Innovation Networks Denmark
Looking for new partners? Looking for new tools? Looking for new inspiration? Maybe you can find what you are looking for in one of the 22 Danish innovation and competence networks?
22 Danish innovation networks are ready to help companies find new partners among world class scientists, other companies and experts in Denmark as well as abroad.
What are the services of the innovation networks?
The innovation networks offer access to a broad overview on the latest science results and innovation trends within their respective fields of expertise and they provide inspiration on for instance new tendencies on technology, product innovation and new innovation methods.
The innovation networks can also assist researchers in finding new partners for collaboration on smaller or larger science or innovation projects among private companies, other researchers, technological service providers and other partners – in Denmark and abroad.
The innovation networks each have their own technical or professional focus within trades like the food industry, the offshore sector, the service sector, marketing, etc. Each network operates on a national basis, but the networks are located all over Denmark.
How can the innovation networks help companies?
The Innovation networks can:
- Help develop ideas into new competitive products or services
- Provide inputs and advise for solving problems with product development and innovation
- Provide access to a comprehensive network of researchers from universities, technological service providers as well as other private companies
- Provide overview of and contact to the public research and innovation promotion system
- Provide specific professional resources so relieving companies of the burden to invest in manpower or the latest technological knowledge themselves.
- Be a stepping stone for an internationalisation of companies
What do the innovation networks do?
- Initiate specific development projects within the relevant professional field of the network
- Arrange conferences, seminars, workshops on themes of interest of the members of the network
- Help with fundraising and with the preparation of applications for funding etc.
- Publish news letters and other types of information about new tendencies, research results, etc.
- Arrange export promotions, study trips abroad for Danish companies
Who can participate in the innovation networks?
The innovation networks are open for all interested companies in Denmark. In some of the networks they charge a membership fee; in others the participation is free of charge. On the web pages of each network you can find information on how to sign up.
How are the innovation networks financed?
Companies have to finance their own participation in the Innovation Networks activities. The man hours used in the companies have to be registered and are concluded in total budget of the relevant network.
The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation finances up to half of the innovation network activities.
The funding by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation is used for setting up a network secretariat, matchmaking activities, specific collaboration projects within research, education, knowledge dissemination, etc. The networks have to obtain the other half of the funding from private companies, regional funds, etc.
Many companies have already used the innovation networks
Almost 4.000 companies participated in innovation network activities in 2009. More than 800 companies have participated in specific collaboration projects with public knowledge institutions in 2009.
As a result of these activities, 300 companies have developed new products, 750 have developed new competences and 550 have been getting new ideas for innovation.
The participating companies estimate that their participation in innovation networks has resulted in an increased turnover of approximately € 146 million.
What are the objectives of the innovation networks?
- To strengthen public-private collaboration and knowledge transfer between public universities and private companies on research and innovation.
- To strengthen innovation and research in Danish companies and thus promote knowledge-based growth in business and industry.
