ID8 Global Gaming Business Accelerator: Non-Dilutive Startup Funding in Denmark

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Non-Dilutive Startup Funding in Denmark

I recently gave a presentation to a young entrepreneurs club here in Copenhagen about startup funding in Denmark. I shared some cultural perspectives, as well as various funding options - including my favourite early-stage VC in Scandinavia.


It became clear during Qamp;A that many founders, start-ups and scale-ups here are conscious of the VC landscape (something addressed thoroughly by other sources) and some higher-profile government funding options, but have little awareness of the 'soft funding' options available.


What people (generally) knew about were: Innovation Fund Denmark's Innobooster (for development) and Innofounder (salary support for full-time founders), as well as EIFO Match Loans. From a European perspective, they knew about the EIC Accelerator (high competition, high reward), Horizon Europe and Eurostars. Otherwise, nothing.


Thus, this list to share with the Danish founder community + use as a reference point when people reach out asking for funding guidance.


I hope this resource helps. Please let me know of any important missing resources, or as/if/when existing links/content changes over time. I don't maintain this website as a full-time gig.


Cheers,


/jh on 17 March 2026



The 'Soft Funding' Landscape in Denmark


Soft funding, or non-dilutive capital, refers to financial support that does not require founders to give up equity, ownership, or voting rights in their company. In the Danish context, this typically takes the form of government grants, foundation scholarships, or innovation vouchers. Because these funds do not have to be repaid and do not dilute the founders' shares, they represent the most "founder-friendly" capital available.


The abundance of these opportunities in Denmark is a result of a unique collaboration between the public sector, private industry foundations, and academic institutions. The Danish government views innovation as a national priority, leading to significant support through programs like Innovationsfonden. This landscape is vital because it bridges the "equity gap," allowing startups to survive the precarious period when they are too early for venture capital but too risky for traditional loans.


At ID8, we share this resource because we believe talent - not just capital - should dictate success. By helping startups navigate the complex landscape of grants and subsidies, we empower founders to build stronger, more independent companies that can focus on solving real-world problems.



Early-Stage & Founder Support


These programs are designed for early-stage entrepreneurs, students, and new graduates who need initial capital or mentorship to turn an idea into a viable business.


  • NextStep: DKK 34,000 for professional counseling.
    This grant is designed for early-stage entrepreneurs who need professional advice to clarify their business model or growth potential. It is looking for startups that have not yet reached significant scale but have a clear ambition to grow.
    https://erhvervshus-storkobenhavn.dk/ydelser/tilskudspuljer/nextstep

  • The Heyfunding Grant: DKK 25,000 for innovative startups.
    A small, non-equity grant intended to give a boost to innovative startups across any industry. They look for early-stage companies with a "good story" and a clear vision for how the money will help them reach the next milestone.
    https://www.heyfunding.dk/heyfunding-legatet
    Heyfunding CEO Niels Holst recently made a blog post about the grant.

  • Dinero Startup Grant: DKK 10,000 awarded to 5 startups.
    This grant is aimed at very early-stage founders or "side-hustlers" who need a small injection of capital to cover initial costs like equipment or marketing. It is open to all industries and focuses on the passion and drive of the founder.
    https://dinero.dk/ivaerksaetterlegatet/

  • The Sparring Partners' Entrepreneur Package: DKK 40,000 for full-time founders.
    This package includes a cash grant and professional mentorship for dedicated entrepreneurs. They look for full-time founders who have already established a CVR number and are ready to scale their operations.
    https://sparringspartnerne.dk/ivaerksaetterpakken/

  • Microgrant: DKK 25,000-50,000 for students.
    Administered by the Danish Foundation for Entrepreneurship, this grant is for students at Danish educational institutions. They seek to help student-run startups move from the "idea" phase to the "validation" phase.
    https://mikrolegat.dk/

  • Innofounder: DKK 27,500/month for graduate entrepreneurs.
    This is a 12-month program for recent graduates to work full-time on their startup. They look for innovative, research-based, or high-potential ideas where the founder's academic background plays a central role.
    https://innovationsfonden.dk/da/programmer/innofounder

Sustainability, Climate & Energy


Focusing on the green transition, these grants target startups working on environmental technology, CO2 reduction, and sustainable industrial practices.


