University spinouts get easier lift-off in Denmark

Standard contracts for research-based companies are now being implemented across all Danish universities. This means that building, and scaling, a business based on university research becomes a lot more viable. The new contracts were crafted by INNOVATION DISTRICT COPENHAGEN-partner University of Copenhagen in close consultation with existing companies and all Danish universities.

Varied terms and processes challenged founders

The initiative follows recommendation from a Danish government task force on increased knowledge and technology transfer, and a broad political agreement of 26 January 2026 to implement its recommendations. The aim is for research at Danish universities to achieve more societal impact and commercialisation. Until now, terms and processes have varied, which could challenge researchers focused on bringing their research based invention to life in society. The process will now become significantly simpler, easier, faster – and cheaper.

With the new national standard contracts, we now offer all researchers the same fair terms and make the process simpler and faster for everyone. This reduces uncertainty for our entrepreneurs and allows them to focus on their product and company. We also make it cheaper and more transparent”: David Dreyer Lassen, Rector, University of Copenhagen.

Developed in Collaboration with Industry and the Entrepreneurship Community

The new standard licence contracts have been developed in close collaboration between the universities and representatives from the entrepreneurship community and industry organisations. They build on best practices and industry standards from both Denmark and abroad. Researchers who wish to turn their research into a new technology or company will have access to simple, publicly available contract models, from which founders may choose. Regardless of which model is chosen, there are no upfront costs, and overall costs have been reduced.

The 2024 Draghi Report made it clear that Europe is falling behind on innovation. The political agreement on strengthening knowledge and technology transfer – and the new standard contracts – are our response to closing the innovation gap. We are acting quickly on the political ambition to make Denmark and Europe better and faster at commercialising research”: David Dreyer Lassen, Rector, the University of Copenhagen.

First formal agreement on shared practices

This is the first time standard contracts have been created in this area, and the first time that universities and industry have formally agreed to use a shared framework in practice. Universities are now considering whether these standards should be extended to areas beyond spinouts.
A comprehensive and user friendly guideline has been developed alongside the contracts, designed to provide an overview and guide researchers through the agreement structures as easily as possible.

We are now creating a more streamlined agreement framework for universities, researchers and entrepreneurs, taking an important step toward strengthening Denmark’s innovative capacity even further. We will continue to work to create even better conditions for establishing more research based companies”: David Dreyer Lassen, Rector, the University of Copenhagen.

Task Force on Strengthened Knowledge and Technology Transfer

The initiative stems from the recommendations of the government’s Taskforce for Strengthened Knowledge and Technology Transfer, which in the November 2025 report “A significant boost to knowledge based innovation and entrepreneurship in Denmark” highlighted the need for more uniform and predictable conditions for entrepreneurs. The task force consisted of representatives from ministries, industry, foundations and universities. On 26 January 2026, the government entered into a broad political agreement to implement the task force’s recommendations, and the standard contracts are a central element in this agreement.

The new standard contracts ensure:

• Clearer and more transparent terms for IP and commercialisation of research
• Shorter negotiation times and more efficient processes
• More consistent practice across universities
• That research can benefit society to a greater extent through new research based companies
• User friendliness through simplification and a comprehensive guideline