From pitch to investment: Aarhus Investor Summit shows the way for startups with a global outlook

This year’s theme is “The US Shift – What it means for Europe’s investors and founders.” For decades, the US has been the most attractive market for European startups, but in a time of new trade barriers, geopolitical tensions, and shifting capital flows, it now requires sharper timing, strategy, and risk appetite.

One of the day’s keynote speakers is Professor Peter Viggo Jakobsen, a researcher in security policy at the Royal Danish Defence College. He will offer insights into the global situation with a focus on the US role and the implications that political decisions and security tensions may have for European businesses and investments.

“The American economy, security policy, and technological dominance increasingly shape the conditions for European founders and investors. That’s why it’s crucial to understand the long-term dynamics in the US–Europe relationship—and how we can best position ourselves,” says Peter Viggo Jakobsen.

The summit program also includes a panel discussion on opportunities and challenges in the US market, interviews with founders currently expanding to the US, and presentations from new venture funds active in Aarhus. In addition, the popular One-Minute Madness returns, where selected startups pitch live on stage. The day concludes with the announcement of the winners of the INCUBA Awards 2025, honoring Startup of the Year and Investor of the Year for their contributions to the East Jutland startup ecosystem.

Investor: Concrete investments born out of the summit

The summit not only inspires, but also generates concrete investments. One of the investors who actively uses the Aarhus Investor Summit as a deal flow platform is Stefan Rosenlund from the Dreamers Collective fund:

"As an investor, the Aarhus Investor Summit is a unique opportunity to meet strong founders on home turf. Last year, I heard Cernel pitch on stage – today, I am an investor in the company myself. This shows the value of bringing so many sharp start-ups and investors together in the same room," says Stefan Rosenlund, who is in the final field to win the Investor of the Year award at this year's summit.

Experiences like this underscore how the Aarhus Investor Summit has become a central gathering point for both capital and talent. The Aarhus Investor Summit 2025 will once again bring the ecosystem together at Aarhus City Hall and put both the international and local scenes into play.

The summit has become an annual milestone for both investors and startups. It is here that we gain new perspectives on the major global agendas, while also establishing concrete connections that can lead to investment and growth. Things are going well in Aarhus – both in terms of the development of new cases and the ecosystem itself – and the Aarhus Investor Summit helps to support this positive development. With this year's focus on the United States, we will highlight the challenges and opportunities that are most pressing for founders and investors right now," says Jacob Doktor Mogensen, CEO of INCUBA.

Stefan Rosenlund, Dreamers Collective, Aarhus Investor Summit 2024

Jacob Doktor Mogensen, INCUBA, Aarhus Investor Summit 2024