Denmark's vibrant and dynamic venture capital and startup ecosystem has recently been at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship. Among the pioneers shaping this landscape are numerous talented and driven women who have significantly contributed to the growth and success of startups and investment firms across the country.
In this article, we are going to shine a spotlight on some of Denmark's most influential and accomplished women in the VC and startup sphere.
Tine Thygesen
Chairman of Innovation Fund Denmark
Tine Thygesen is a highly experienced professional with a strong strategic governance, entrepreneurship, and technology background. She has held five CEO roles, served on seven active boards, and held eight former board positions. Additionally, Tine has started four businesses, highlighting her entrepreneurial spirit and expertise in the startup ecosystem.
Presently, she serves as the Chairman of Innofounder, a program by Innovation Fund Denmark. Innofounder grants 130 million DKK each year to very early-stage companies. Tine chairs the committee responsible for selecting these investments. The program is operated by Innovationsfonden, a public investor with an extensive portfolio of 2500 investments worth 6.1 billion DKK.
Cecilie Hvidberg Jakobsen
CEO & Founder at Wawa Fertility
Cecilie is the CEO & Founder of Wawa Fertility, a pioneering clinic and patient management solution set to revolutionize clinic performance and elevate patient engagement. Leveraging her impressive background as a data analyst and a decade of experience in the technology sector, she brings a formidable blend of technical expertise and managerial acumen to her entrepreneurial endeavors.
Having previously co-founded a company that was acquired by KMD, a leading provider of tech solutions for public healthcare in Denmark, Cecilie immersed herself in the world of public healthcare tech solutions. During this time, she developed a profound passion for healthcare and recognized the untapped industry innovation potential.
Katja Grothe-Eberhard
CEO and Co-founder of Klimate.co
Katja Grothe-Eberhard is the visionary CEO and Co-founder of Klimate.co, an innovative venture established in 2020 with a resolute mission: to expedite viable solutions to the pressing climate crisis.
With a distinguished background in consulting, Katja spent three years at Boston Consulting Group, honing her expertise in the business domain. Her entrepreneurial spirit then led her to serve as Partner and COO at the prominent blockchain platform BLOC. In 2020, Katja resolved to channel all her energy and expertise into a cause she is deeply passionate about: combating climate change.
Tine Marie Kjærgaard Lindgreen
Principal at Seed Capital
Tine Marie Kjærgaard Lindgreen is Principal at Seed Capital, an esteemed investment firm with a proven track record of supporting startups from seed to Series A and even beyond.
Prior to her role at Seed Capital, Tine Marie Kjærgaard Lindgreen garnered valuable experience across various roles within the startup and venture ecosystem. Having transitioned from Investment Banking to an operational role, she served as Head of Business Development at Ageras, a thriving fintech scaleup, followed by significant contributions to business development and investment processes at Vækstfonden.
Heidi Gytz Olesen
Co-founder of Commit Biologics and researcher at Molecular Biology and Genetics, AU
Heidi Gytz Olesen is a dedicated Co-founder of Commit Biologics and a distinguished molecular biology and genetics researcher at Aarhus University. With her expertise and passion, she has been instrumental in developing Commit Biologics' groundbreaking platform technology, designed to leverage the potential of the complement system—an essential component of the innate immune system. This innovative technology boasts a unique mechanism of action, promising to revolutionize cancer treatment with a novel type of immunotherapy targeting various forms of cancer.
Before starting her entrepreneurial journey with Commit Biologics, Heidi Gytz Olesen honed her research skills as a postdoctoral researcher at McGill University, further deepening her knowledge and contributions to the scientific community.
Lene Gerlach
Founder of WiLD
Lene Gerlach is a distinguished Venture Capitalist with a remarkable specialization in Life Science investments. As the Founder of Women in Life Science Denmark (WiLD), a non-profit organization tailored for executives and experts within the Life Science Industry, she actively promotes diversity and advancement in the field.
