Innovation Centre Denmark Silicon Valley

There’s always something magical about watching startups shine and grow in Silicon Valley ✨ From forming new connections to perfecting their pitches and filling their toolboxes with insights, it’s been an incredible year. We asked our Consul General and CEO of Innovation Centre Denmark Silicon Valley, Jesper Kamp, to share his highlight of 2024 - watch along as he reflects on a fantastic year with amazing startups!

A few weeks ago, ten Danish startups immersed themselves in the fast-paced world of Silicon Valley. What they quickly discovered is that networking here is far more than just exchanging business cards. It’s about connecting with the right people at the right time 👥. Every conversation holds the potential to unlock new doors, teach something unexpected, or lead to collaborations that can change everything... They also learned that when it comes to pitching, less really is more. In a world full of noise, the ability to convey your message clearly and concisely is not just an advantage, it’s a necessity. One of the most valuable lessons, came from the Valley’s approach to failure. The startups were introduced to a culture that embraces failure as a stepping stone to success. It is all about learning from setbacks, pivoting when necessary, and moving forward with determination 🚀 Through all the hustle and challenges, one thing remains constant: In Silicon Valley, anything is possible if you're willing to take the leap and keep pushing forward, no matter what.

During the past 10 weeks, we’ve shared some of our best tips for entrepreneurs to avoid common pitfalls and learn from the experiences of our Senior Advisor in Entrepreneurship, Daiana Fobian Nielsen Davis.    If you’re interested in learning more about the do’s and don’ts of entrepreneurship with tips and insights straight from Silicon Valley, we encourage you to download our report Future of Entrepreneurship below 👇    We also host various activities for startups over the year such as accelerators and webinars, so stay tuned for more opportunities to engage with us. 

29 was our lucky number this year! 🎓 We had the pleasure of working with 29 talented students as interns and scholars, helping shape the future of innovation and research in Denmark. In Silicon Valley, they have gained a global perspective, built networks, and experienced cutting-edge technology firsthand. Watch here as our Science Consul, Allan Skårup Kristensen, Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriet's Head of Innovation Centre Denmark Silicon Valley shares his highlights of 2024 and emphasizes the impact of investing in young talent.

Yesterday, our Advisor, Anders Christjansen, joined the AI Denmark Summit 2024 at DI - Dansk Industri in Copenhagen, where industry leaders, researchers, and innovators gathered to explore how AI can drive growth in Danish manufacturing and beyond. The summit focused on actionable ways for businesses to integrate AI, from boosting operational efficiency to enabling sustainable innovation. Key discussions revolved around: • How SMEs can use AI to create value and compete globally. • Real-world case studies of AI implementations in Danish companies. • The challenges and opportunities of AI adoption for future growth. Representing our work in Silicon Valley, Anders delivered a keynote on AI trends shaping global markets, highlighting the critical role of the U.S. – the world’s largest AI hub – as a launchpad for scaling innovative solutions. He encouraged Danish companies to think about and strategize based on a potential future within the next 10 years where AI is adopted by all companies with various AI Agents and Co-pilots. To make this future more tangible he presented three startup cases including Glean and Landing AI - both from Palo Alto. Thank you to DI - Dansk Industri, DI - Digital, DI Produktion, AI Denmark, and Industriens Fond for hosting this event and bringing together diverse perspectives to support Danish companies leading in AI innovation! 📸 Michael Stub

Building bonds across Denmark and the U.S. is vital to us, and on the climate field there’s so much to win from collaborating 🌱 Our Science Consul Allan Skårup Kristensen and Senior Advisor Josefine Lange Strandgaard joined Lincoln Bleveans on the Climate+ Podcast for a chat about how innovation, strategic investments, and collaboration can help find solutions for some of the world’s biggest challenges.

