INNOVATION DISTRICT COPENHAGEN announces new CEO

Today, 4th March 2026, the Innovation District Copenhagen association is delighted to announce the appointment of Annemarie Munk Riis as new CEO. Munk Riis’ background combines leadership roles at Innovation Fund Denmark and The City of Copenhagen with strategic positions at The Danish Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs. Add her entrepreneurial experience as co-founder of IRIS group to the mix and she is uniquely positioned to transform the vision for INNOVATION DISTRICT COPENHAGEN into reality.

Implementing the vision-plan

As CEO Munk Riis will drive the development of new facilities for innovation and entrepreneurship while strengthening the district’s innovation ecosystem even further. All in accordance with the districts vision-plan presented in September 2025.

This district has immense potential, and I can’t wait to get started. It has five research-driven organisations as anchor institutions. Combining these with partners from state, municipality, business, capital, foundations, innovation accelerators and research parks the Innovation District Copenhagen partnership really has everything it takes to build an international powerhouse for innovation. I look forward to helping create optimal conditions for bringing together researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and businesses”: Annemarie Munk Riis.

Development understanding was key

Riis comes directly from a position as CEO of Green Building Council Denmark. According to the association chair, her insights into the building sector was a key factor in her appointment.

With the development of the innovation district, we aim to create a physical infrastructure and ecosystem where inventors, investors, entrepreneurs and citizens will all want to stay a little longer to innovate a bit more. Some of the world’s most valuable companies originate from basic research. As leading European universities and hospitals, we, the academic and clinical institutions in the district, have a special obligation to create value for Denmark – and the rest of Europe”: David Dreyer, Chair, Innovation District Copenhagen and Rector, University of Copenhagen.

Joins in summer

Annemarie Munk Riis holds a degree in economics from the University of Copenhagen and a PhD from Copenhagen Business School. She will join Innovation District Copenhagen on 1st June 2026.

The partners in the Innovation District Copenhagen association are:

• BioInnovation Institute (BII)
• Bispebjerg Hospital
• City of Copenhagen
• Danish Building and Property Agency
• Danish Industry Foundation
• Danish Technical University (DTU)
• LEO Foundation
• Lundbeck Foundation
• Ministry for Higher Education and Science
• Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs
• Novo Nordisk A/S
• Novo Nordisk Foundation
• Symbion
• The Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO)
• University College Copenhagen (Københavns Professionshøjskole)
• University Hospital Rigshospitalet
• University of Copenhagen
• Freja Ejendomme
• Quantum Denmark