The pairing of Aarhus University's role as a leading driver in the growth of life science companies in the region and a summit focused on pitching, networking and investment provides a perfect recipe for promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in Aarhus.
Søren Boel Pedersen, Manager for Business Aarhus in Aarhus Municipality and one of the key people behind the partnership with the Aarhus Investor Summit, is very pleased with how the summit creates favourable conditions for entrepreneurship in Aarhus:
"I am delighted that the Aarhus Investor Summit has once again created a sublime opportunity for the business community to come together and foster even more entrepreneurs and startups in the city. It's great to see a record number of participants this year, and I hope the event will continue to grow and attract even more talented and innovative people to Aarhus. Science Edition is also an important focus with the city's strong research community. With the increased focus from everyone at and around the university, we can achieve significant results," says Søren Boel Pedersen.
Over 20 researchers and spinouts will participate in the summit and present their projects to a number of investors and key influencers in the ecosystem. Participants will have the opportunity to meet various investors from Denmark and abroad, including representatives from organisations such as Novo Holdings, the Danish Export and Investment Fund, NOON Ventures, Danish Business Angels, North Ventures, Scale Capital, Lundbeckfonden, Volvér VC and many more.
"We are pleased to contribute to knowledge sharing about the difficult discipline of investing in and creating successful spinouts. The Aarhus Investor Summit Science Edition creates not only a platform for potential investments, but also a space for experience sharing and networking among investors across business angels and venture funds. We hope that the summit will lead to even more science-driven companies in Aarhus and that more investors will become aware of the strengths we have here," adds Mai Louise Agerskov, CEO of INCUBA, the main organiser behind the Aarhus Investor Summit.
With three bio-tech companies on his CV and great commercial success, Simon Glerup is a perfect example of a researcher from Aarhus University who has been highly successful in attracting capital to his three spinouts from Aarhus University. As co-founder of Draupnir Bio, Muna Therapeutics and Teitur Trophics, he has raised around DKK 1 billion over the past five years.
"I believe it is important to participate in the Aarhus Investor Summit for three reasons. Firstly, it is important to support and strengthen the local ecosystem of investors. Secondly, it is essential that we meet and talk about how we can reinforce the trend of the growing cluster of bio-tech companies in Aarhus. Last but not least, the Aarhus Investor Summit is an opportunity to meet capital. Not only in the form of investments, but also intellectual and social capital," says Simon Glerup.
Aarhus Investor Summit 2023 takes place May 9 at 13.30-20.00 at INCUBA Navitas.
Aarhus Investor Summit is organised by INCUBA.
The partner group consists of Aarhus University, Aarhus Municipality, Danske Bank, Danish Business Angels, Danish Export and Investment Fund, Potter Clarkson and DLA Piper.
A series of community building investor events in Aarhus, Denmark