Additionally, Lene Gerlach serves as a Partner at EIR Ventures. This prominent life sciences venture capital fund focuses on investing in private companies led by exceptional entrepreneurs driving transformative therapeutic approaches.
Sara López Alaguero
Co-founder of Yuman
Sara López Alaguero is a dynamic entrepreneur and Co-founder of Yuman, an innovative Danish robotics startup established in February 2022. Yuman is on a mission to tackle one of the most pressing issues in the healthcare industry, the shortage of nurses. With a vision to revolutionize healthcare logistics, Yuman specializes in the development of autonomous mobile robots designed to serve as valuable "transport buddies" for nurses.
By automating the transportation of small equipment within hospital wards, these robots efficiently assist nurses in their daily caregiving tasks.
Dr. Fiona Pathiraja
Managing Partner at Crista Galli Ventures, Founder of Fiona
Dr. Fiona Pathiraja has impressive credentials and a multifaceted career as an Investor, Philanthropist, and Board Member. As the founder of Fiona's fund, she invests strategically across three dynamic health tech verticals: deep tech, digital health, and tech bio.
In addition to her impressive investment activities, Dr. Pathiraja brings a wealth of experience as a former medical doctor, specifically as a Consultant Radiologist in the National Health Service (NHS). Her expertise extends across various sectors, including health policy development in the UK government, management consultancy, and frontline medicine.
Helen Gaffney
Partner at Novo Holdings
Halen Gaffney is a prominent figure in the investment domain, serving as Partner at Novo Holdings. Novo Holdings is a pivotal holding and investment company entrusted with managing the substantial assets and wealth of the esteemed Novo Nordisk Foundation, renowned for being one of the world's largest philanthropic enterprise foundations.
Before her association with Novo Holdings A/S, Helen worked as an investment professional with the private equity firm OpCapita in London. During this time, she exhibited her expertise by actively engaging with existing portfolio companies and skillfully assessing new acquisition opportunities across Europe.
Katrine Damgaard
Founder of Mender Society
Katrine Damgaard, the Founder of Mender Society, has established an innovative venture that simplifies the process of repairing and embellishing clothing with exquisite embroideries. The core concept of Mender Society revolves around offering a diverse range of embroidery kits.
Prior to her entrepreneurial pursuit with the Mender Society, Katrine Damgaard contributed to the field of journalism. As a freelance Journalist for ELLE Decoration, she conducted interviews and authored articles for the esteemed publication. During her tenure, she was also a valuable daily team member, overseeing the entire process from editorial content planning to the final publication.
Ennie Raguse
Venture Capitalist at ByFounders
Ennie Raguse is a Venture Capitalist at ByFounders, a seasoned team of investors and operators known for their profound understanding of the everyday challenges and opportunities that founders encounter. ByFounders specializes in investing in early-stage companies with business models driven by software.
With Ennie Raguse's expertise and dedication as a VC at ByFounders, the firm continues to empower and nurture promising startups, forging valuable partnerships that drive sustainable growth and foster innovation in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Sara Rywe
Partner at ByFounders
Sara Rywe, a Partner at byFounders, brings a wealth of global experience and a passion for supporting young entrepreneurs to her role. From a young age, Sara demonstrated her entrepreneurial spirit by starting a dancing school to help kids with low self-esteem. This experience ignited her dedication to encouraging others to explore the entrepreneurial route.
Her journey continued with various initiatives in the startup ecosystem, including supporting young entrepreneurs as the national coordinator for the European entrepreneurial network JA-YE Alumni and spearheading South America's first regional company competition for young entrepreneurs. She also founded UF Alumni, a significant network for young entrepreneurs in Sweden.
At byFounders, Sara oversees investments in Scandinavia, with a particular focus on Sweden and Norway. Prior to joining byFounders, Sara gained valuable experience with digital startups and explored management consulting at McKinsey & Company and Danske Bank.
