Danish Tech Challenge
Denmark's leading growth program for hardware startups
Do you have questions about Danish Tech Challenge?
My name is Mads Rømer Svendsen, and I am the Program Manager at Danish Tech Challenge. I have worked with startups throughout my entire career – and in fact, I participated in the program myself a few years ago, so I know the challenges you are facing.
Don’t hesitate to contact me directly if you want to learn more about the program, the application process, or how Danish Tech Challenge might be relevant for your hardware company.
Danish Tech Challenge: Get access to experts and the chance to win DKK 500,000
Danish Tech Challenge is DTU Science Park’s growth program for hardware startups.
Over the course of more than 10 years, companies such as Heliac, MedTrace, Rokoko, and Mash Makes have been part of the program.
We help you take your product and business to the next level. You’ll receive a complete review of your business, strengthening your position in front of investors, partners, and future customers.
Throughout the program, you’ll receive more than 50 hours of 1:1 mentoring with subject-matter experts, take part in relevant weekly workshops, and be exposed to relevant investors.
You’ll also be matched with a team of skilled and experienced mentors with relevant backgrounds through DTU Science Park’s MIT-based mentor program. At the same time, you’ll become part of the DTU Science Park community, which includes more than 300 deep tech companies.
We support you in building the right team, integrating sustainability and impact into your value proposition, and guiding your product development process to help you avoid major pitfalls and mistakes.
The program is tailored to your business and gives you the best possible foundation for entering the market and raising capital—so you can scale your company. In short, we help you achieve product-market fit.
Participation in Danish Tech Challenge is free of charge. The program is supported by Jyske Bank.
Winning the Danish Tech Challenge is undoubtedly a significant endorsement of your startup. It has garnered us a lot of attention from investors, as well as from customers and various collaborators. We couldn't be more thrilled!
Danish Tech Challenge has challenged us in areas we had never considered before. The team ensured that we examined all our business hypotheses and created focus in our business. We've learned to step out of our comfort zone and are ready to take IoTBee to the next level.
The most significant benefit of participating in the Danish Tech Challenge is the strong emphasis on building our business while simultaneously developing our product. It's challenging but a necessary discipline to balance.
The Danish Tech Challenge community is fantastic. It has provided us with healthy competition and collaboration among startup founders. We are working toward a common goal - establishing ourselves in the market and creating a positive net impact on people's lives.
The most significant learning experience has been presenting ourselves to investors and other stakeholders. We have been pushed to present all information about our company in a visually appealing but, most importantly, easy-to-understand manner and not overlook anything that could determine whether we secure funding.
As a participant in Danish Tech Challenge, you get:
- 1:1 meetings with experts in areas such as law, product development, and sustainability – always based on the specific challenges of your startup. See all disciplines.
- Relevant and hands-on workshops on team building, pitching techniques, fundraising, product development, and more.
- A dedicated mentor team from our mentor program, with experience tailored to your company’s industry and stage of development.
- A unique community of like-minded founders, where relationships and peer sparring are key – even after the program ends.
- Exposure to relevant and high-potential investors.
A dedicated desk space for you and your team in DTU Science Park
Facts about participants in Danish Tech Challenge
They are innovative and have developed over 330 products in the last 3 years.
They create viable businesses – 83% survive beyond the first three years.
They secure funding – the participants in Danish Tech Challenge have collectively raised DKK 2.8 billion through the programs.
They create new jobs and have, over the past ten years, created +1,500 new jobs.
Who can participate in Danish Tech Challenge?
Danish Tech Challenge is for startups developing hardware solutions with the potential to change the world.
Over the past 11 years, we’ve had a wide range of companies in the program – from drones and cancer diagnostics to urinals for women, autonomous robots, and new materials for the construction industry.
Explore previous participants in our growth programs here.
We have a few, but important, requirements for your startup:
- You must be working on a physical product. Digital-only solutions are not part of the program.
- Founders must be fully committed. We’re looking for teams ready to go all-in on their company.
- You must be able to attend physically. We expect participants to be present 1–2 days per week at DTU Science Park in Lyngby.
Not sure if your startup is the right fit for the program? Don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re happy to help.
Key dates in the program
How Danish Tech Challenge works
Out of all applicants, 15 hardware startups are selected to be part of the program. The course takes place in DTU Science Park in Lyngby and lasts five months.
