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COLUMN: KNOWLEDGE AND RESEARCH ARE ESSENTIAL SOURCES OF INNOVATION, GIVING UNIVERSITIES AN IMPORTANT TASK

AU already makes a significant contribution to society through pioneering research, as well as top-quality education and guidance. In addition, we can make an even greater contribution through groundbreaking entrepreneurship and innovation. With the Delphinus venture fund, AU gains a new and powerful tool to take on that task, writes Rector Brian Bech Nielsen in his column.

The conditions and opportunities for knowledge-based innovation at Aarhus University have been signifi-cantly strengthened over the past decade, most recently with the creation of the venture fund Delphinus, writes Rector Brian Bech Nielsen. Here, the rector is seen at the inauguration of Delphinus. Photo: Andrea Lif, AU Photo

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Innovation plays a central role in preparing our society for the future, not least in the context of the climate crisis, but also in light of the current geopolitical shifts, which have underlined Europe's need to further strengthen both its competitiveness and technological independence.

Since knowledge and research are essential sources of innovation, universities have an obvious responsibility and an important role to play in this context. I have been delighted to follow a number of researchers and students from Aarhus University, who have already thrown themselves into finding solutions to both major global challenges and everyday problems. 

Room for Improvement

Several reports and evaluations indicate that, although Denmark has a solid foundation in the form of strong research environments, a well-educated workforce and a well-functioning private sector, we have been less successful in translating our knowledge and innovation into solutions for societal challenges and into new businesses.

Over the past decade, AU has sought to change this by supporting researchers and students who want to pursue innovation and put their knowledge and ideas to use in this way:

  • We have established The Kitchen, which has already supported many students and employees in creating start-ups and will soon launch in a version 2.0 in new buildings in the University City.
  • We have established a Distinguished Senior Innovators programme, in which selected researchers help to embed and strengthen the entrepreneurial culture within the academic environments.
  • Aarhus University Research Foundation (AUFF) is opening a partner house in the University City, bringing together entrepreneurs, businesses and investors under one roof.
  • The Research Foundation will also take over ownership of Incuba, which leases premises and provides services to knowledge-intensive businesses.
  • AU, together with VIA, Aarhus Business Academy, City of Aarhus and the Central Denmark Region, has established the association The Link, which aims to bring the start-up environments closer together. 

... and most recently, Aarhus University Research Foundation, together with HEARTLAND, Salling Group and Norlys, has established the venture fund Delphinus, which will invest in knowledge-intensive start-ups, enabling them to grow, without having to move away from Eastern or Central Jutland. One of Delphinus' goals is precisely to hold on to more of the most promising start-ups, so they don’t have to move to Copenhagen or abroad to grow.

A new strong muscle

The establishment of Delphinus has added a powerful new dimension to AU’s diverse ecosystem for entrepreneurship and innovation. There will be access to guidance, facilities, networks and capital, whether you are a student dreaming of starting your own small business or a professor with a research-intensive spin-out on the way. The Research Fund's involvement in Delphinus also means that part of the return on investments is returned to research via AUFF's distributions.

If you think of Aarhus University as a wind turbine that generates energy for society, you could say that the turbine's blades represent our various activities.

In both research and education, we have had many years to make the blades bigger and develop their quality and shape. We are, of course, still refining and improving the design, but fundamentally, we have the mechanics under control.

With innovation, things are a little different: We do not have as much experience with methods and platforms, nor do we know how great the potential is. However, AU's "innovation blade" has grown steadily over the past decade, and there is every reason to believe that we can deliver even more knowledge-based innovation, entrepreneurship and business development for the benefit of society. 

And the ideas and drive are certainly present: Many of AU's students and staff have already been in contact with our ecosystem for entrepreneurs. I find that very encouraging, and I hope that even more people will be inspired to take the leap. I’m confident that we at universities can develop and bring powerful ideas into society and make a significant difference. We’re already making a major contribution with groundbreaking research, education and guidance of the highest quality. In addition, we can make an even greater contribution through groundbreaking entrepreneurship and innovation.

This text was machine translated and post-edited by Lisa Enevoldsen