This post is also available in: Danish
Danish research is world-class. But it needs to be translated into more startups and commercial solutions for the benefit of society.
This is the mission behind Open Entrepreneurship, a successful collaboration between all eight Danish universities that has been a link between Danish researchers and experienced entrepreneurs since 2017.
The ambition is to support the journey from idea to startup at the universities.
“Danish research is world-class. Therefore, we must become better at bringing it to life and turning it into concrete solutions that make a difference to society,” says Helle Nielsen-Elgaard, Head of Innovation, Open Entrepreneurship.
Specifically, Open Entrepreneurship has hired profiles with an entrepreneurial background at all universities. They help to identify commercial opportunities, but also work to strengthen the researchers’ approach to commercialization through courses, courses and direct advice.
“It’s about understanding the conditions at universities, the language of the researcher and the commercial approach. We need to connect stakeholders and match them early in the process,” explains Helle Nielsen-Elgaard
Many of Denmark’s unique research positions are in so-called deep tech, so the potential for commercialization is great. But if we are to succeed in unlocking this area, it requires patience, says Helle Nielsen-Elgaard.
“It’s not something that comes by itself. The work consists of both getting investors to understand that big things take time, but also in a patient approach to building the ecosystem. We need to understand that researchers hold the key to solving some of the big challenges society faces today.”
Open Entrepreneurship’s results
- OE has contributed to the creation of more than 120 research-based companies.
- OE identifies and supports over 100 new cases with commercial potential annually.
- OE has connected researchers with more than 150 entrepreneurs and companies – at an early stage, so that ideas from research are jointly developed and matured into new companies.
- OE has involved +650 researchers in various types of events organized by OE.
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