validation experiments, provided by our partners at Accelerace.

How the programme fits into KU innovation pathways

Lighthouse Launch is designed as a follow-on to the KU Innovators programme. If you’ve got an idea but haven’t yet begun to explore its potential, start there.

Lighthouse Launch is for those who already began work on their idea and want to validate it in practice. Participants are expected to arrive with a concrete concept and a willingness to challenge their assumptions through real-world testing. 

Who should apply?

Lighthouse Launch is relevant if you: 

  • Have a concrete idea or early-stage initiative you want to validate 
  • Are working solo or as part of a team 
  • Are motivated to test your assumptions rather than rely on intuition 
  • Want a structured, practical way to test demand and feasibility 

The programme is open to ideas across disciplines and domains, including commercial startups, social enterprises, and non-profit initiatives. 

Eligibility criteria

To participate in Lighthouse Launch, at least one member of the team should meet the following criteria: 

Required:

  • KU Affiliation: Current students and researchers from the University of Copenhagen, or Community Residents of KU Lighthouse (see here) 
  • KU Innovators completion: Ideally completed the KU Innovators programme or can demonstrate equivalent foundational knowledge in innovation and entrepreneurship 
  • Developed concept: A concrete idea or early-stage initiative you are committed to developing 
  • Commitment to process: Willingness to engage in structured validation and adapt based on experimental evidence 
  • Time availability: Capacity to participate in sessions, run experiments between sessions, and engage in peer learning activities

What you will work on

Throughout the programme, you will: 

  • Clarify the problem and the people you aim to serve 
  • Identify and prioritize the assumptions behind your idea 
  • Design and run small validation experiments 
  • Collect insights from real users and stakeholders 
  • Reflect on results and define clear next steps 

Sessions combine short inputs, hands-on exercises, peer learning, and guided experimentation between sessions. 

Programme dates and time commitment

Lighthouse Launch runs over 14 weeks with in-person sessions primarily in the mornings on Tuesdays and Fridays. Active participation between sessions is essential. 

Programme sessions: 

  • Tuesday 24 March 2026, 09:00 to 12:00 (+ Optional Cohort Lunch) 
  • Thursday 26 March 2026, 09:00 to 12:00 
  • Monday 30 March 2026, 09:00 to 12:00 
  • Tuesday 31 March 2026, 09:00 to 12:00 
  • Tuesday 7 April 2026, 09:00 to 12:00 
  • Friday 10 April 2026, 13:00 to 16:00 
  • Friday 24 April 2026, 09:00 to 12:00 
  • Tuesday 28 April 2026, 09:00 to 12:00 
  • Friday 8 May 2026, 09:00 to 12:00 
  • Tuesday 12 May 2026, 09:00 to 12:00 
  • Friday 22 May 2026, 09:00 to 12:00 
  • Tuesday 26 May 2026, 09:00 to 12:00 
  • Friday 5 June 2026, 10:00 to 13:00 
  • Tuesday 9 June 2026, 09:00 to 12:00 
  • Friday 19 June 2026, 09:00 to 12:00 
  • Tuesday 23 June 2026, 09:00 to 12:00 
  • Friday 26 June 2026, Full Day (Lunch + Dinner Provided) 

Optional office hours and post-programme individual sessions are available. 

A quick note on time commitment: 
Lighthouse Launch is designed to fit alongside studies or research, but it does require steady engagement. The programme includes approx. 55 hours of in‑person sessions spread across the 14 weeks. In addition, most participants typically spend 4–6 hours per week running validation experiments, talking to users, and analyzing insights between sessions.

When is Lighthouse Launch offered?

Lighthouse Launch runs twice annually: 

  • Spring cohort: March to June 
  • Autumn cohort: September to November 

Information sessions:

If you are unsure whether Lighthouse Launch is the right fit, you are encouraged to join an online information session. 

Information sessions will be held online on the following days:

Apply to Lighthouse Launch

If you have a concrete idea and are ready to test it through real-world experimentation, you are invited to apply to Lighthouse Launch. You can also sign up for an information session to learn more before applying (see above). Applications will be assessed based on adherence to the eligibility criteria with priority afforded to past participants of KU Innovators, commitment to participate in all sessions, as well as the maturity level of the idea or solution proposed.  

Applications open: Monday, January 26 

Applications close: Sunday, March 1 (23:59) 

Applications will take place via the KU Lighthouse Community Platform and the link will be available when the application period opens.