Ole Trudslev

Investment Associate, Inventure Capital A/S

Ole has been working in the venture industry since 2000, and is currently an investment associate with Inventure Capital A/S. He has primarily been working with evaluating new investments, strategic development and contract negotiations. Prior to Inventure Capital, Ole has experience from InnFond and Novi. Ole's educational background is an M. Sc. Business Administration and Business Law from Aalborg University and he is currently studying for an MBA at Aarhus School of Business. 

John F. Dascher

Investment Director, Inventure Capital A/S

John has more than 10 years experience investing in seed-stage companies in the US ICT, Life Science and CleanTech industries. Recently, John was an Investment Director with SATAI in San Antonio, Texas on behalf of the USD 200 million Texas Emerging Technology Fund; he also acted as SATAI's Chief Financial Officer. Additionally, he has held positions with CrossBow Ventures and VentureNow (Florida-based early-stage venture funds) and the Ben Franklin Technology Partners in Philadelphia (one of the world's first state-sponsored seed capital funds), after starting his career as an aerospace engineer.

John has a BS in applied physics from Albright College and an MBA in finance from the Le Bow School of Business at Drexel University; he is also a graduate of the Venture Capital Institute. 

Stephan Christgau

Investment Director, Novo Seeds

Stephan Christgau joined Novo A/S in September 2007 as Investment Director of Novo Seeds. Stephan obtained his MSc degree from the Technical University of Denmark in 1988 and his PhD degree in 1992 from Technical University of Denmark, for a project in diabetes immunology, conducted at Hagedorn Research Institute and University of California, San Francisco.

Prior to joining Novo Seeds, Stephan was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Osteologix where he played a leading role in the development of the company, taking the lead candidate drug through all stages from lead identification to phase II testing for osteoporosis treatment. He also played an active role in the company's financing including a public listing in the US on the OTC exchange through a reverse merger with a public shell company. Previously Stephan has worked in the metabolic bone disease area and arthritis in Nordic Bioscience and Osteometer Biotech and as a protein chemist in Novo Nordisk A/S.

Stephan is the author of more than 60 scientific publications and inventor on more than 30 patent families.

Niels Vejrup Carlsen 

Investment Manager, SEED Capital

At SEED Capital, Niels is currently on the board of 5 portfolio Software/Internet companies and he is responsible for new investments within this segment. Niels holds a PhD in user interface software engineering from DTU and has a number of patents within human computer interaction. For the past 15 years, Niels has worked with innovation and rapid product development in the telecom and media industries. He worked for Siemens in Germany for 5 years spearheading a product innovation initiative in the phone division.

In Denmark, Niels held positions as CTO in two Danish internet media startups, Berlingske Online A/S and NetDoktor A/S. In addition to an international network, Niels offers strong domain knowledge within the software sector as well as a broad range of managerial, business development and IT strategic skills.

Rasmus Bjerngaard
Investment Manager, SEED Capital

Rasmus is Investment Manager in SEED Capital. His main focus is on hardware but he is also involved in investment decisions in software, mobile and medico technologies. He is in the board of UpCon Technologies A/S, Teklatech A/S, AidOnline A/S, Doctors Without Borders.

Rasmus has a background from high-tech innovation and product development mainly from the electronics and telecommunications industries. Before joining the SEED team, Rasmus was Engineering Manager and Director of Software Platforms in Litepoint where he was key in establishing and running the European department of the US startup company. Previously Rasmus was Operations Manager in the startup Swirlnet in Silicon Valley. Further he has been Technical Lead in Nokia Mobile Phones heading the development of a large software platform spread across 15 countries. Rasmus has several international publications from his time as researcher in medical ultrasound and he has hands-on entrepreneurial experience from starting an online media company.

Rasmus holds a Master of Science degree in electronics and computer science from the Technical University of Denmark, a bachelor minor in Psychology from the University of Copenhagen and a bachelor of commerce, 1st part, from Copenhagen Business School.

Ole Bitsch-Jensen
Investment Manager, SEED Capital

Ole is MSc in Chemical Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark, and B.Comm. in International Business / Marketing Management from Copenhagen Business School.

