Sustainability Program for Startup Environments at Danish Universities Receive DSEB’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship Award 2024

When the startup hubs at Danish universities support students start their own businesses, one theme has become impossible to ignore in recent years: sustainability.

This challenge is precisely what CBS’s Pollinate program is designed to address. So far, more than 75 business developers and startup coaches from entrepreneurship centers at Danish universities have participated in the program, influencing thousands of students in the process.

This effort has now been recognized with DSEB’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award of 100,000 DKK. The award was presented on November 26th at the annual dinner of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Denmark and Danish Society of Education and Business DSEB, held at Axelborg in Copenhagen.

“Sustainability is a fundamental condition when starting a business today, and it is crucial to integrate it from the very beginning. This is exactly where the Pollinate program makes its mark, creating value for Danish entrepreneurs here and now as well as for the growth potential of Danish business and society,” says Torben Möger Pedersen, Chairman of DSEB’s Board, explaining the decision to award the Pollinate program the 2024 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award.

“This award belongs to everyone who works tirelessly every day to promote sustainability within the Danish startup ecosystem. You are making a tremendous difference,” Ashlea Wallington, Director of the Copenhagen School of Entrepreneurship, CBS, said.

Tillie Johansson, Impact Developer at Pollinate, Copenhagen School of Entrepreneurship, CBS added:

“Receiving this award is a great honor, as it shows that the impact made by the Pollinate program is being recognized.”

The award money will be used to expand the Pollinate program, making it available as a resource for the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem, enabling clusters and business houses to enroll their employees as participants.

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award of 100,000 DKK is presented annually to an individual or institution that has made a significant contribution to strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship within higher education, secondary education, or vocational education in Denmark.

Caroline Stage Olsen, minister for Digital Affairs (M) og Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, were guest speakers at the annual dinner, and the award was presented by DSEB Chairman Torben Möger Pedersen.