Prestigious European price for Danish innovation programme

More than fifty researchers at Danish universities have received one-year postdoc grants for promising innovative projects. Of these, eight researchers have already translated their ideas into spin-out companies. Spin-outs Denmark has created a great effect in just a few years. 

Now the program has won an award. The ASTP Impact Awards 2025 honours a European research organisation that has created societal impact.

'This award is an acknowledgment of our commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship based upon the excellent research at the Danish Universities. The Program also shows how much we can achieve through a strong collaboration and dedication to innovation and spin-out creation at the Danish universities,' states Søren E. Frandsen, Project Owner and Chairman of the Steering Committee at Spin-outs Denmark. 

He emphasizes that targeted funding combined with focused business development training has proven to be a powerful combination.
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From Drones to Sustainable Ammonia Production

The business development training was one of the key factors for Kristian Husum Laursen. He became part of Spin-outs Denmark in 2022 and is one of the eight researchers who have since established a spin-out company.

‘Being part of Spin-outs Denmark helped me to view my research in a commercial light. Customers and investors are interested in the results that it brings, not the cool technology I used to get there. This differs from my academic approach, where methods and technology were the focus,’ says Kristian Husum Laursen, CEO and co-founder of CODRONE.

CODRONE is a drone company and a spin-out from the University of Southern Denmark, specializing in autonomous security drones for the protection of critical infrastructure. 

In the near future, the expectations are that CODRONE systems will enhance the safety of airports, power plants, large construction sites and much more, all over Europe.

‘I've always dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur and to create products that truly make a difference in the world. With CODRONE, I have found my way of doing so,’ says Kristian Husum Laursen, who is one of the nine programme participants from the University of Southern Denmark.
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In total, Spin-outs Denmark has supported 55 researchers in their entrepreneurial journey, spanning a wide range of scientific fields — from groundbreaking sustainable ammonia production systems for local farmers to advanced data tools and services for workers and their unions to improve worker conditions.

The common denominator across all projects is the shared ambition to make a meaningful societal impact.

Many of the projects from the Spin-outs Denmark program are expected to establish companies in the coming years, and other cases have already raised substantial additional capital.

‘We have been highly aware of the importance of introducing researchers to key stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem early in their entrepreneurial journey. Close interactions with customers, investors and potential co-founders are essential for the success of a spin-out,’ says Søren E. Frandsen.
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The importance of the innovation agenda

Spin-outs Denmark is coordinated by the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) in partnership with all eight Danish universities. The program is funded by Villum Fonden with a 5-year grant of DKK 75 million with a mission to support junior researchers in transforming their research and ideas into solutions and products that make a meaningful impact on society.

‘Innovation is key to strengthening European competitiveness. Spin-outs Denmark has been instrumental in enhancing the focus on innovation across Danish universities, by supporting young researchers in developing the skills necessary to transform their research ideas into new innovations. This award is a well-deserved international recognition of their important work which contributes to strengthening our European society, and we are proud to support their endeavours,’ says Thomas Bjørnholm, Chief Scientific Officer at Villum Fonden.

‘Translating university research into societal impact is more important than ever, and Villum Fonden has been a key partner in that over the past five years. We are incredibly grateful for their recognition of the need for a national program that could elevate the innovation agenda at the universities,’ says Søren E. Frandsen, continuing: 

‘The Danish universities have some of the world’s leading researchers, and this collective effort has brought them closer to market. This is due to the universities’ willingness to share knowledge and best practices, rather than viewing each other as competitors. My hope is that we will work even more closely together in the future,’ says Søren E. Frandsen.

Spin-outs Denmark’s initial funding runs until May 2026. Stakeholders have expressed a profound interest in finding a way forward to continue the program beyond the five-year period. 
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