He has more than 10 years of industry experience from larger international pharmaceutical / biotechnology corporations and biotech start-ups. Ole has been with SEED / Symbion since 2001.

Jón Ingi Benediktsson
Investment Manager, SEED Capital

Jón Ingi Benediktsson has 20 years of experience in Life Science working in areas such as sales and marketing, general management financing and strategy.

Jón Ingi left Iceland from a position as Director at The Research Centre of the University of Akureyri. Prior to that, he has been CEO for the MP Biotechnology Fund in Iceland and worked together with several corporate enterprises selling hospital, laboratory and pharmaceutical health care products in Iceland.

Jón Ingi holds a M.Sc. in Human Biology from the August Krogh Institute, Copenhagen University.

Jacob Bratting Pedersen

Investment Director, Northcap Partners

Jacob has been in the venture capital business for seven years. He is specialised in investment management, transactions and development of technology companies. He has been involved in seven exits and invested and attracted more than 60 million dollars for technology start-ups. Jacob has founded several technology companies and has been member of several boards focusing on building and developing businesses. Prior to joining NorthCap Partners, Jacob was based in New York attracting American technology investments for Danish companies and worked three years in Israel focusing on technology exchange and venture capital.

Jacob holds a M.Sc BA from Copenhagen Business School and additional financial and entrepreneurial education from Harvard Business School, INSEAD and MIT.

Peter Madsen
Center Direktør, Syddanske Forskerparker (Sønderborg)

Peter holds an HD in innovation and change. An area in which has been working as a consultant for several years, predominately in developing and manufacturing industries of mechanical and electronic devices. An entrepreneur himself, Peter established his own company in 1999.

Mads Lacoppidan

Analyst, Vækstfonden

Responsible for screening of investment proposals and analysis of portfolio companies at Vækstkapital.  Several years of experience within the Danish Venture Market and co-author to a number of publications focusing on the Danish Venture Capital Market, including industry specific reports on the Danish Cleantech industry, the Danish Fashion industry and the perspectives for experience economy in Denmark. Mads holds a MS.c in Marketing Economics from Copenhagen Business School, which he has supplemented with studies at Harvard and Singapore Management University.

Kenneth Svenningsen

Analyst at Vækstfonden. Responsible for the review of all new business plans within Medtech and ICT in Vækstkapital. Involved in the commercial due dillingence on new investment and serve as an analytical resource for portfolio companies. Educated cand.merc. in Managament of Innovation and Business Development from Copenhagen Business School. Before working at Vækstfonden Kenneth worked as junior consultant and responsible for the daily management of CBS Junior Consultants.

Timothy Barnes

Executive Director, UCL Advances                                                                                                                                     

Tim is Executive Director of UCL Advances, a new unit of University College London that brings together academics and businesses or all types. Tim previously ran his own business, Lodestone IP Ltd, helping universities and large corporations to spin-out high technology companies. His clients included UCL, Cambridge University, the London Development Agency, the Centre for Scientific Enterprise (CSE), the BBC and Reuters.

Prior to Lodestone, Tim worked as an investment manager at Gorilla Park, a pan-European investment firm that specialised in early-stage technology ventures. Projects he was involved in included a web service development tools company in Paris and a pan-European business services company. He also initiated Gorilla Park's University liaison programme, which included members from the UK, France, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands. A graduate of UCL himself, Tim began his professional life as a business consultant with Andersen in London but always felt a strong attachment to UCL which has now brought him back after a ten-year gap.

Gustaf Iuel-Brockdorff

Investment Manager, Syddansk Innovation

The last five years, Gustaf has been working for Syddansk Innovation as Investment Manager, prior to that; he worked for a patent agency (IPB) and as a purchaser for advanced equipment in life science directed towards universities.

He holds a Master's degree in Chemistry from Copenhagen University and a MBA with focus on Innovation.

Carl-Erik Jørgensen

Portfolio Manager, NOVI A/S

Carl-Erik works as Portfolio Manager for Novi Innovation A/S. Before that, he was Product Manager in KMDs software development responsible for customised HRM - solutions. Between 1980 and 2000, he has been head of billing department in Sonofon A/S and has worked in Copenhagen for Handelsbanken, Nykredit A/S and Nykredit Bank A/S, where he was responsible for accounting, finance and risk management. During that time he intensively worked with system requirements, contract negotiaton and implementation of IT-solutions in the banking business.

