Science Ventures Denmark

Jens Kr. Damsgaard directs the firm, with board oversight from Søren E. Frandsen of SDU RIO and external directors Lisbeth Chawes and Claus Wårsøe. Investment decisions are tied to SDU's research pipeline and structured through project companies and spin-out vehicles rather than a stand-alone fund committee.

Deal flow originates inside SDU's laboratories, screened through the SDU Research and Innovation Organisation's dedicated commercialization team. External partnerships with companies like Ericsson, TDC, and NAVIAIR, and research institutions such as DTU and Fraunhofer, create additional channels for joint development and IP in-licensing.

The firm works from pre-seed to Series A, matching its label on the website, and structures pre-company projects within dedicated development vehicles before formal spin-out incorporation. This allows it to mature technologies alongside industrial partners before external fundraising rounds.

Science Ventures Denmark is owned by SDU, and capital primarily comes from the university's research commercialization budgets and equity stakes held on SDU's behalf. External capital is not managed on a pooled basis; rather, the firm acts as a partner and co-owner in each spin-out, bringing in third-party business angels, venture funds, and industrial investors per deal.

Legally, it is a separate company, Science Ventures Denmark A/S, but it remains fully owned by the university and works intimately with SDU RIO's commercialization unit. Spin-outs are independent companies with their own boards, but back-office support — including incorporation and administrative documentation — is provided by Science Ventures Denmark.