Innovation
Innovation to become a purpose of universities – SDU poised
SDU’s Rector, Jens Ringsmose, is looking forward to new opportunities for spinouts, collaborations with businesses and a boost in the transfer of knowledge and technology.
It is not often that changes are made to the purpose of Danish universities. But significant amendments are being made at the moment. Innovation is to become part the universities’ task in the future – on a par with research and education.
This will shape the University of Southern Denmark and the ways in which we will think and work in the future, emphasises Rector Jens Ringsmose.
A political agreement on strengthened transfer of knowledge and technology – entered into by almost all parties in the Danish Parliament on 26 January – has decreed that the universities in Denmark must be a central driving force for innovation and the establishment of new growth companies.
A bill is currently in consultation, which will include innovation in the clause on purpose in the University Act and eliminate some of the barriers that are slowing down innovation at universities.
Universities as drivers of innovation
The Rector at SDU is pleased:
- It is clear to everyone – especially in the wake of the Draghi Report and the clear messages from Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission – that Europe is lagging behind in innovation, and it is crucial that universities strengthen our role as drivers of innovation, growth companies and welfare, says Jens Ringsmose and elaborates:
- For this reason, it is very positive that the political system has acted so quickly and allocated substantial funds to the research reserve for innovation as well as followed the task force recommendations for a more uniform and efficient system for knowledge and technology transfer from university to business. This will bring about great change, but of course it also sets clear expectations for us as a university.
Exceedingly successful
In particular, Jens Ringsmose is looking forward to the strengthened opportunities to invest in research parks, to invite companies to rent space in SDU’s campus buildings and to invest in the University’s spinouts, thereby increasing the chances of the successful commercialisation of research ideas.
What are SDU’s strengths in innovation and entrepreneurship?
- We have been exceedingly successful in this area for a long time. When I visited Swinbourne University in Melbourne recently, their Industry 4.0 lab was filled with Universal Robots arms, which, as you know, originated from SDU. And in November, the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark announced the institution’s largest life science exit in direct investments: the sale to Nordic Capital of owner’s shares in Evosep Biosystems, which also grew out of research at SDU, says Jens Ringsmose and elaborates:
- In general, many people at SDU are eager to start commercialising their research ideas, and they will now have more opportunities to live out their ambitions. I am convinced that the new changes in legislation will create fertile ground for even more researchers from different fields to get started. Of course, there will still be a long way to go from research idea to commercialisation, but the legislative changes increase the likelihood of success.
Excellent foundation
Rector Jens Ringsmose also emphasises that the robust innovation and entrepreneurship setup in SDU RIO which SDU has built over the years is an excellent foundation for creating an environment that can generate even more successful spinouts.
What has happened at universities since ‘from research to invoice’ was met with scepticism in the 2000s?
- It’s really interesting what has happened. In any case, the situation is completely different today. It seems that Helge Sander’s thoughts are more in line with the zeitgeist and the culture at universities now than when they were formulated back in the 2000s, says Rector Jens Ringsmose and elaborates:
- In my opinion, activating our research through innovation activities is completely in accordance with the research-based university, which emerged in the 19th century and was created to create value. When research at SDU gives rise to a company, and that company creates jobs, then we are truly living up to what we were ultimately created to do as a university.
The agreement on strengthened knowledge and technology transfer in brief
The agreement was entered into by the Government (Socialdemokatiet, Venstre and Moderaterne) and Danmarksdemokraterne, Socialistisk Folkeparti, Liberal Alliance, Det Konservative Folkeparti, Dansk Folkeparti, Radikale Venstre and Alternativet on 26 January 2026.
A task force for the strengthening of knowledge and technology transfer, established in February 2025, had previously made recommendations on how to create a more uniform and efficient system for knowledge and technology transfer from university to business, and how better opportunities for physical co-location on campus can be created by amending the so-called Campus Act.
The task force’s recommendations have been met and implemented with the agreement on strengthened knowledge and technology transfer. This means:
- Innovation and entrepreneurship will become a prescribed task for universities through the amendment of the University Act's clause stating the purpose of universities.
- A better framework will be created for entrepreneurship and business collaboration on campus by generally giving universities the opportunity to rent premises directly to businesses, services and selected cultural offers in connection with activities related to the university’s purpose, including research parks.
- There will be attractive conditions and fewer administrative barriers for entrepreneurs and companies that draw on the results and facilities of research institutions.
- Entrepreneurs, including research-based entrepreneurs, will have better access to risk-based loans and patient equity investments so that their business model can be scaled and attract private investments. Among other things, subsidiaries of the universities will have increased opportunities to invest in startups and spinouts.