Carl-Erik holds a degree in Finance and Organization from CBS.

Gyda Bay

Investment Manager, Østjysk Innovation 

As Investment Manager in East Jutland Innovation since 2000, Gyda Bay has been screening hundreds of potential business ideas and plans both from industry, University and Hospital of Aarhus. She completes investments each year, is chairman for two of the new start-up companies and in the board of directors for three other start-up companies. Gyda holds a Master Degree in Biology from the Aarhus University.

Mads Prebensen
Group Senior Vice President, Grundfos New Business

Mads is responsible for "New Business" (Corporate Venture) within Grundfos.  Seeking out excellent internal or external business ideas for investment and development through to an exit or transition. The projects can become future Grundfos divisions or sold off.

Previously working for Danfoss for 18 years after completing M Sc Mech Eng, where Mads started as Marketing Responsible. Mads moved to Australia for 2 years, working as Business Development manager; to Singapore for over 6 years as Regional President for ASEAN and to Germany as Sales Director.  From Danfoss, he moved to Alstom Power Flow Systems in Denmark, working as VP Sales & Marketing, finally joining Grundfos as New Business Director in 2004.

Thorbjørn Machholm

Chief Investment Advisor, Grundfos New Business

Thorbjørn works with corporate venturing, business development and investment management. Prior to that, he worked with cross-functional/cross-cultural management, sales development, strategic planning and business controlling. Thorbjørn has international experiences from many countries and regions. A substantial part of his career falls within large international companies. He has worked with development and execution of strategies on strategic HQ level as well as on regional management level, and he has completed a multitude of assignments and missions on operational field sales level as well as within complex organizational structures and different cultural environments. Thorbjørn's professional background falls within sales/marketing, business development, finance & accounting (HQ/subsidiary reporting, budgets/controlling), operations & logistics, and international project management.

Thorbjørn holds a M.Sc. (DEA) in Management of Tech. and Innovation from Dauphine University, Paris (1994), a M.Sc. in Strategic Planning and Management (1992), and a Graduate Diploma in International Management and Marketing (1990) from Copenhagen Business School.

Hanne Arildsen

iMotions A/S 

Hanne has been working with business development from a wide variety of angles and successfully initiated and developed several innovative businesses for and in large globally working Danish companies. 
                                                                                                                      

While working for Danfoss Ventures, Hanne developed the organizational framework and business process for managing business creation. Furthermore she was in charge of venture investments and held directorships in a number of companies. Hanne holds an MBA from IMD in Lausanne, and a Batchelor in Finance from Copenhagen Business School.

Kristoffer Gandrup 

Innovation Development Manager, Novozymes

Kristoffer Gandrup is Innovation Development Manger at Novozymes. Previously he ran a network of VCs, was partner in a consultancy that did business development for technology companies and was also department manager in an IT venture company.

Kristoffer's specialty is integrating business strategy with people in relation to new business creation. In addition to this, he is seasoned in corporate innovation strategy, venture capital, coaching and in adding an intuitive touch to business management.

Jesper Dalsgaard

Business Development Director, VKR Holding

Jesper is heading up VKR Business Development within VKR Holding. An industrial investor bringing daylight, fresh air and a better environment into people's everyday life. The VKR Group comprise companies such as VELUX, VELFAC, Rationel Vinduer, Sonnenkraft, WindowMaster, Monodraught etc. VKR Business Development is responsible for exploring and commercialising emerging technologies and businesses within the construction and renewable energy sectors.

Jesper holds a M.Sc. in Law and Economics and has extensive management experience from management consulting companies such as A.T. Kearney and the Boston Consulting Company. Previously, Jesper held a position as Business Development Director in the C.W. Obel group as well as CEO of one of the subsidiaries in the group.