Pernille Brun
Investor and member of the byFounders
Pernille Brun is an accomplished global entrepreneur, facilitator, business consultant, coach, speaker, and author.
In 2005, she co-founded the Danish consultancy company "resonans," where she had the opportunity to explore Appreciative Inquiry (AI) in Cleveland. This change in methodology profoundly influenced her career as a facilitator, coach, and consultant.
In 2010, Pernille ventured out and established her own company, "momentu," where she continued her work as a facilitator, consultant, and coach. Additionally, she became involved in investing in companies she believed in.
Between 2008 and 2015, Pernille also devoted her time to assisting Copenhagen Business School in building a new Executive MBA program in Nairobi, Kenya.
Ulla Brockenhuus-Schack
Founder & Managing Partner of Seed Capital, Denmark
Ulla Brockenhuus-Schack is a prominent Danish business leader who has served as the Founder & Managing Partner of SEED Capital Denmark since 2005. With a wealth of experience and expertise, she plays a pivotal role in guiding and driving the success of SEED Capital.
In addition to her leadership at SEED Capital, Ulla holds various significant board positions across diverse organizations. She is a board member of Mary Fonden, Oticon Fonden, William Demant Invest A/S, Amminex, Expanite, OrderYoyo, and Tivoli A/S. Her involvement in these boards reflects her commitment to contributing to the growth and development of various industries.
Bibi Blomqvist
Co-founder at Cogo
Bibi Blomqvist is a Co-founder at Cogo, a revolutionary app that combines all shared rides powered by humans or electricity into one platform.
Before her involvement with Cogo, Bibi Blomqvist held key leadership positions in the travel industry. She served as the Global Head of Sales and Country Manager at Momondo, a popular travel metasearch site specializing in finding and comparing the best deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and package holidays.
Stine Lomholt
Business development manager at The Social Capital Fund
Stine Lomholt is an impact advisor and business development manager at The Social Capital Fund, an investment fund and accelerator focused on supporting social enterprises that improve opportunities for marginalized groups in society, primarily in Denmark and expanding to Norway and Sweden.
Before her role at The Social Capital Fund, Stine Lomholt served as a senior consultant at Scandinavia's retail institute. In this capacity, she engaged in various strategic projects assisting retailers and brands in improving their businesses.
Heidi Lee
Investor at Dreamcraft
Heidi Lee is an Investor at Dreamcraft, a hands-on venture engineering firm specializing in investing in technology-driven companies at various stages, from pre-seed to series A, focusing on the Nordics and Europe. Heidi has previously served as a Founder and CEO of Finuprise, a fintech impact investing platform.
Before venturing into the world of entrepreneurship, Heidi gained valuable experience as an investment banker at renowned firms like Morgan Stanley and Perella Weinberg Partners, working in both New York and San Francisco.
Signe Marie Sveinbjørnsson
Partner & COO at Heartcore Capital
Signe Marie Sveinbjørnsson holds the position of Partner & COO at Heartcore Capital, a prominent venture capital firm dedicated to investing in technology-driven companies that positively impact people's lives. With a strong background in legal and operational roles, Signe brings a wealth of experience to the table.
Before joining Heartcore, Signe spent nearly six years as legal counsel to Maersk Oil, where she provided invaluable support in areas such as operations, international contracts, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Her legal expertise and understanding of complex business transactions have proven to be instrumental in her career.
Sarah Heiberg Landsted
Partner at Maersk Growth
Sarah Heiberg Landsted is a Partner at Maersk Growth, the Corporate Venture arm of A.P. Moller – Maersk. At Maersk Growth, she plays a crucial role in accelerating the future of trade by providing capital and strategic support to ventures that leverage new business models and technologies to revolutionize global supply chains.
Prior to her current position, Sarah served as an Associate Principal & Director at Maersk Management Consulting (MMC). MMC is the management consultancy arm of the Maersk Group, with offices in Copenhagen and Singapore.
