One of the world’s best seed-accelerators, Accelerace, has raised an investment of 1.4 million Euro from public and private sources. Accelerace has offices with the two Copenhagen Science City-partners SYMBION and COBIS, and the additional resources will enable the business advisors to improve and expand their services to entrepreneurs. The investment comes from Færchfonden, The Danish Growth Fund and Symbion.

Adding industry specific programmes

The Accelerace acceleration programmes consist of one-on-one advice, mentorship, access to industry experts and relevant serial entrepreneurs as well as access to a network of larger established companies and investors. With this capital injection, Accelerace plans to stay ahead of emerging technologies by launching new industry-specific accelerator programmes.

Best Nordic, global top-ten

Named “Best Nordic Accelerator Programme” in 2017 by Nordic Startup Awards, Accelerace is considered one of the world’s top 10 seed-accelerators. Since 2008, they have advised and professionalized over 800 start-up companies in the industries of technology, food technologies, cleantech and life science (biotech, medtech and healthcare). A large number of the Accelerace startups raise investments within 12 months of exiting a training program.

Ex-Chairman: New ownership improves access to international investors

The added financial muscle and the addition of new owners substantially strengthens Accelerace’s contribution to the innovation ecosystem in Copenhagen Science City. Jørgen Bardenfleth, who is Chairman of co-owner Symbion, has been Chairman of Accelerace since its inception and will continue as a board member. He says:

“Accelerace has been working tirelessly since 2008 to build a strong ecosystem for startups and entrepreneurs, providing advice from industry experts, and access to a network of relevant experts, possible corporate partners and investors. The new ownership structure with Færchfonden and the Danish Growth Fund as main shareholders, along with Symbion as co-owner, will give the Accelerace startups the best opportunity to grow internationally and professionalise their companies with access to the best Danish and international investment funds,” says Bardenfleth.

Machine learning and artificial intelligence can spot the winners

As a new initiative, Accelerace has developed a digital method that is expected to be used as a tool to predict which startups have the greatest chances of success and which can raise funding quickly and efficiently. The system is based on artificial intelligence and machine learning from data collected by Accelerace since 2008. The long-term goal of the start-up specialists is to help create more jobs through investments in technologically advanced companies.