Jacob Christoffer Kunstmann

European Project Manager, A/S Dansk Shell

Jacob has a M.Sc in Management, Innovation and Business Development from Copenhagen Business School. In addition he has spent 6 months in France and 2 months in China studying international business and developing markets. Previously Jacob has worked as Procurement Executive in Shell, responsible for the negotiation of contracts in UK/Nordic and before that he started and ran his own business. Currently Jacob is working as European Project Manager in Shell.

Sharon Akler 

Account Manager, DELTA Microelectronics

Sharon Akler has over 15 years of international marketing, management and R&D experience in the communication and semiconductor industries. Sharon has been an early key team member at four venture-backed start-ups and holds multiple patents in various aspects of hardware and communication.

Currently, Sharon leads the marketing activities at Teklatech A/S, a technology pioneer providing EDA solutions to the semiconductor market. Previously, Sharon served as product marketing manager at Wisair, a leading provider of Wireless-USB chips. Prior to Wisair, Sharon managed the hardware development of one of the earliest Pre-WiMax wireless systems at Ensemble Communication.

Charlotte Sørensen

Attorney-at-Law, Juriqa Akvokatkontor

As an Attorney-at-Law, Charlotte has founded Juriqa Advokatkontor (Lawfirm) in 2008 - working with commercial law, including employment law, intellectual property law, company law, contract law, IT law, marketing law and of course as legal advisor for start-up companies. Before founding Juriqa, Charlotte got 7 years of practical experience working as a consultant in the danish Ministry of Taxation, as a consultant with expertise in VAT and excise duties in a major audit firm, and as a lawyer at an Aalborg Lawfirm. Furthermore, since 2001, Charlotte has been the author of the footnotes in Karnovs Lovsamling (Lawbooks) re. indirect taxation.

With a masters degree in law from University of Aarhus and additional studies at University of Cambridge, University of California and London Guildhall University, combined with a broad practical experiences, Charlotte has a strong understanding of the needs and possibilities of business and trade.

Sidsel Hauge

European Patent Attorney, Awapatent A/S

Sidsel has been at Awapatent since 2002, and specialises in drafting and prosecuting patent applications worldwide.

She has experience in providing customized patent seminars for the industry, and has previously researched protein chemistry at Macquarie University, Sydney and The Technical University of Denmark.

Sidsel holds a M.Sc. Eng. with Biotechnology as specific field from The Technical University of Denmark.

Flemming Bahner
Chief Executive Officer, Bahner.dk

Flemming Bahner is founder and CEO of research-and advisory company Bahner.dk Ltd. He is also Member of the Board in Connect Denmark, and chairman of the advisory board of Connect Zealand. From 2001-2005 he worked as Nordic Area Leader, Ernst&Young Venture Capital Advisory Group. From 1991 to 2001 he was first CEO of Danish seed-capital and sciencepark CAT. He has been actively involved in the start-up of more than fifty new companies. From 1997-2000 he was Chairman of the Danish Association of Science Parks. Before 1991, he worked for seventeen years as an Associate Professor at Roskilde University, doing research and teaching in industrial innovation and regional development.

Benjamin Lundström
Advokat, LL.M., mediator, partner, Bender von Haller Dragsted

Attorney-at-Law, LL.M., Benjamin Lundström is a partner in BENDER ▪ VON HALLER ▪ DRAGSTED law firm and works with corporate commercial law hereunder as legal advisor for start-up companies.   With master degree s  from both University  of Copenhagen  and the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, Benjamin Lundström has a  strong  background  in corporate commercial law hereunder employment law. 

Benjamin Lundström  has also lectured for a couple of years at University of Copenhagen before he co-founded von Haller Law Firm with Martin von Haller Grønbæk in 2000.   Benjamin Lundström has been on the Jury since 2001 and will continue contributing with his insight on legal and commercial aspects of starting up a business.

Max Damgaard 

Business Consultant, Væksthus Hovedstaden

Max Damgaard holds a Master of law from University of Aarhus and a Bac. Sc (Econ) from Southern Denmark Business School. For the past 13 years he has participated in a number of projects all over Europe, both as expert, as the financial coordinator and as overall manager.

Max Damgaard has worked for CONNECT Denmark as the regional manager of the capital region advising a broad portfolio of entrepreneurs and companies with a high-growth potential, as well as being the secretary of the board. Previously with The Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Roskilde University and KHR Engineering (Germany).