Many entrepreneurs underestimate the importance of resilience in their business journey. Adopting the mindset of 'being a cockroach' means not just surviving but thriving in the toughest environments 🪳 This approach focuses on operational efficiency, maintaining a lean cost structure, and cultivating adaptability in the face of challenges. Just like cockroaches, the most successful businesses master the art of resilience, adjusting to market shifts and bouncing back from setbacks. As Gus Domel, PhD, Venture Capitalist at Boost VC, states: “We always tell our startups to be the cockroach. Cockroaches survive anything, you don’t want them in your space, and they grow throughout the world rapidly.” 💪 It's the ability to endure and adapt that separates succesful entrepreneurs from those who fail. To embody the cockroach mentality in your startup, consider: 1. Prioritize survival and focus on creating a stable core offering that meets reliable demand. Building a sustainable business should take precedence over flashy growth. 2. Be willing to adapt your strategies and tactics as market conditions change. Rigid plans can hinder progress; flexibility can open new opportunities. 3. Understand when to burn cash for strategic growth. While being frugal is important, sometimes investing in scaling your operations or expanding your reach is essential for long-term success. For valuable insights into growth strategies, check out The Twenty Minute VC (20VC) podcast hosted by Harry Stebbings. In the podcast, experienced venture capitalists share their knowledge and advice for entrepreneurs navigating the startup landscape. ___________ In collaboration with our Senior Advisor in Entrepreneurship, Daiana Fobian Nielsen Davis, we have been excited to share this series to unveil some of the traits shared by successful entrepreneurs. Feel free to reach out to us if you're interested in support on your entrepreneurial journey.

Connecting the Danish & US Quantum Ecosystems! ⚡ For the third consecutive year, Innovation Centre Denmark SV together with Invest in Denmark, Techplomacy, and Danish Quantum Community, are excited to be hosting a reception in relation to the quantum conference Q2B bringing together the Danish and American quantum communities. The event was hosted last night at the residence of Innovation Centre Denmark CEO & Consul General Jesper Kamp with the goal of building networks, exchanging insights and promoting collaboration opportunities between leading quantum stakeholder across industry, academia, government and venture capital. The evening included a keynote by Professor and Head of the Novo  Nordisk Quantum Computing Program (NQCP) Peter Krogstrup, followed by a  panel including Peter, Cathal J. Mahon, Chief Business Officer at Deep  Tech Lab Quantum, Elica (Elitsa) Kyoseva, Director Quantum Algorithm Engineering at NVIDIA and Jeroen Bakker, Partner at Novo Holdings. During his talk Peter mentioned: 💬 “The Danish Quantum Ecosystem is strong and continuously evolving. One of the reasons is the great coherence in the ecosystem and collaboration between industry, academia, government and venture as well as focus on building international partnerships." A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to the  success of this event!

What does it take to succeed in Health Tech? At our recent Health Tech Accelerator, we asked our participating startups what the most valuable lesson from the programme was. Here are some snippets of what they shared! 💡 “Telling a good story is essential”. Storytelling is a powerful tool for forging emotional connections, building trust, and differentiating your brand. A compelling narrative helps connect your ideas to the real-world challenges they aim to solve. 💬 “It's okay to just walk up to someone and ask them a question”. Break out of your comfort zone. This can open unexpected doors. Building relationships with peers, mentors, and investors isn’t just an advantage, it is a necessity. In a space as dynamic as health tech, your network can be your most valuable resource. ⏱️ "Sometimes the best thing to do is to delay revenue. That’s something I hadn’t thought about." Balancing short-term gains with long-term strategy is key. For startups, focusing on growth and perfecting the product before prioritizing revenue can pave the way for lasting success. We're proud to support these startups on their journey and can't wait to see what they'll achieve next.

What’s putting Denmark on Silicon Valley’s radar? 🌍 In an interview, Jesper Kamp, Consul General and CEO of Innovation Centre Denmark Silicon Valley, shares how Denmark’s unique setup – housing all key agencies under one roof in Palo Alto – sets it apart. From building partnerships with tech giants like NVIDIA to fostering scholar exchanges at top universities, helping startups scale, driving strategic foresight for corporates, and collaborating with California on climate and energy initiatives, Denmark is making waves in the world’s innovation hub. Read the article by Margaretha Levander from Silicon Valley Nordic Beat right here: https://lnkd.in/dQBc9PSP