BOOK LAUNCH: the new "Financial Design for startups" handbook is out now!

Pressmeddelande — 24 Augusti 2026 16:56

BOOK LAUNCH: the new "Financial Design for startups" handbook is out now!

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Our new Financial Design for Startups (FDS) Handbook – Sweden 2026 Edition is now available, written by author Per Hulthén. The 260-page handbook provides entrepreneurs and startup professionals with practical tools for building strong financial structures, understanding the investor perspective and preparing companies for financing and long-term growth. The digital edition is available to download free of charge.

Building a successful startup is about more than having a strong idea. Decisions around ownership, financing strategy, valuation and the structure of investment rounds can have a major impact on a company’s future development.

The new Financial Design for Startups (FDS) Handbook, Sweden 2026 Edition brings together methods, frameworks and practical tools for entrepreneurs navigating these questions – as well as professionals supporting startups on their financing journey.

Developed within the KRAFT-project

The FDS Handbook was developed within the KRAFT project and co-funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund within Tillväxtverket, Västra Götalandsregionen and GU Ventures. This funding makes it possible to offer the digital edition of the handbook free of charge.

FDS was created by Per Hulthén and is offered by Autlook AB in collaboration with GU Ventures.

“We are proud that, after a year of dedicated work, the new FDS Handbook is now ready to be shared with entrepreneurs and startup professionals. Per Hulthén has done an outstanding job of bringing together research, decades of entrepreneurial experience and practical insights into a resource that can genuinely support founders in making better financial decisions. Access to capital is important, but knowing how to structure, negotiate and plan financing over time is just as critical for building successful companies. With FDS, we want to make this knowledge more accessible and ultimately contribute to stronger startups and better conditions for long-term growth", says Klementina Österberg, CEO, GU Ventures.

Download the handbook and learn more

Download the FDS Handbook:fds.education/handbook

Learn more and book a course:fds.education/courses

Two new FDS-courses are now open for booking

Alongside the launch of the new handbook, the author, Per Hulthén, is offering two new FDS-courses that are now open for registration:

FDS Course – 24–25 SeptemberKonsistorierummet, University of Gothenburg

Two intensive days focused on deliberately designing the financial structure of a startup. The course has been updated to build on the new handbook and take participants further into the practical work of financing, ownership and value creation.

FDS Negotiation Training – 20–21 OctoberÅgrenska Villan, University of Gothenburg

A practical two-day training programme where participants work through negotiation scenarios that startups may face at different stages of their journey. These include founding equity, seed and angel rounds, venture capital rounds, pilot projects, expansion rounds and acquisitions.

About Financial Design for Startups (FDS)

Financial Design for Startups (FDS) is a research-based educational programme for entrepreneurs, incubator coaches, business developers, board members, mentors and others working with startups. It is developed and delivered in collaboration between GU Ventures and serial entrepreneur and researcher Per Hulthén, with the aim of strengthening expertise in long-term startup financing and value creation.

FDS combines research from the Exit Value Study programme (EVS 1–3) with decades of practical experience in startup investment, fundraising and entrepreneurship. The programme has been made possible through funding from Vinnova and GU Ventures, while educational materials have been developed within the KRAFT project, co-funded by the European Union through the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, Region Västra Götaland and GU Ventures.

Learn more: https://www.fds.education/

GU Ventures bygger företag av banbrytande idéer som kan forma en bättre morgondag och är topprankad av UBI Global Index som en av världens 20 ledande universitetsdrivna inkubatorer. Vi finansierar och utvecklar nya innovativa affärsidéer med kopplingar till Göteborgs universitet, som är ett av norra Europas största universitet. Vårt uppdrag är att kommersialisera dessa innovationer, så att det leder till användning av forskning och kompetens, förnyelse av näringslivet, skapande av jobb och hållbar tillväxt. Vårt passionerade team av företagsbyggare, finansexperter, IP och juridisk talang supporterar dedikerat våra företag och säkerställer deras framgång.

Sedan startpunkten 1995 har GU Ventures utvecklat över 240 nya affärsidéer, varav 140 bedriver verksamhet idag och varav 15 är listade. Vår portfölj består av 80-tal innehav och ett antal projekt.

I den senaste undersökningen matchar 87% av företagen de globala hållbarhetsmål som ställts av FN. GU Ventures ägs helt av den svenska staten och förvaltas av Göteborgs universitet. Läs gärna mer på: www.guventures.com.