International quantum start-up accelerator to locate in Copenhagen Science City
The Copenhagen Science City-located incubation programme BioInnovation Institute has been appointed by the Danish government to run an international deep tech start-up accelerator specifically aimed at developing companies based on new insights into quantum phenomena. The accelerator, Deep Tech Lab – Quantum, will strengthen Copenhagen Science City as a global hotspot of quantum science and commercialization.
Deep tech and quantum science have received significant attention from governmental organizations, universities, and investors for their potential to play a role in tackling significant societal challenges. To unlock the potential in quantum science through start-up innovation, the Danish Government has appointed the international non-profit foundation BioInnovation Institute (BII) to create and run the new deep tech start-up accelerator. The accelerator is part of a joint initiative by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the NATO Diana Quantum Centre, which is expected to fund early-stage start-ups with up to 1 billion euros over a 15-year timeframe.
It is the Government’s ambition that Denmark remains at the forefront of quantum technology development. Our ability to innovate is a key part of this ambition. Quantum is of great strategic importance to Denmark and requires close collaboration between the Government, universities and private entities. We are very pleased that BII and a number of Danish universities have partnered with us to contribute to the DIANA and help realize the dual-use potential of quantum solutions”: Troels Lund Poulsen, acting Danish Minister of Defence.
Improving a valuable innovation district
BioInnovation Institute (BII) is an international non-profit foundation headquartered in Copenhagen Science City. It has been incubating and accelerating world-class life science research since 2018. It announced the launch of the new deep tech accelerator start-up program, the Deep Tech Lab – Quantum in May 2023. It aims to propel emergent and disruptive quantum science solutions toward the marketplace and complements a thriving quantum ecosystem in Copenhagen.
Copenhagen Science City welcomes this initiative from the Danish Government and BioInnovation Institute. Our innovation district is home to The Niels Bohr Institute, which is arguably the birthplace of quantum science. It is also home to research communities working to develop hardware and software for the new machines and a new cross-curricular quantum study programme for chemists, physicists, computer scientists and mathematicians will ensure a steady stream of high-quality graduates. Taken together, these initiatives make Copenhagen Science City an international lighthouse for quantum technology”: Kristoffer Klebak, Head of Secretariat, Copenhagen Science City.
Best and brightest innovators
As part of Denmark’s vibrant innovation ecosystem in quantum science, the accelerator will act as an important step in fostering the most impactful technological solutions developed by the best and brightest innovators says the CEO of BioInnovation Institute.
We are proud to have been appointed by the Danish government to drive the new quantum accelerator in collaboration with strong players in the science ecosystem. We truly believe this initiative is a big step forward in further exploiting the commercial potential that quantum science holds. BII offers a strong platform to bring ground-breaking life sciences research and innovative ideas to the market”: Jens Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer, BioInnovation Institute
Foundation strengthens innovation ecosystem
BII is set to maintain its close collaboration with The Novo Nordisk Foundation, which recently announced funding to develop Denmark’s first fully operational quantum computer.
This according to Chief Operating Officer at the Foundation, Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen.
I am thrilled to see BioInnovation Institute take on the operation of the new Deep Tech Lab – Quantum accelerator, as it is a testament to the effectiveness and success of BII’s life science acceleration programs. This expansion into new related areas clearly demonstrates BII’s commitment to continuous innovation and growth. By strengthening the innovation ecosystem this way, we can drive the development of ground-breaking solutions that benefit people and society”: Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO, Novo Nordisk Foundation
Close collaboration between industry and research organisations
BII will operate the new accelerator in close collaboration with academia and industry organizations to seek out novel, cutting-edge technological solutions. It will take advantage of Denmark’s strong innovation ecosystem within quantum science, such as the Niels Bohr Institute, which is the physics department at Copenhagen Science City-partner University of Copenhagen.
Denmark has an internationally recognized position within quantum technology, and the Danish ecosystem is one of the fastest growing. The DIANA Quantum Centre is a unique platform for expanding the Danish ecosystem and for attracting companies, talent, and investments in Danish high technology, and for further strengthening the Danish research in the field of quantum technology”: Jan Westenkær Thomsen, Head of Department at the Niels Bohr Institute, where the DIANA Centre is established with contributions from DTU, AU and the Danish National Metrology Institute.
About BioInnovation Institute
The new quantum start-up accelerator will be built on the same ground principles as BII’s Venture Lab program, which has already proven to be a successful and attractive innovation platform for accelerating early-stage life science start-up projects. Establishing a quantum start-up accelerator is only one of many initiatives to position Denmark as a world leader in quantum science, a field expected to hold tremendous potential.
The start-up companies in the program will gain access to a network of top-tier trusted investors, business mentorship, and education from expert staff, and state-of-the-art testing opportunities in BII’s office space and laboratories. It is also planned that some of the companies may receive non-dilutive funding (investment capital that does not require ownership in the company).
The first deep tech start-up companies are expected to join the accelerator program in the fall of 2023, and it is expected to have a fully operational program in Copenhagen, Denmark, as part of a pan-European network of similar start-up accelerators in 2025.
About Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA)
DIANAQ (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic Quantum Center) provides deep tech and dual-use innovators with access to NATO resources including grant funding, accelerator programming, and pathways to adapt their solutions for defence and security needs. Read more on: https://www.diana.nato.int
About the DeepTech Lab
Deep Tech Lab – Quantum supports startups in quantum technologies to drive innovation, cultivate the ecosystem, and strengthen Denmark’s leadership in the field. The program focuses on business acceleration, scientific advancement, and team development. It offers unique resources for startups seeking to accelerate their growth and achieve their full potential. Through its affiliation with the DIANA Center for Quantum Technologies, Deep Tech Lab – Quantum will also be part of the DIANAQ Accelerator Network established by NATO to foster an eco-system of innovators within several emerging and disruptive technology areas. Deep Tech Lab is an independent entity under BioInnovation Institute (BII). Read more at www.deeptechlab.bii.dk
About Copenhagen Science City
Copenhagen Science City is a two square kilometre innovation district in the heart of the Danish capital. Here, University of Copenhagen, University Hospital Rigshospitalet and University College Copenhagen are working to create optimal conditions for students and researchers dreaming of starting a business, and for companies who need to develop, validate or test their products in collaboration with the knowledge institutions.