André Elm

Regional Manager Zealand, Connect Denmark

André Elm has a background as a mechanical engineer. For the past 16 years, André has been working as an business adviser for entrepreneurs and has been a board member and CEO in two companies.

André Elm is now working as Regional Manager for CONNECT Denmark. Managing the Zealand region, he advises a broad portfolio of entrepreneurs and companies with high-growth potential.

Niels Elbek 
CEO, Elbek & Vejrup A/S 

Niels is CEO and one of the two founders of Elbek & Vejrup A/S. Elbek & Vejrup is one of the largest it consultant houses in Denmark regarding resource- and economic management. During the 12 years Elbek & Vejrup has existed, the company has experienced constant growth in both revenue and profit.

Niels holds a HD in marketing from Aarhus School of Business and has been working with project-management, sales and business development since 1988. Next to the job as CEO, Niels is involved in a social development program in South America, as one of the owners of a coffee plantation, which brings work to the distance parts of Nicaragua and helps to protect the rainforest from extermination.

Simon Lyngsø
Founder, The Exploring Company

With a sound background in futurism and an inspiring approach to business development Simon Lyngsø helps businesses better understand the consumers in order to create new concepts, products and services.

He's a BA in Economics and Politics and an MA in Contemporary European Studies from Sussex University, England.

Stephan Skare Nielsen
Business Development Manager - CleanTech,  Copenhagen Capacity

Stephan comes from a background in future studies and strategy consulting. He is now Business Development Manager at Copenhagen Capacity in the area of Cleantech. His responsibility is to help international cleantech companies establish in the Copenhagen Region, create international partnerships and showcase Danish cleantech competences to foreign investors. He enjoys analysing opportunities and has a passion for identifying radical and potentially disruptive trends for businesses, society and individuals.

Stephan holds a Master of Science in Innovation and Business Development and a Bachelor in International Business from Copenhagen Business School

Casper Struve

Patent Consultant, Life Science & Chemistry, Zacco Denmark A/S

Casper works with all aspects of intellectual property rights, such as securing patent rights for small and medium sized companies. Prior to joining Zacco, Casper worked as a research chemist for the biotech company PreciSense A/S, as part of a team developing a minimally invasive blood-glucose monitor for the continuous monitoring of glucose levels in diabetics.

Casper holds a M.Sc. degree in Bioorganic Chemistry from University of Copenhagen

Frank A. Mathiasen 

Management Advisor, Center for Ledelse 

Frank has more than 10 years of experience as a business advisor for Danish trades and industries. Advising about all aspects of management from establishment to operation on to developing the companies. Currently, he sits on two boards - production company Nyt Skab ApS and Young Enterprise Region Storkøbenhavn, an NGO. Furthermore, Frank has also been teaching business development, design and internationalisation.

In 2006, Frank developed and completed a growth package course for SMEs at the Danish Technological Institute (the course is still active: http://www.startvaekst.dk/v.i.p_vaekstpakken/0/1). In addition to this, Frank is an assigned mentor to a communications manager (Elg & Ko).

Susanne Høiberg
CEO, European Patent and Trademark Attorney, Partner, Høiberg A/S

Susanne has worked as a medical doctor and cancer researcher before entering the IP profession in 1990 with a Copenhagen based intellectual property firm. Susanne specialises in innovation management within the areas of biotechnology, medicine and medico-technology.

Susanne teaches IP in CEIPI Öresund, as well as at the Technical University of Denmark. She founded Høiberg A/S in 1995.

Kenneth Larsen
Partner and CEO, Keystones

Kenneth Larsen is educated in Denmark and in the U.S.A. and holds a bachelor in electronic engineering and an MBA.  Kenneth has international management experiences from employment in the medical and electronics industry.

Kenneth has years of experience in consulting innovative entrepreneurial companies within business development/planning, building entrepeurneurial teams, strategy formulation, raising risk capital etc.  Kenneth is directly involved in a number of start-up companies as board menber, founder and investor.

