Opening Speech with Christina Egelund, Minister for Higher Education and Science

Minister for Higher Education & Science, Christina Egelund welcomes everyone for DTU Startup Day 2025 and sets the scene for a day in the name of technology-based startups and European resilience.

Keynote Building European Resilience: Why Deep Tech is Our Best Defense

Margrethe Vestager, Chair of the Board of DTU & Former Executive VP of the EU Commission & Commissioner for Competition

Join Margrethe Vestager, Chair of the Board of Governors of DTU and former Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, for a discussion on how Europe can strengthen its deep tech capabilities in the face of global competition. Margrethe will explore key areas for growth, strategic measures for long-term competitiveness, and the crucial role of universities and research institutions in fostering innovation for Europe's future in deep tech.

Panel Discussion Unlocking the Potential of Innovation Ecosystems from a Founder Perspective

Moderator: Anders Kjær, Managing Partner & Co-founder, PSV Hafnium

Speakers: Helmut Schönenberger, CEO of UnternehmerTUM;
Ikhlaq Sidhu, Dean & Professor at IE, School of Science & Technology, & Chief Scientist at Sutardja Center, UC Berkeley;
Theodor Nielsen, CEO & Co-founder of NIL Technology;
Irina Borodina, Co-founder of BioPhero & Professor at DTU

Bringing groundbreaking technology to market is no easy feat—but what does it actually take from a founder’s perspective? What support, resources, and ecosystem structures truly make a difference in turning scientific breakthroughs into successful deep-tech companies?

Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion where we put founders at the center of the conversation. Instead of discussing ecosystems in the abstract, we’ll explore what scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs need to succeed when spinning out deep-tech ventures.

Featuring insights from Helmut Schönenberger (CEO, UnternehmerTUM), Ikhlaq Sidhu (Dean & Professor, IE School of Science & Technology), Theodor Nielsen (CEO & Co-founder, NIL Technology), and Irina Borodina (Co-founder, BioPhero & Professor, DTU), this discussion will cut through the noise and focus on real challenges, real experiences, and real solutions—straight from those who’ve built and supported deep-tech companies.

Inspirational Fireside Chat Bridging Science and Business: A Fireside Chat with Phillip Chambers & Jonas Bjarnø

Moderator Stine Mølgaard, Partner at Alliance VC, chairwoman, Author, & Award-winning Entrepreneur

Speakers: Phillip Chambers, CEO of Orbex & former Co-founder of Peakon; Jonas B. Bjarnø, Chief Scientist at Orbex & Former Senior Scientist at DTU Space

What happens when a serial entrepreneur and a deep-tech scientist join forces to build a company? How do you turn fundamental differences into a competitive advantage instead of roadblocks?

Join Phillip Chambers, CEO of Orbex and a seasoned entrepreneur with multiple successful exits e.g. Peakon, and Jonas B. Bjarnø, Chief Scientist of Orbex and former DTU Space scientist, for an engaging fireside chat on navigating the intersection of developing the science and the commercial business in a deep-tech company.

With backgrounds that couldn’t be more different—one rooted in commercial strategy, the other in cutting-edge research—Philip and Jonas will share their experiences in leveraging each other’s strengths, building a shared vision, and accelerating deep-tech growth without getting lost in translation (or calling for a translator!).

Don’t miss this insightful discussion on how to make differences your greatest asset!