Shari Rana
Investment Director at Nordic Alpha Partners
Shari Rana is an Investment Director at Nordic Alpha Partners, a growth fund specializing in hard-tech companies with the potential to drive transformative changes in global markets. In her role, Shari plays a crucial role in identifying and investing in innovative tech companies that have the capacity to make a significant impact on the world stage.
Before joining Nordic Alpha Partners, Shari held key leadership positions at New Works, a design house based in Copenhagen. As the COO & CSO and the Chief Sales Officer, she played a vital role in the company's operations and sales strategies.
Nima Sophia Tisdall
CEO and Operating Partner at Nordic Makers
Forbes 30 under 30
Nima Sophia Tisdall is the CEO and Operating Partner at Nordic Makers, a venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage startups in the Nordics.
Apart from her role at Nordic Makers, Nima Sophia Tisdall is actively involved in various other organizations. She serves as a Board Member at GUDP, an initiative under the Ministry of Food in Denmark. Additionally, she is a Co-founder of SAGA DK and a Board Member at With Purpose – Accelerating Women. Nima also founded Blue Lobster and holds a position on the Alumni board.
Christel Piron
CEO of PreSeed Ventures
Christel Piron is the CEO of PreSeed Ventures, a prominent and successful early-stage investor in Denmark. Throughout her career, Christel has been deeply involved in innovation, strategic business development, investments, and collaboration with entrepreneurs.
She held the position of CEO at Pharmavie, an innovation and venture capital company, for an impressive 12 years. Following her tenure at Pharmavie, Christel became the Director of PwC's Department for Strategic Development. In this role, she developed and integrated new strategies and business development tools for more than 30 companies from diverse industries.
Marianne Hyltoft
Fund Director at PreSeed Ventures
Marianne Hyltoft currently holds the DeepTech Impact Fund Director position at PreSeed Ventures. PreSeed Ventures is a highly active early-stage investor with a remarkable track record spanning over two decades.
Prior to her role at PreSeed Ventures, Marianne gained valuable experience working as a consultant with both Bain & Company and PA Consulting, where she honed her expertise in strategic advisory services. She was actively involved in setting up an early-stage social impact fund, reflecting her commitment to supporting ventures with a positive impact on society.
Helle Uth
General Partner & Co-founder at PreSeed Ventures
Helle Uth is yet another impressive presence from PreSeed Ventures. She is the General Partner and Co-founder of PreSeed Ventures Tech Fund. With a strong focus on technology-driven startups, Helle plays a critical role in identifying and nurturing promising early-stage ventures.
In addition to her role at PreSeed Ventures, Helle serves as a board member for several companies, further showcasing her commitment to supporting and advising startups. As a board member of Openli, Woba, and Custimy.io, she provides strategic guidance and expertise to help these companies thrive and scale.
Cecilie Willer
Founder of TODAY
Cecilie Willer is a highly accomplished founder with a strong background in the tech industry and a deep understanding of business psychology. As the founder of Today.io, she has leveraged her expertise to create a platform that empowers CEOs and teams to thrive in the fast-paced and dynamic tech space.
With over 17 years of experience in the industry, Cecilie has honed her skills in nurturing and growing CEOs and teams. Her founder/team psychology specialization has made her a sought-after advisor and coach for more than 300 founders and teams.
Ghita Wolf Andreasen
Managing Director and Board Member at Engineer The Future
Ghita Wolf Andreasen is an accomplished professional with a diverse background spanning the private, public, and non-profit sectors. With a triple-accredited MBA degree obtained in 2006 and completion of the CBS executive SME board program in 2014, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her roles.
Currently, she is serving as the Managing Director and Board Member of Engineer The Future, a tech alliance focused on bridging the skills gap in science and technology.
Before her role at Engineer The Future, Ghita held various positions showcasing her versatility and extensive experience. This includes working with R&D funding at both national and EU levels, as well as private Danish foundations.
