With AI as this year’s theme, the winners of DSEB’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Awards are an educational programme and a lecturer who succeeds in turning theory about AI into action for students passionate about innovation.
At this year’s DSEB Innovation and Entrepreneurship Awards, those who turn ideas into reality were celebrated. Both the Institution Prize of DKK 100,000 and the Torchbearer prize of DKK 25,000 were awarded to individuals who have managed to integrate responsible and value-creating use of AI in their education programmes.
“With this year’s awards, we highlight how artificial intelligence can become a driving force for innovation—not just in research, but also in business and for society at large. The winners demonstrate that courage, knowledge and collaboration can create solutions that make a genuine difference,” said Torben Möger Pedersen, chairman of the board at DSEB.
Institution Prize: Master’s programme with AI at its core
The Master in Entrepreneurial Business Engineering (EBE) at Aalborg University received this year’s Institution Prize of 100,000 kroner.
EBE is a master that translates theory into practice. Through problem-based learning, practical projects, and close cooperation with companies, students develop their own ventures—often powered by AI.
From transport projects to sports technology, EBE delivers solutions that benefit both business and students.
“EBE is not just a study program — it’s a catalyst for innovation,” said the prize committee.
The prize was received by Associate Professor Yariv Taran from Aalborg University.
Enthusiast Prize: An outstanding contribution to innovation
For the first time, the Enthusiast Prize of 25,000 kroner was awarded, and it went to Associate Professor Naja Holten Møller from the University of Copenhagen.
Naja is responsible for the class Concept Development and Innovation in the KOM-IT program, where more than 70 students work each year on real-life cases from municipalities and companies—delivering concrete prototypes and concepts.
The course integrates the responsible use of AI and strengthens collaboration between the university and society. “Naja opens doors to entrepreneurship and gives students lasting skills in innovation,” was among the reasons given by the prize committee.
This year’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Awards were presented at the International Chamber of Commerce ICC Denmark and DSEB’s annual dinner on 26 November
