Pride, community and local focus: Hear from the winners of the INCUBA Award 2025

When passionate people create value – for their teams, investors, and the local startup scene – it deserves to be celebrated. At Aarhus Investor Summit on October 9, Formalize and Stefan Rosenlund from Dreamers Collective were honored as the winners of the INCUBA Award 2025 in the categories Startup of the Year and Investor of the Year. Both represent what the award is truly about: Courage, ambition, and a strong belief that success is built together.

Formalize – a startup driven by ambition and team spirit

In just a few years, Formalize has grown from an early-stage idea into an international company with offices in four European cities. With roots in Aarhus, the team has built a platform that makes compliance and legal automation more accessible for businesses across industries.

Behind the growth and success lies a team that has worked relentlessly to find the right product and the right path forward.

“Winning this award actually means a lot to us. The internal recognition matters – and being able to pass that on to the team. We have many long working days, so it’s great to see our work being acknowledged. There’s a sense of pride, and as an employee here, it’s something to be proud of and put on your CV. It’s great to be able to share that,” says Jakob Lilholm, CEO and Co-founder of Formalize.

The jury highlights Formalize for its ability to adapt, scale internationally, and stay rooted in the local ecosystem, where the company continues to attract and retain top talent.

Stefan Rosenlund – an investor with roots and reach

As founder of Dreamers Collective and former CEO of Zitcom, Stefan Rosenlund has long been a central figure in the Aarhus tech scene.

His approach to investing is about more than capital – it’s about craftsmanship, experience, and building something that lasts.

“I’m extremely Aarhus-focused, and this is a local award. Winning it this year feels absolutely amazing. I’m building both my own investment activities and a platform for other founders, so I can use this award as a stamp of approval – and as proof that I bring craftsmanship to what I do. It’s awesome,” says Stefan Rosenlund.

With a clear mission to get more people from Aarhus to invest in Aarhus, Rosenlund is, according to the jury, a role model for investors who combine local engagement with global ambition.

An award that lifts more than its winners

The INCUBA Award was established to honor the startups and investors who make a real difference in the Central Denmark startup ecosystem – and who inspire others through their achievements and mindset.

For Jacob Doktor Mogensen, CEO of INCUBA, the award is ultimately about community and momentum:

“When we recognize those who lead the way, we strengthen the foundation of the entire ecosystem. Formalize and Stefan Rosenlund show what happens when ambition, collaboration and local engagement go hand in hand – and that’s exactly what the INCUBA Award aims to highlight.”

Read more about the INCUBA award