Across the country, innovation environments and accelerator programs serve as incubators for entrepreneurs dreaming of revolutionizing the healthcare sector. Here, research institutions, businesses, and the healthcare system come together to shape future technologies.
“The key factor is the collaboration between research environments, the healthcare sector, and businesses,” says Steen Donner, CEO of DTU Science Park. He emphasizes that health innovation is not just about ideas but about ensuring that early-stage companies receive the necessary support: “These accelerator programs help startups take the right first steps – from establishing a solid business model to navigating regulatory requirements.”
Learn more about the topic in the new podcast BusinessReview Life Science (in Danish).
Entrepreneurs with personal experience
Many new companies emerge directly from the clinical environment, where healthcare professionals and patients experience challenges and see opportunities for improvement.
“Most startups are first-time founders – often doctors, nurses, or former patients. They have deep insight into the problems but less experience running a business,” says Jesper Grønbech, CEO and founder of CPH Healthtech.
Without a commercial background, navigating a complex sector marked by regulations, the need for capital, and collaboration with the public healthcare system can be challenging.
Capital and scalability: The major barriers
Despite Denmark’s strong healthcare infrastructure and access to extensive health data, startups often struggle to secure funding and scale their solutions internationally. “There simply aren’t enough investors in Denmark, which forces many companies to seek capital abroad,” explains Steen Donner. He points out that this often leads to companies relocating their activities: “When they establish themselves where the money is, we lose businesses that could have grown into the next Novo Nordisk or Coloplast.”
Jesper Grønbech highlights another challenge—gaining reference customers in Denmark: “If you haven’t sold your solution in your home market, it’s difficult to convince international investors that your technology has potential. The public healthcare system isn’t set up to adopt new solutions quickly, which slows growth for many startups.”
The digital revolution healthcare needs
With increasing pressure on the healthcare system and a personnel shortage, technological solutions are not just an option—they are a necessity.
“We won’t have enough hands in the future, so we need technologies that can ease the burden on healthcare workers,” says Steen Donner.
Digital solutions can make a significant difference by enabling home patient monitoring, reducing the need for physical consultations, and ensuring faster access to treatment.
“Everyone in the industry knows that more patients must be treated at home. But this requires new technologies that ensure safety and quality,” emphasizes Jesper Grønbech.
While Denmark has a strong foundation with unique health data and a high level of trust between stakeholders, structural challenges must be addressed to accelerate innovation.
An optimistic future for Danish health innovation
Despite the challenges, Steen Donner and Jesper Grønbech remain optimistic about the future.
“I’ve never been more optimistic than I am now,” says Jesper Grønbech. “We have strong investment funds, a solid digital infrastructure, and a new healthcare reform that puts digitalization at the top of the agenda.”
Steen Donner highlights Denmark’s immense economic potential:
“If we don’t accelerate health innovation, we’ll miss a major opportunity. There is a huge global market for the solutions we can develop here.”
Watch the podcast here (in Danish):
