The room is filled with the sound of more than 400 attendees who curiously move between booths where startups are ready to present their technologies. An entrepreneur holds a prosthetic leg in his hand and talks about his startup Snapform, which, with the help of a simulation programme, can create prosthetic sockets with an exact fit – much faster than current methods. Potential investors and mentors listen attentively as Andreas Børresen, co-founder of Snapform, explains how the technology can assist the injured in Ukraine.
We are at DTU Lyngby Campus, where DTU organizes Startup Day every year, providing the next generation of entrepreneurs with the opportunity to present their companies and products to potential investors and mentors. The startups cover a wide range of topics. From climate-friendly food products to diagnostic programmes using artificial intelligence.
"At DTU Startup Day, we can bring the entire ecosystem around our startups together. It is a big celebration of collaboration. We want to get technology out there and contribute to society, and with DTU startups, we can explore the great potential of technologies," says Marianne Thellersen, Senior Vice President for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Award Ceremony
After the final pitch, this year's award ceremony kicks off. One of the startups with a chance to win is DemensAI, which is nominated for two awards.
"We have developed a speech-based digital assessment tool that, using artificial intelligence, can detect signs of dementia," says Petros Maravelakis, who recently joined the project, which now consists of four DTU students.
Five awards are given:
- Sten Scheibye Innovation Award
Winner: DemensAI
- Inclusivity Award
Winner: Meta Learn
- DTC Award
Winner: 2D
- Keystones Pitch Award
Winner: Anemo Robotics
- Spotlight Award
Winner: Rexcon
In a rain of confetti, all the award winners are photographed and celebrated. The sound of popping champagne corks marks the end of an eventful day, where the remaining participants raise a final toast and exchange contact information.
Next year's Startup Day will be held on May 16. Sign up here: DTU Startup Day 2024
