Innovation Centre Denmark Silicon Valley

Longevity is increasingly becoming a focal point in leading universities as a proactive approach to addressing diseases before they take hold 🧬 Julie Charlotte Nielsen, a Danish researcher at the renowned Stanford University, conducts groundbreaking work at the Bass Biology Institute on cutting-edge life sciences. Her research focuses on senescent cells - aging or damaged cells that stop dividing but remain active - and how manipulating them could soon become a promising strategy for managing longevity, fostering healthier lifespans, and preventing the progression of age-related diseases. - It’s inspiring to see how top universities are taking longevity seriously and how Denmark is contributing to this transformative agenda. Longevity is not just about adding years to life but about adding life to years. It challenges us to create a world where longer lives are lived with purpose, health, and dignity. Seeing Danes like Julie Charlotte Nielsen making an international impact at the forefront of this field is truly remarkable, says our Senior Advisor Jon Therkildsen. The pursuit of longevity is not just a scientific challenge - it’s a societal one, requiring collaboration across borders and disciplines. Together, we’re shaping a future where longer, healthier lives are within reach for all.

In Silicon Valley, speed is a competitive advantage, and successful startups know how to harness it. As Per Barfod Andersen, CEO of Dandelion Diagnostics, discovered after a few days in the area: “We need to move much faster than we’re currently doing. The pace over here Is just different, so we have to go back and move faster basically.” 💡This is a valuable lesson for Danish startups: agility and speed can make all the difference. In a fast-paced market, the ability to innovate, adapt, and make quick decisions is crucial for staying ahead. Whether refining your product, gathering insights, or seizing new opportunities, speed sharpens your competitive edge. For startups with global ambitions, embracing a mindset of constant iteration and rapid execution is essential. While the pace can feel overwhelming, it’s also an invitation to innovate, improve, and ultimately, thrive.

Wrapping up with the most popular theme here on our LinkedIn in 2024: Our team! 🙌 This year, we’ve had the privilege of showcasing the incredible people behind the work we do. From behind-the-scenes to out in the field of innovation, you’ve been as excited about our team as we are! Thank you for following along with us in 2024. We’re excited for another year of collaboration, innovation, and sharing more of the journey with all of you. Happy New Year! 💛

Second place on our top highlights of this year: Quantum! ⚛️ From delegations across Denmark and the U.S. to exciting advancements such as the investment in a new supercomputer, quantum tech has sparked some of our most engaging conversations. Check out some of our favorite moments from this year that got you all talking! 👇 We love the enthusiasm and curiosity for quantum. The technology is a vital part of shaping our future, and the deployment of Gefion, Denmark’s new supercomputer funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Danmarks Eksport- og Investeringsfond, marked a leap forward. Gefion, developed in partnership with NVIDIA, ranks 21st globally on the TOP500 list of supercomputers. Leveraging NVIDIA’s cutting-edge architecture, it supports projects ranging from quantum simulations to AI-enabled healthcare tools and places Denmark on the map for AI-driven and quantum innovation. Catch the final reveal of our most popular topic tomorrow!

We’ve had a lot going on this year, but what’s caught YOUR attention the most? Over the next few days, we’ll be sharing our top 3 highlights of 2024! Kicking things off with the 3rd place: Space! 🚀 The past year brought some thrilling insights into space exploration, from when our Science Consul Allan Skårup Kristensen welcomed Andreas Mogensen home from space to a delegation focused on satellite technology and the exciting potential for space-to-earth collaboration across Denmark and California. Stay tuned for the second place on our list of highlights tomorrow!

How can satellites shape a greener, safer future for Denmark? With over 11,000 orbiting Earth today – and projections of 60,000 by 2030 – data from space is more accessible than ever 🛰️ In a recent article for Ingeniøren, our Science Consul Allan Skårup Kristensen and Research & Policy Advisor Monika Kanda share how Denmark’s unique position as a digital leader allows it to harness satellite data to tackle climate challenges, boost precision farming, and enhance emergency preparedness. In May 2024, we hosted a Danish delegation to Silicon Valley including representatives from Danish companies, government bodies, and research institutions. All eager to engage with California's leading firms and governmental bodies in the field of earth observation. The visit was a significant step toward fostering partnerships and sharing knowledge between Danish and Californian innovators, and the potential for developing cutting-edge solutions that leverage satellite technology is immense. Read the full article on how space-to-earth initiatives could shape Denmark’s future and enhance its role as a green frontrunner: https://lnkd.in/dJJ7W9Ny

What a year 2024 turned out to be! 🤩 We can’t even remember ourselves all that happened, so we took a scroll through the camera roll and rounded up our favorite moments. From climate events to global team meet-ups and interns having fun, it’s been amazing. Here’s a photo dump of some top highlights – we can’t wait for more Silicon Valley magic in the new year! 🪄

Climate, AI, and corporate responsibility (ESG) have dominated conversations in 2024. This year, we introduced our Future of Resilience report, diving into these themes. Our Senior Advisors Anders Christjansen, Helene M. O. Kristiansen, and Morten Larsen have been instrumental in leveraging their expertise to connect Danish organizations with Silicon Valley's cutting-edge insights. If you haven’t had a chance to explore it yet, download the report here to gain inspiration and actionable strategies for 2025, straight from the heart of one of the world’s most innovative ecosystems 🌍

In our latest Health Tech Accelerator, founders shared key lessons that could be game-changers for any startup. 🎯 "Pitch your story in a short amount of time. Get to the personal dimension, the market impact, and the disruption. The challenge is delivering this message clearly and concisely…” In Silicon Valley’s fast-paced environment, precision is everything. Founders quickly learned that being able to convey the essence of their business in just a few seconds can make all the difference. 🔑 "Networking is key if you’re building a business anywhere, but especially in the U.S." Building relationships is critical. In a place where opportunities move fast, the right connections can unlock doors and propel your startup forward. Networking isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential. 🤝 "It’s super important to have a good co-founder—not just as a sparring partner, but as support along the way." A co-founder brings complementary skills, shared vision, and emotional support, making decision-making easier and opening doors to new opportunities. These lessons, learned firsthand by the founders, highlight the core elements of building a successful startup: clarity in your pitch, strong connections, and a solid support system.

Unlocking quantum potential with 16 Danish use cases ⚛️ Denmark is at the forefront of a historic quantum movement, applying quantum technologies across industries to tackle real-world challenges. From enhancing MRI scans and securing communications to optimizing logistics and accelerating vaccine design, this report by Erhvervsstyrelsen and the Danish Quantum Community showcases 16 innovative use cases leveraging sensing, computing, and communication technologies. Explore how Denmark is at the forefront of quantum innovation. Download the full publication here.