Startup initiative with universities receives the DSEB Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award

The partnership includes the University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Business School (CBS), the University of Southern Denmark, Aalborg University, Aarhus University, and the Fonden for Entreprenørskab (Foundation for Entrepreneurship). Through the Startup in Practice project, the partnership has created a framework for students nationwide to work with startups as part of their education.

Entrepreneurship gains academic legitimacy. The Startup in Practice partnership allows students to gain practical experience with entrepreneurship in their own, or other startups, as part of their education. It also focuses on developing the competences of educators.

Torben Möger Pedersen, chair of the DSEB board and the jury, as well as CEO of PensionDanmark, highlighted the partnership as an important catalyst for creating entrepreneurial universities in Denmark.

‘The national partnership is a unique and ambitious initiative that has provided legitimacy, ensured best practices in academic quality, and a higher level of organizational support to strengthen the entrepreneurship area. The broad field of actors also provides an opportunity to gather experiences across institutions, which can attract political and social attention and contribute to strengthening the entrepreneurship agenda nationally,’ said Torben Möger Petersen.

Award funding to disseminate experiences

With the DSEB award comes DKK 100,000, which will be used to disseminate the positive experience from the project. Specifically, it will be used to organize a national conference where relevant actors from universities and other educational institutions share experiences and best practices.

The award recipient and rector at the University of Copenhagen, Henrik C. Wegener, shared his excitement about the recognition.

‘It’s a good pat on the back that can contribute to building on strong results and reaching a broader audience. As part of the national conference, we are establishing a practice for further knowledge sharing and preserving the network in the long term, so that the experience gained and relationships made will benefit as many as possible,’ said Henrik C. Wegener.

The DSEB Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award 2020 from Genau Film on Vimeo.

More female entrepreneurs

So far, more than 400 students have participated in a startup programme as part of their education. They have contributed to developing a wide range of business ideas – from using satellite images and preventing natural disasters, to creating a platform that makes it easier to rent vacation homes. In general, the programmes attract a more diverse group of students, including more women, than previous initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship.

Facts about the DSEB award

The recipient of the DSEB award 2020 is a partnership that includes the University of Copenhagen, CBS, the University of Southern Denmark, Aalborg University, Aarhus University, and the Fonden for Entreprenørskab.

The award will be awarded in connection with the Danish Entrepreneurship Award on Monday, 16 November, from 9–10 and held as a digital event.

The jury comprises:

Torben Möger Pedersen, chair of the DSEB board

Lisbet Thyge Frandsen, professional board member

Christian Vintergaard, CEO, Fonden for Entreprenørskab.