Mette Fersum
Life and Business Coach

Mette Fersum is a Life and Business Coach and runs her own coaching business. The aim of the business is to help people succeed with their past, present and future. Mette also works as a Librarian in the Children and Youth Services at a lively public library. Her main job functions are to teach, plan events and conduct children's activities, assist in information retrieval, select and acquire reading materials and encourage use of the library and its resources. Before becoming a librarian, Mette had been working in the health sector for many years, giving her a vast knowledge of medical and surgical issues. Even today Mette keep helself updated in developments in the health industry.

Christian Hvashøj
Business Development Consultant, Insights Nordic 

Christian has been involved in business development and startups for the last 5 years. The last two years Christian has worked as Business Development Consultant at Insights Nordic - a global learning and development company. Christian is part of the strategic board in the Nordic region and handles the long term planning of the business. Alongside, Christian holds the GAM responsibility on some major clients and does consultancy work within leadership and talent development.

Christian was founder and partner of a consultant company before the exit two years ago.

Christian holds a HD diploma in Organization and Management with focus in Strategic leadership and business development.

Christian is a professional networker with the passion of people development.

Sune Højfeldt, M.Sc. Physics, Ph.D. EE
Patent Consultant - Technology & Software, Plougmann & Vingtoft

Sune assists small- and medium-sized companies in optimizing the value of technology and know-how. He also frequently assists investors in making more informed investment decisions by assessing intellectual property rights aspects. Often he is also able to help start-ups meet investors, and vice versa.

He holds a M.Sc. degree in Physics & Mathematics from Copenhagen University and a Ph.d. degree in Electrical Engineering from Technical University of Denmark.

Ulf M. Gaardsted

CEO, SHiFT interactive communication

Ulf is the CEO of SHiFT interactive communication (a company he founded in 1999), a new media agency that designs and develops interactive solutions for websites and touch screens. He has experience in start-up and concept development, as well as user behaviour and interface design.

He is also a partner in Holdgaard // Gaardsted (started in 2004), a company that develop and operates facility houses for entrepreneurs and small businesses, as well as co-founder of MG50 (which he sated at the same time as SHiFT back in 1999), an Aarhus based network organization of more than 50 companies within IT, media and communication.

Björn Rechinger

Patent Manager, Danisco 

Björn Rechinger is currently Patent Manager at Danisco. He was previously patent attorney at Zacco, where he was involved with protection IPR in biotechnology, biochemistry, technical chemistry, as well as medical devices. Before that, he worked as innovator at FOSS Analytical A/S (food analysis), associate professor at the University of Copenhagen (food microbiology), and Carlsberg Laboratory (PostDoc + Ph.D.; molecular biology, plant- and yeast physiology, protein- and immunochemistry).

Björn holds a Master of Science in Technical Chemistry and a Ph.D., both from Vienna University of Technology in Austria (1989 & 1993), as well as an EBA from Engineering College of Copenhagen (2005).

Carsten Snedker

Managing Partner, Innoption IMEA

Carsten Snedker is Managing Partner at Innoption EMEA, a collaboration with Kellogg School of Management, Centre for Research in Technology & innovation. Based on the company's core competencies as an early-stage venture company, Innoption provides its portfolio companies and partner companies with market validated tools that allow their businesses to create radical high-growth beyond the scope of just product and technological innovation. 

Professional experience as entrepreneur, consultant and business developer in industries related to medical technology, IT, information warfare, media, venture capital, non-profit entrepreneurship and innovation management.

Core competence is business development, organizational design & management of technology-based new ventures in terms of rapid internationalization in emerging industries. 

Jannik Hansen

Director, ViSKon Aps

Jannik's specialty is to match good companies with investors. Jannik has experience looking and evaluating booth the commercial value and opportunities of different kinds of projects.

Janniks has 19 years of experience as accountant, and 0 of them, he was State Authorized Public Accountant, and founder and owner of own accounting and auditing firm.

As accountant, Jannik also worked with advising start ups, raising capital, etc. Besides this, Jannik has started two internet business, and is still active partner in one of them

Kim Valbum  

Chief Executive Officer, Erhvervssamarbejdet Sjælland

Kim is the CEO of Zealand Business Development, which is an organisation that provides service to start-ups and SMEs. Kim is experienced in screening ideas and assisting companies to get a hold on the business plan in all its aspects.