Merete Lundbye Møller
Venture Partner & General Counsel at Sunstone Life Science Ventures
Board Member at Algiecel, PreSeed Ventures, Curo Capital, Warehouse9
Merete Lundbye Møller is a highly accomplished professional, currently serving as a Venture Partner and General Counsel at Sunstone Life Science Ventures. Moreover, Merete is a Board Member in several companies such as Algiecel, PreSeed Ventures, Curo CapitalWarehouse9. With her extensive experience and expertise, she plays a crucial role in supporting and guiding the venture capital firm in its investments and legal matters.
In addition to her role at Sunstone, Merete serves as a board member for several prominent organizations, showcasing her commitment to contributing to various industries. She holds positions on the boards of Algiecel, PreSeed Ventures, Curo Capital, warehouse9, Hotel Pro Forma, and Greenland Holding A/S.
Kirsten Winther
Investment Manager at Syddansk Innovation A/S
Kirsten Winther is a highly skilled Investment Manager at Syddansk Innovation A/S, where she plays a vital role in identifying and nurturing growth opportunities for businesses. With a diverse skill set, Kirsten excels in developing comprehensive business plans and executing them successfully.
Her expertise spans various aspects of business development, including equity investments and mergers and acquisitions (M&A), strategic planning with a strong market focus, product innovation, project management, international expansion, optimization, streamlining, and cash flow management.
Anne Almind Vind
Head Of Partnerships at Danmarks Eksport- og Investeringsfond
Anne Almind Vind is the Head of Partnerships at Danmarks Eksport- og Investeringsfond (Denmark's Export and Investment Fund). This newly established state-owned fund serves as a unified point of contact for all Danish companies seeking state-financed risk capital.
At Danmarks Eksport- og Investeringsfond, Anne plays a crucial role in fostering partnerships and collaborations with various stakeholders to support the growth and development of Danish businesses. The fund focuses on providing capital and support to entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized companies, and export companies aiming to expand into new or emerging markets.
Samina Usman
CEO & Founder & Journalist at Femilog
Samina Usman is the CEO and Founder of Femilog, an award-winning Menopause Health Tracker that has been recognized as the "Best Global Menopause Health Tracker" and "Best Menopause App."
Before starting on her entrepreneurial journey with Femilog, Samina had a remarkable career as a journalist and editor. She contributed to the political magazine Boligen, where she played a key role in setting the agenda and covering critical issues. Additionally, she served as an editor at Beboerbladet, a highly circulated journalistic magazine in Denmark with a readership of 568,000.
Sara Kobli
Founder of Enjaii & Founder, Director of African village
Sara Kobli is a highly passionate individual driven by a strong desire to create a positive impact through project development, planning, management, and coordination.
As the Founder and CEO of Enjaii, Sara has established a venture that aims to make a difference in the world. In addition to her role at Enjaii, Sara is also the Direct Founder of African Village, an initiative that focuses on projects or activities aimed at benefiting African communities. With her dedication and sense of responsibility, she takes on the challenge of driving these endeavors forward, creating positive outcomes for the communities involved.
Sally Gregersen
Co-founder at Lulu Lab
Sally Gregersen is an accomplished Innovation Manager with a strong background in co-designing and developing groundbreaking solutions in collaboration with global partners and users. One of her notable achievements is winning the Global Innovation Challenge #IdeasChangeLives 2020 hosted by the British Council, showcasing her ability to create transformative and impactful ideas.
As a co-founder of Lulu Lab, Sally is involved in a venture that is likely focused on innovation and creating meaningful products or services. Beyond Lulu lab, Sally serves as a Startup Mentor at Green Crowdfunding Accelerator. Furthermore, Sally holds the position of Innovation Project Manager at Kræftens Bekæmpelse (Danish Cancer Society).
