Frederiksberg, Denmark-based Venture Cup Denmark, a non-profit organisation that supports university startups is set to suspend its operations and dissolve its organisation by April 2025.
After 25 years as an independent organisation in Denmark, the Venture Cup’s board has decided to shut down the organisation.
They will now focus on promoting cross-university entrepreneurship through alternative channels.
Venture Cup will fulfil its outstanding contractual obligations and conduct a solvent shutdown of the association.
The award show, and 25th anniversary, held on March 27th, is thus set to be its last.
Venture Cup’s role in Danish startup ecosystem
Venture Cup has played a significant role in the Danish startup ecosystem, supporting over 20,000 early-stage founders and helping launch successful companies like Unity, 3Shape, and NIL Technology.
Additionally, the Venture Cup has managed to establish itself as an independent and financially sustainable non-profit organisation that offers valuable programs.
It provides a platform for university startups to access essential resources and connect with peers and partners on a global scale.
Furthermore, the Venture Cup fosters a collaborative network of university employees, mentors, investors, and other stakeholders who are dedicated to promoting innovation in Denmark.
Morten Ugelvig Andersen, CEO of Venture Cup, says, “It is with sadness that I must accept the board’s decision to close down our great organisation. Our small team of 10 people has managed to navigate and provide value for a very large and complex stakeholder network all the while operating 10+ programmes and hosting an impressive number of events each year. Truly skilled, passionate, and loyal people.”
Venture Cup Denmark: Turning academic knowledge into successful businesses
Venture Cup Denmark is a non-profit organisation that supports university startups throughout Denmark.
The mission is to inspire students to turn their academic knowledge into successful businesses and to connect employees from university entrepreneurship hubs.
The organisation offers a national pitch competition, a mentor program, matchmaking events, workshops, and various networking opportunities.
“Venture Cup has continued to evolve and create new impactful initiatives to strengthen national collaboration and accelerate knowledge-based startups in Denmark and internationally. In a time in which Denmark and the EU are under pressure in terms of competitiveness and innovation, I firmly believe that we need more independent organisations, more competition, more collaboration, and more entrepreneurship. Closing Venture Cup will leave a hole in the ecosystem not easily filled by existing players,” adds Ugelvig Andersen.
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