Kim holds a M.Sc., an MPA and an MBA and has worked for many years within business development.

Bjørn Ruwald

Bjorn is working for a leading management consultancy. Previously, he has worked in a large European private equity fund as well as having been an entrepreneur. He holds an M.Sc. in finance and accounting from Copenhagen Business School and a B.Sc. in international business, part of which was taken the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University. 

Lars Elbæk 

Lars is the founder of Lars Elbæk Aps, and, he works with business development and general management.

Previously, he worked at Bang & Olufsen for many years, and he gained experience in sales, logistics, marketing, and product management.

Lars has also competences in retail, branding, positioning and advertising up-market consumer durables.

Peter Elsner

Patent Attorney, Life Science & Chemistry, Copenhagen Department of Patrade A/S

Peter holds MSc and PhD degrees in cell biology from the Universities of Southern Denmark and Copenhagen respectively. He has extensive research experience from The University of Copenhagen (Faculty of Health Sciences). Upon leaving The University of Copenhagen, Peter took up a post doc position at Novo Nordisk (Corporate Research Affairs), where he developed a human muscle cell culture system for the screening of drug candidates for diabetes, and further investigated the lead compounds.

From 2003, Peter owned an IPR consulting company of his own, before joining Chas. Hude A/S in 2007 and thereafter Patrade A/S in 2009, where his focus areas are biotechnology, biotechnology related MedTech and bio-fuels. In addition to ordinary IPR disciplines, Peter's specialties are due diligence related to life science start-ups, IPR management, as well as patent strategies coordinated with core technology and business plans.

Verena Simpson

Patent Attorney, Zacco Denmark A/S

Verena has been employed at Zacco since 2002, where her work is primarily focused on European Patent prosecution and litigation. Prior to joining Zacco, she held a position as a tenured research scientist at the Carlsberg Laboratory, and subsequently as head of the department of plant molecular biology at the Carlsberg Research Laboratory. Her areas of special technical expertise include biotechnology, genetic engineering, biochemistry and plant biology.

Verena holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from London University, UK, and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry (1975) from Cambridge University, UK.

Hanne Wick

Consultant and Owner, Wick Kommunikation

Hanne Wick is the owner and driving force behind Wick Kommunikation, started up in 2003. Wick Kommunikation offers professional advice and consultancy in relation to design and structuring of websites, intranet and extranet solutions, search-engine optimisation, as well as general communication and marketing activities on the Internet.

Hanne Wick is a member of a special board of advisors to the mayor of of Aarhus. She is the chairperson of the board of directors of the MG50 Network, comprising some 70 companies operating in the media, IT, communication, and consultancy business.

Furthermore, Hanne Wick acts as a special consultant and coach to entrepreneurs and owners of newly-established companies.

Jens Christian Foged

Regional Head, CONNECT Denmark

Responsible for sales and business development, Jens Christian has worked with more than 100 entrepreneurs and SMEs with high growth potential in the Copenhagen region since he took over this position in the beginning of 2008. As an independent consultant and investor, he has previously developed strategy and organizations in a wide range of industries, including retail, fashion, security, IT and transportation working closely with business angels, venture capital and equity investors.

MBA from IMD in Switzerland, Jens Christians educational background is furthermore within general management from A.P. Moller - Maersk A/S. Working internationally within logistics and transportation, he spent 13 years of his career mainly as posted abroad among others in countries such as South Korea, Japan, West Africa and France. He has also worked in strategy consulting with Quartz Strategy Consultants.

Inga Marie Wollny

Patent Consultant, Zacco Denmark A/S

Inga Marie holds a M.Sc. in Control and Automation from the Technical University of Denmark (2001) and assists industry and public institutions within the areas of patents and commercialization. She has previously worked with immaterial rights for different companies and as a project engineer within the field of control and regulation.

Flemming Eiberg

Value Maker, Eiberg Consult

Flemming is a serial entrepreneur. He has 14 years of experience in entpreneurship and in senior management positions in the ICT industry. The past 8 years Flemming has worked in Eiberg Consult, helping more than 50 start-ups succeed. Specialities include business development, international sales and marketing, product sourcing and management.