May 22, 2026
Last updated: May 28, 2026, 1:56 p.m.
“Digital exams are often marketed as secure, but in practice, it may be possible to circumvent them. This puts students who actually study at a disadvantage. We want to ensure that grades reflect a student’s knowledge—not how good someone is at finding shortcuts,” says Christian Stolev, founder of WriteATest.
The idea for WriteATest came about when Christian began investigating just how secure the digital testing systems used in schools actually are. Drawing on his experience in software security, he analyzed existing solutions and discovered that several cheating methods had already been published openly online.
“I started to wonder whether the software used for digital exams was really secure enough to handle national exams, for example. When I analyzed the systems, I discovered that the security didn’t meet the standards that were advertised,” says Christian Stolev.
WriteATest is a digital testing platform that allows schools to create, distribute, and grade tests digitally. During the test, the student’s computer is locked in a controlled environment, preventing them from searching the internet, opening other programs, or using hidden aids.
The team has already developed several key components of the platform, including the website, backend systems, and a proprietary test browser. The next step is to integrate the browser with the secure test environment and prepare the product for a pilot program with schools and municipalities.
“This win means an incredible amount to us. It confirms that the problem we’re trying to solve is real and that our solution has potential. Just as important is the support and network provided by Innovatum and University West, which can open doors that would otherwise have taken much longer to reach. The prize money will primarily go toward incorporating the company,” says Christian Stolev.
The Startup Challenge is organized by Innovatum Science Park in collaboration with University West and Skill. This year, 34 business ideas were submitted. Six of them were selected as finalists and had the opportunity to pitch their ideas to the jury. In its evaluation, the jury considered factors such as market need, level of innovation, feasibility, sustainability, and scalability.
“The business ideas have been of a high standard, and the participants have shown great potential. WriteATest stands out by addressing a clear and growing need in schools, with a technically robust solution and a well-defined target audience. It’s an idea with tangible benefits and strong potential for further development,” says Christian Andersson-Gran of Skill, a prize partner in the competition.
The jury consisted of: Markus Sulkupuro and Pavel Calderon from Innovatum Science Park’s incubator, Christian Andersson-Gran from Skill, and Nigel Blanken and Fredrik Christensson from University West.
| WriteATest addresses a highly relevant challenge as more and more schools digitize their tests and exams. With a technically robust solution, a clear target audience, and a deep understanding of both security and the needs of schools, the team has presented a business concept with great relevance and scalable potential. The jury is particularly impressed by the combination of cutting-edge technology, tangible societal benefits, and the ambition to create a solution tailored to Swedish schools and municipalities. |
