DDC Welcomes 100 Impact Startups in New Design Incubator
11. Jan 2022The Innofounder program from Innovation Fund Denmark provides financial support and strategic design expertise for entrepreneurs with ideas for impact. Together with consulting firm Second Foundation, we will host and mentor the startups in the program
In 2022, 100 startups will start their business journey here in the Danish Design Center as part of Innovation Fund Denmark’s design-driven incubator, Innofounder. Innofounder provides both financial support and mentoring to entrepreneurs that help solve society’s greatest challenges. Together with consulting firm Second Foundation, we will run the incubation process, providing the design expertise and practical know-how that the founders need to build solid businesses around their ideas.
Our CEO, Christian Bason, is thrilled that we will be the home of the Innofounder startups:
“We know that design thinking and methods can create radical transformations for companies, both startups, and the more established players, generating the capacity for innovation and sustainable growth. That we also get to support a diverse range of entrepreneurs that create new impactful solutions to challenges such as the climate crisis is a win-win”
Christian Bason
CEO, DDC
Making a positive impact
The Innofounder program, which has existed since 2017, was previously divided into two tracks: Innofounder Graduate, for the newly graduated, and Innofounder Experienced, for people with business or research experience. The two tracks have now been merged into one Innofounder program, where guidance, learning, and networking are offered to all entrepreneurs. The new program is Innovation Fund Denmark’s most ambitious platform yet.
Sidsel Hougaard, Head of Innostartup at Innovation Fund Denmark, is looking forward to finding the new entrepreneurs that will make a positive difference through the program:
“Denmark needs innovative entrepreneurs with new ideas that can contribute to the green transition and solve other important societal challenges. That’s why we want to create the best possible conditions for the early startups”
Sidsel Hougaard
Head of Innostartup, Innovation Fund Denmark
Unique support for the right ideas
In addition to annual funding of between DKK 430,000 and DKK 1,090,000 for each startup in the program, startups will be assigned a permanent mentor and a special advisory board. They will also be matched with investors and more mature founders, as well as experts within relevant and specific technologies and sectors, including select clusters and startup hubs throughout Denmark. Consulting firm Second Foundation is excited to help the startups realize their business dreams, says Managing Partner Christoffer H. Malling:
“A program like Innofounder is with its high cadence of startups and its extensive funding completely unique. We are convinced that Innofounder will have massive significance for Danish startups and for society in general, as the companies built through Innofounder will both create economic growth and jobs, and at the same time will contribute with innovative solutions to the green transition and a more fair and balanced world.”
Mia Steentoft
Behavioral Strategist & Project Manager
| mia@ddc.dk | |
| Phone | +45 2883 2105 |
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Do you want to know more about the program?
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