I went to Aarhus Townhall. Here’s what I learned about the city ecosystem

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“Enjoy yourselves while I drink free beer with 500 self-important entrepreneurs and smug investors,” I wrote in a text message to my wife, who had just laid down on the couch after a long day at work.

Although the message was sent in jest, it’s probably a prejudice many might have about an event where the ecosystem meets and hangs out.

Sure, the self-righteous and self-righteous are out there, but they weren’t the ones who filled Aarhus Townhall on Thursday night. Quite the opposite, in fact.

A diverse ecosystem

Just over two months ago, I was thrown into the middle of the local ecosystem in Aarhus. Not because I’m an entrepreneur, but because as a TechSavvy journalist, I’m supposed to talk about those who are. With no prior knowledge of the environment, over the past few months I’ve spoken to countless Aarhus entrepreneurs who were all at very different places on their journey. I may have spoken to some of you reading this.

Read also: Aarhus Townhall: “We want to break the Janteloven and brag about the many exciting things happening in the city”

When you delve beneath the surface of the city’s ecosystem, you find a diverse range of ideas. At Aarhus Townhall, one minute you’re talking to seasoned AI nerds, the next you’re talking to students developing an automated horse feeding machine.

Commitment, seriousness and ambition are not surprisingly characteristic of the entrepreneurs I’ve met. But there is also a strong sense of storytelling, responsibility and pride. As Ellen Kobberø from Startup Aarhus, who is behind Aarhus Townhall, said to TechSavvy recently, it’s okay to brag about the cool things you’re doing – both as an entrepreneur and a community.

Hostage in ISIS

Startup Aarhus is one of the players trying to create cohesion in the Aarhus ecosystem. With Aarhus Townhall in Turbinehallen, they succeeded in that mission to a great extent. The event was sold out and 500 people attended. The atmosphere was buzzing as people chatted, networked and connected on LinkedIn in the packed area in front of the bar. Free draft beer was handed out over the counter.

But then Aarhus Townhall took a turn. Traditionally, there should also be some “professional content” – a keynote speaker, a panel debate with smart people who basically agree or something like that. This was not to be the case this time. After a brief welcome by Mette Hoberg Tønnesen and Ellen Kobberø from Startup Aarhus about the importance of being present and actively choosing the community, the evening’s previously secret speeches were presented.

Daniel Rye steps onto the stage. It takes a few seconds for the audience to realize who he is and what will happen next. Daniel Rye is a photojournalist who was held hostage in Syria by the terrorist organization ISIS for 13 months. For the next 45 minutes, Daniel Rye spoke passionately about his experiences. The packed Turbine Hall was completely silent.

For those of us present, right there in the 45 minutes Daniel Rye talked about his experiences and perspectives, it made sense. It was a brave decision by Startup Aarhus to invite Daniel Rye as a speaker. And it was a good decision. It had the desired effect – presence, thoughtfulness and a sense of community from hearing someone share something important together.

A superhero in the ecosystem

So how do you get the mood back up after such an emotional gut punch? You celebrate, of course. A surprised and clearly moved Lasse Chor was hauled on stage to the sound of boisterous applause and the sight of homemade tribute posters celebrating him as a true superhero of the ecosystem.

Lasse Chor is a serial entrepreneur himself, as well as a longtime advisor, mentor and all-round good guy who has had a huge impact on countless startups and the city ecosystem as a whole. He is ubiquitous in the community and if you as an entrepreneur haven’t already come across him, it’s only a matter of time.

When you ask around the tables where people are drinking draft beer and eating shawarma rolls, it’s clear that Lasse Chor enjoys great respect in the ecosystem. And he always meets you with a big smile and a half-baked bro-hug. Although I’ve only been involved with the entrepreneurial community in Aarhus for a few months, it’s clear that his role in creating cohesion cannot be overstated.

Community is a strength

Aarhus Townhall is slowly closing and the cleanup begins. In small groups, the participants trickle out into the evening darkness – a good number continue to the afterparty, where they continue chatting with old and new friends. Here I get talking to the young entrepreneur Marius, who is actually not from Aarhus at all. He’s from Næstved and participated in last week’s Startup Weekend, which Startup Aarhus was also behind. Life as an entrepreneur can be lonely at times, and he has now found openness and like-minded people in the Aarhus community.

Read also: Startup Weekend: “We want to create a way into the ecosystem” – TechSavvy

Aarhus is not a big city, but that’s where much of the ecosystem’s strength lies. At Aarhus Townhall, you get the feeling that everyone knows each other. While that’s obviously not true, there are connections across the board. For many, it’s a highlight in an otherwise busy calendar of product development, investor meetings and business plans. There’s huge potential for unique collaborations and sparring when startups from different industries can come together.

With Aarhus Townhall, Startup Aarhus has managed to create a concept that is broad in scope and brings the ecosystem together in a meaningful way. Mette Hoberg Tønnesen, Ellen Kobberø and the rest of the Startup Aarhus team managed to create a relevant, thoughtful event that was much more than a gathering of self-assured entrepreneurs and smug investors.