NEWS - 09 September 2026

INCUBA turns 40: From Denmark’s first science park to the next step

On 9 September, INCUBA celebrates its 40th anniversary. What began with 2,600 square metres on Gustav Wieds Vej in 1986 has grown and evolved over four decades alongside the companies, research environments and innovation ecosystem of Aarhus.

Today, INCUBA is a professional development environment and home to startups, spinouts, scaleups and corporates within IT/tech, cleantech and life science. Here, entrepreneurs and founders become part of an environment that also brings together investors, mentors, researchers, students and business specialists where different experiences, skills and ambitions meet every day.

But the fundamental idea remains the same: to create the best possible conditions for turning knowledge into new companies, growth and value.

It all began on Gustav Wieds Vej

When Forskerpark Aarhus opened in 1986, it was Denmark’s first science park. The first 2,600 square metres were located on Gustav Wieds Vej close to Aarhus University, and the following year, the Aarhus University Research Foundation established the property company FEAS, which was responsible for the construction of the first permanent science park buildings.

In 1988, Queen Margrethe II laid the foundation stone for the permanent buildings. This created the physical setting for an ambition that has remained a common thread throughout INCUBA’s history: bringing research, innovation and business closer together.

New areas of expertise emerged

Over the following decades, the science park grew both physically and professionally.

IT-Forskerpark Katrinebjerg was established in 2001, and in 2004, Denmark’s first biomedical science park opened next to Skejby Hospital. These new environments brought INCUBA even closer to some of Aarhus’ strongest research fields.

A significant chapter in the story unfolded at Katrinebjerg in 2006. Here, Google’s development team, led by computer scientist Lars Bak, developed the technology that became Google Chrome.

The following year, IT-huset and Forskerpark Aarhus merged to form INCUBA Science Park. In 2013, the name was shortened to the INCUBA we know today.

From Katrinebjerg and Skejby to the waterfront

In 2014, another location was added when INCUBA opened 10,000 square metres of science park facilities at Navitas on the Aarhus waterfront.

INCUBA now had a strong presence in three distinct innovation environments in Aarhus: IT and tech at Katrinebjerg, life science in Skejby, and cleantech and energy at Navitas.

Development continued at Katrinebjerg. Construction of INCUBA Next began in 2022, and in 2024, the 22,000-square-metre high-rise opened, significantly expanding INCUBA’s facilities for knowledge-intensive companies.

Read the book "INCUBA - Forskerpark i Aarhus i 40 år"

New opportunities for the next generation

Forty years of development is about much more than additional square metres.

In 2025, the Aarhus University Research Foundation became the sole owner of INCUBA. That same year, INCUBA launched INCUBA Next Level Founder & Investor Hub, bringing startups with scaling potential and investors closer together. Delphinus Venture Capital also became part of the Investor Hub.

This is one example of how the role of the science park continues to evolve. The physical setting provides the foundation, but companies today need much more: community, capital, expertise, talent and access to the right people at the right time.

40 years – and the next step awaits

In 2026, INCUBA has brought that ambition together in the words Advance, together.

Although much has changed since 1986, the fundamental task remains the same: to create an environment where knowledge-intensive companies can develop and take their next step.

On 9 September, we celebrate our first 40 years with cake and bubbles at the receptions in all three INCUBA hubs. Companies and employees can also explore our anniversary timeline and follow the journey from Denmark’s first science park to INCUBA anno 2026.

Thank you to all the companies, founders, entrepreneurs, employees, researchers, students, investors, mentors, partners and many others who have been part of INCUBA over the years.

We look forward to the chapters ahead.

Advance, together.