The Danish Startup Ecosystem Guide - Magasin - Side 74
STARTUP COMMUNITIES, MEDIA & RESSOURCES + MISCELLANEOUS
Sponsored: This article is published in collaboration with The Link
The Link gathers and connects
the entire ecosystem in Aarhus
in a broad sense, so that we can remove
the barriers that exist in the ecosystem
together,” explains Mette Tønnesen.
At the same time, The Link also runs
two networks with a focus on getting
large companies involved in the startup
environment.
“Many of the big companies have a
large amount of data, market insights
and opportunities for expansion abroad:
resources that are worth their weight in
gold for startups. At the same time, they
are looking for exciting new solutions.
The two networks aim to make the two
ends meet - the practicalities, how to
create the best relationships and how
to create an understanding of startup
engagement in the parent company,” says
Mette Tønnesen.
Foto: Ray Løvschal
Aarhus startups are doing well, and The
Link wants to take the ecosystem to the
next level by connecting the actors more
closely - among other things, they are
working on integrating corporates into
the ecosystem.
Despite its modest 350,000 inhabitants,
the startup ecosystem in Aarhus is
bustling. The university city is fostering
startups like never before, and it has
already produced its first successful
unicorns. They are just not very good at
telling the success stories out loud.
The non-profit organization The Link
has set out to change that by connecting,
branding and linking the ecosystem nationally and internationally.
Mette Tønnesen
Director of The Link
Foto: Ray Løvschal
74
‘In Aarhus, we are small enough that
everyone knows each other. We are big
enough to really change something. So
we actually have a potential here, and
when we can get people running in the
same direction, we can change a lot.
That’s why we are fighting to turn the
good fragments into a more unified ecosystem,” says Mette Tønnesen, Director
of The Link.
Success is created across the board
The Link wants to connect the pieces
and find the ecosystem’s challenges
so that they can be solved. The effort
begins with startups, but investors,
educational institutions, public authorities and large companies must also be
involved if the ecosystem is to be elevated. That is why The Link has invited all
local stakeholders to meet in the Startup
Connect group.
“We want to ensure the best connectedness. All operators need to know each
other and help each other. Therefore, four
times a year, we bring together everyone
who helps the entrepreneurial ecosystem
The Links 5 focus areas
for 2023:
•
•
•
•
•
Attracting international capital
Support next generation of founders
Corporates into the ecosystem
Drive up diversity in startups
More scaleups
The Link’s Networks
Startup Connect: Gather all community
builders and service providers within the
local startup ecosystem to help them stay
on top of what’s happening, who they can
make introductions to, and initiate new
collaborations.
Corporate Venture Alliance: Gather
corporates who strategically work with
startups. The network helps them tackle
challenges, knowledge share, and improve
each of their efforts.
Corporate Venture Capital Network:
Gather corporates that are actively
investing in startups through existing
corporate venture capital activities.
Become a member of Startup Connect, CVA or CVC.
Contact line@thelink.dk or mette@thelink.dk
The Guide