DTU researchers and students created 19 new enterprises in 2013—more than double the total for 2012. A range of factors contributed to this impressive growth.
2013 was a busy year for idea generators and inventors at DTU. In all, staff and students established no fewer than 19 new enterprises—more than double the figure for 2012, which produced nine start-ups.
According to Marianne Thellersen, Senior Vice President, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, it is no coincidence that entrepreneurial spirit has carved out such a strong foothold at DTU:
“Interest in starting companies continues to grow and grow—not only at DTU, but in all areas of society. You can hardly open a newspaper today without reading articles about start-ups and entrepreneurship. So even though doubling the number may be down to chance to an extent, it is certainly no coincidence that we are currently witnessing strong growth in the number of DTU start-ups,” she says.
Numerous paths from idea to launch
Marianne Thellersen goes on to explain that the large number of new start-ups is due to a range of factors pulling in the same direction:
“Funding options have improved, especially for business-to-consumer products. New opportunities have opened up; for example, the people behind the student start-up ‘Airtame’ raised capital through crowdfunding. Other operators have discovered that it is not strictly necessary to source venture capital before starting work—a much better approach in some cases is to join forces with existing enterprises. This may result in slightly slower growth, but on the other hand you avoid going into debt, you are allowed to take the time you need, and you are working with a partner who can assure access to the market. Several of our entrepreneurs have found this model very useful,” concludes Marianne Thellersen.
The 2013 list of DTU start-ups shows that there are numerous paths to follow from initial idea to launch. Some are initiated by the researchers themselves, others are based on old patents that have been rejuvenated through a teaching programme, while yet others arise from someone bringing a business concept to DTU and researchers subsequently creating technology for it.
Student start-ups
Around half of the new DTU start-ups were generated by students, and as Marianne Thellersen explains, this is due in no small part to the technical facilities, the integration of entrepreneurship into the study programmes, and the consultancy that DTU has made available to students in recent years.
“Student facilities such as DTU Skylab, App Garage and Fablab have provided students with new opportunities to access help and assistance.”
Student facilities at DTU
- DTU Skylab
DTU Skylab is a melting pot for student innovation and entrepreneurship. DTU Skylab offers startup advice, support and matchmaking for free and students have access office facilities and prototype workshops.
- AppGarage
AppGarage is what is known as a ‘hackerspace’, where students interested in developing and commercializing apps are given free rein to work on precisely the projects they consider most interesting.
- Fablab
Fablab is DTU’s 3D printshop where staff and students have access to a range of first-rate 3D printers. If you can imagine it – print it.
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