Agnieszka Jacobs
CEO at SQUARELY
Agnieszka Jacobs is a driven and visionary CEO at SQUARELY, a design brand focused on creating beautiful and functional products that promote healthier indoor and outdoor spaces with plants. With a background in architecture and ten years of experience in designing buildings and assessing their environmental impacts, Agnieszka is well-versed in sustainable innovation and indoor climate.
As a DGNB Auditor, she possesses the expertise to calculate the environmental footprint of complex projects, enabling her to bring together sustainable goals with practical business considerations. Agnieszka's passion lies in developing new sustainable ventures and projects within the architecture and design industry.
Pernille Sandberg Bech
Founder Goodtalks & Professional Imposter Buster
Pernille Sandberg Bech is the founder of Goodtalks, a unique network that fosters personal and professional development. Through Goodtalks, members are part of a supportive community that empowers each other, encouraging individuals to embrace their authentic selves.
Additionally, as the "Professional Imposter Buster," Pernille is committed to helping individuals overcome imposter syndrome, a common feeling of self-doubt and inadequacy. Pernille aims to inspire confidence and promote a culture of inclusivity in workplaces by providing a supportive environment and empowering individuals to be their authentic selves.
Sissel Hansen
Founder & CEO of Startup Guide
Sissel Hansen is an ambitious and outgoing entrepreneur known for her passion to democratize entrepreneurship and inspire the next generation of innovators. As the Founder and CEO of Startup Guide, she has built a platform that empowers and supports aspiring entrepreneurs in startup ecosystems worldwide.
Under Sissel's leadership, Startup Guide has published guidebooks in over 20 cities across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East, offering valuable insights and resources to startup founders and enthusiasts in various regions. To further expand the company's reach, startupguide.com was launched, providing new types of content to a broader audience of aspiring entrepreneurs.
Jacqueline Ameri
CEO & Founder at Pancryos
Jacqueline Ameri is an entrepreneur and researcher in the field of stem cell biology and cell therapy. As the CEO and Founder of PanCryos, she leads the development of groundbreaking allogeneic cell therapy for Type 1 Diabetes, building upon her expertise and experience from her time at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem). Before founding PanCryos, Jacqueline held significant roles at the University of Copenhagen and Lund University.
Charlotte Rønje
Founder and CEO at Jamii.one
Charlotte Rønje is an innovative entrepreneur and business leader with a focus on financial technology and social impact. As the Founder and CEO of Jamii.one, she has created a cutting-edge financial technology company that aims to promote financial inclusion and empower traditional saving communities.
Before venturing into entrepreneurship, Charlotte gained valuable experience at PwC Danmark, where she held various senior consulting roles. As a Senior Consultant in Change & Performance Management, she helped organizations navigate through periods of transformation and growth. Additionally, in her role as a Senior Consultant in Sustainability & Business Ethics, she assisted companies in integrating sustainable practices into their operations and strategies.
Stine Kalmer Jørgensen
Founder & CEO at Dreamplan.io
Stine Kalmer Jørgensen is an experienced entrepreneur and business leader with a strong focus on digital innovation and financial technology (FinTech). As the Founder and CEO of Dreamplan.io, a Copenhagen-based fintech company, she is on a mission to democratize financial advice and planning by leveraging artificial intelligence and human-centered interfaces.
With a background in product ownership, agile project management, and IT project management, Stine possesses the expertise to drive successful and efficient digital transformation initiatives. Her specialization in digital strategy and leadership allows her to lead her team in developing innovative solutions that cater to user needs and provide optimal customer experiences.
Carolin Schiemer
CMO & Co-founder of Eat Grim
Carolin Schiemer is a co-founder of Eat Grim, a sustainability-focused platform that aims to reduce food waste and promote sustainable agriculture. With a background in Organisational Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which she completed with a Master's degree from Copenhagen Business School, Carolin embarked on her entrepreneurial journey to positively impact the food industry. In addition to her work in entrepreneurship and sustainability, Carolin is also a certified Yoga teacher, holding a 200-hour RYT certification
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