StartUp Fund: Talkshow Live series
Whether you’re developing a product, seeking investment, or testing the market, this series gives you the tools and inspiration to move forward
Are you a strong investment case – and for whom: Business Angels or Venture Capital?
Insights from investors and founders Final Frontier
Experienced VC perspective With Niels Vejrup Carlsen, Founding Partner at Final Frontier, we will explore: What do venture capital investors look for in robotics and deep-tech companies? Key trends in the VC market today: Which verticals currently attract the most capital (robotics, AI, green tech)? Are funding rounds getting larger or smaller?
Are we seeing more syndication between VCs and collaborations with business angels?
Recommendations for founders: When are you ready to start conversations with venture capital? What are the most common reasons VCs say no?
Practical advice on preparation, positioning, and investor mindset.
We will also hear from Joachim Espeland, Founder and President of Quadsat, who will share first-hand insights from raising capital at different stages of a company’s journey.
The Power of the Founder Team
In the talkshow The Power of the Founder Team, we dive into one of the most critical success factors in robotics and deeptech startups: the founding team.
A strong idea is not enough. Time and again, it is the people behind the idea that determine whether a startup succeeds, scales – or fails early. In this session, we explore why early team formation matters, how to choose the right co-founder, and what investors look for when assessing a founding team.
You will meet Ann-Mia Ambjerg, Founder & CEO of ARIS Robotics, who shares how a balanced founding team – two technical founders and one commercial founder – created a solid foundation for funding, market entry, and product development. She offers real-world insights into team dynamics, role clarity, and building trust from day one.
You will also hear from Enrico Krog Iversen, CEO of OnRobot and experienced robotics investor. From an investor’s perspective, he outlines what defines a strong deeptech founding team, the ideal mix of competencies, and the most common pitfalls he sees in early-stage startups – from teams that are too technical to the absence of a clear CEO or commercial lead.
From Innovation to Investment
In this talkshow, From Innovation to Investment, you will meet two leading voices from the robotics startup scene.
Investor Thomas Visti, founder of Visti Unlimited and former CEO of Mobile Industrial Robots, shares his perspective on what makes a startup truly attractive to investors. He outlines the key factors that turn a good idea into an investable business and highlights what he looks for when backing new companies.
Entrepreneur Kenneth Skorpen, co-founder of Blinktroll, tells the story of how his team transformed an idea into a working prototype. He offers an honest look at the challenges and lessons learned along the way, giving you a founder’s perspective on the road from innovation to market.
Together, they provide unique insights into bridging the gap between technology and business – from early innovation to securing funding. Whether you are an entrepreneur, an investor, or simply curious about the startup journey, this talkshow will leave you with practical takeaways and inspiration for your own path.
Does Your Product Match the Market?
In this talkshow, Does Your Product Match the Market?, you will meet key voices with deep experience in market validation and startup growth.
Michael Wilkens, Executive Advisor at Strategyzer, shares his expertise on how startups can explore and validate markets effectively. He outlines proven methods for testing assumptions, explains why systematic validation is crucial, and highlights common mistakes founders should avoid when searching for product-market fit.
Alf Olsen, founder and CEO of O-Robotics, tells the story of how his team developed their autonomous AMR Sweeper. He offers a live demo of the solution and explains how structured market exploration has guided their journey, ensuring the product is aligned with real customer needs.
The talkshow is hosted by Troels Oliver Vilms Pedersen, Business Development Manager at Odense Robotics, who ties the perspectives together and leads the discussion.
Together, they provide valuable insights into how to align technology with customer demand. Whether you are developing a product, preparing for launch, or scaling your business, this talkshow will give you practical tools and inspiration to evaluate your product’s market potential.