The program begins with an intensive onboarding week, where you will meet the other participants, subject matter experts, our partners, and the team behind the program. In the following months, weekly workshops and ongoing one-on-one advisory sessions with subject matter experts will be held. Therefore, you must be physically present 1-2 days a week. During the program, there will be several pitch events where you can meet and present to investors.
At the end of the program, 10-12 companies are selected for the semifinals, and six companies advance to the finals to pitch their business ideas at a grand award show in March. An external jury chooses the winner, who receives a prize of DKK 500,000.
We develop and test your business through 10 disciplines
Danish Tech Challenge is an intensive and ambitious growth program where we develop your business through workshops and 1:1 sparring.
A strong foundation for growth
In Danish Tech Challenge, you gain insights into 10 core disciplines that are essential for growth and successful market entry.
The program is tailored to your company’s specific challenges and opportunities, and we have subject-matter experts in all 10 areas ready to advise, challenge, and support you.
These disciplines form a solid business foundation that will make your startup stronger, more focused – and ready to scale during and after the program.
Optimize your chances of securing funding
Participating in Danish Tech Challenge enhances your chances of securing funding. Significant funds are raised throughout the program, and we act as the bridge between you and potential investors.
This program makes your company more attractive to investors. We help you build a strong pitch deck and train your pitch for investors alongside you.
- Sparring with Jan Rosenbom, our Investment Manager
- Assistance with creating your pitch deck
- High exposure to investors
- Workshops on presentation techniques to make your pitch razor-sharp
- Matchmaking with potential investors
Meet our growth team
When you participate in one of our programs, you receive free mentoring from the subject matter experts on our growth team that you require.
Our growth team is composed of highly qualified experts who guide you throughout the process. Here, you can receive guidance on everything from business development to recruitment as part of the program.
Collaborate with our corporate partners
At DTU Science Park, several corporate partners collaborate with startups through acquisitions, investments, or access to unique knowledge.
We act as the bridge between you and them and can assist in finding the right match for your company.
Corporate partners
Meet our alumni startups
Danish Tech Challenge has been accelerating hardware startups for over 10 years.
During this time, more than 200 companies have participated – including Mash Makes, Rokoko, and Heliac.
Here you’ll find those who have taken the journey – and are now part of our strong alumni community.
Former Danish Tech Challenge participants
GO-Pen wants to ensure equal access to diabetes treatment: The first investment was secured during Danish Tech Challenge
The startup GO-Pen has developed a low-cost insulin pen for the 15 million people with diabetes who currently dose with a syringe. The startup’s first investor opted in thanks to Danish Tech Challenge, and the...
From nurse to tech-entrepreneur: The road to success is paved with challenges
For Marie Lommer Bagger and her medtech startup Measurelet, the accelerator Danish Tech Challenge laid the foundation for her standing on her own feet as a CEO with an actual business. Now, her company is...
Danish Tech Challenge 2021 winner: Participation was ‘decisive’ for our company
Participating in Danish Tech Challenge meant Simplewire underwent a much-needed professionalization, according to the company’s founders, who managed to attract another participant to the company in the process.
The story of Danish Tech Challenge
In the video, Steen Donner, CEO of DTU Science Park, and previous participants share the story of the Danish Tech Challenge.
Why was the program created, what adjustments have been made, and what have companies gained from participating? All this is answered in the video.
From 2013 to 2023, DTU Science Park ran the program with support from the Danish Industry Foundation.
There is something to look forward to as a participant in Danish Tech Challenge.
FAQ about Danish Tech Challenge
Here, you'll find answers to frequently asked questions about the program. If you don't find the answer you're looking for, please feel free to contact us
To participate in Danish Tech Challenge, you need to submit an application and have a Danish CVR number.
Yes, This program is for hardware startups.
Anything that is not purely digital or a service can be considered hardware.
Yes, absolutely. Danish Tech Challenge is open to both new and more experienced startups.
No, but it is advantageous to have two or more team members. If you come alone, we may encourage you to find a co-founder, but you can participate as a solo founder.
No, but you will have a desk in an open co-working space at DTU Science Park alongside other startups.
No, you don’t need to be part of DTU Science Park to participate in Danish Tech Challenge. However, it is advantageous to have two or more team members. If you come alone, we may encourage you to find a co-founder, but you can participate as a solo founder.
DTU Science Park is a secure place where we never share your information without consent. However, the office space where you are located is an open area with many people, so if you have confidential information, you should consider when and how you share it.
No, it is free to participate in the program.
We have an external jury that selects the winner. The jury primarily consists of tech experts and investors. The Danish Tech Challenge team does not influence the selection of the winner.