  • Climate Entrepreneur of the Year: DKK 250,000 for a sustainable startup.
    This award recognizes startups that contribute significantly to the green transition through innovative products or services. It targets Danish startups with a proven climate impact and a scalable business model.
    https://jyskebank.dk/erhverv/klimaivaerksaetter

  • Norlys Growth Pool: For innovative, sustainable projects.
    This pool supports projects that promote the green transition, digitalization, or regional development. They look for startups and projects that create value for society, specifically within the energy and telecommunications sectors.
    https://norlys.dk/vaekstpulje/

  • Environmental and Energy Fund: DKK 50,000 for green ideas.
    This fund supports grassroots and early-stage projects focused on environmental protection and renewable energy. They favor startups with localized solutions or innovative approaches to sustainability and conservation.
    https://energifonden.dk/

  • GUDP (Green Development & Demonstration Program): DKK 0.25-15 million.
    This program supports projects that improve the sustainability and competitiveness of the Danish food and agriculture industry. They target startups working on green solutions within food production, processing, or bio-resources.
    https://gudp.dk/

  • MUDP (Eco-Innovation Program): DKK 0.5-6 million.
    This scheme funds the development and testing of environmental technologies. They look for startups working on clean air, water, soil, or circular economy solutions that can be demonstrated in a real-world setting.
    https://mudp.dk/

  • Innovation to Market: Up to DKK 1 million for green construction solutions.
    Realdania's program to help sustainable building solutions reach a wider market. They target startups that have a finished prototype and need help with testing, documentation, or the final steps to commercialization.
    https://realdania.dk/projekter/innovation-til-marked

Industry, Tech & Intellectual Property


These resources are for startups with high-tech or industrial hardware components, including assistance with patents and manufacturing scale-up.


  • Otto Bruun Foundation: DKK 50,000 for industrial inventions.
    This foundation supports the development of technical and industrial inventions that can be patented or have commercial potential. They prioritize startups working on physical products or mechanical engineering solutions.
    https://ottobruunsfond.dk/

  • Alexander Foss' Industrial Fund: DKK 100,000 for new technologies.
    The fund supports the transition from research to commercial industrial products. They are looking for startups developing innovative physical technologies or manufacturing processes with high commercial viability.
    https://alexanderfossindustrifond.dk/

  • IDA Startup Grant: DKK 25,000 for STEM startups.
    Exclusive to members of IDA (The Danish Society of Engineers), this grant supports tech-heavy startups. They look for entrepreneurs with strong technical backgrounds who are working on science or engineering-led innovations.
    https://ida.dk/selvstaendig-og-freelancer/ida-startup/ida-startup-legat

  • Patent Voucher: Up to DKK 75,000 for patent costs.
    This voucher covers up to 75% of the costs associated with filing a patent or performing a patent search. It targets SMEs and startups that have developed a unique technology and need to protect their intellectual property.
    https://erhvervshus-storkobenhavn.dk/ydelser/tilskudspuljer/patent-voucher

  • IP Fast Track: DKK 10,000 for IP strategy.
    This is a subsidy for startups to hire professional advisors to create an Intellectual Property (IP) strategy. It is looking for startups that are at a stage where protecting trademarks, designs, or patents is becoming critical for growth.
    https://erhvervshus-storkobenhavn.dk/ydelser/tilskudspuljer/ip-fast-track

  • Future Manufacturer: DKK 75,000 for manufacturing development.
    This program assists startups in optimizing their production or implementing new manufacturing technologies. They look for companies with a physical product that need help scaling their production capacity in Denmark.
    https://erhvervshus-midtjylland.dk/projekter/fremtidens-produktionsvirksomhed

Specialized Industry Sectors


Grants and accelerators focused on specific niche markets, including Fintech, Healthcare, Defense, and Gaming.


  • NIMBI: ~DKK 100,000 for game development.
    A grant specifically for early-stage Danish game developers to help with prototyping or production. They look for creative projects with high artistic or commercial potential within the digital gaming industry.
    https://www.visiondenmark.dk/nimbi/

  • BETA.HEALTH: DKK 0.5-1 million for healthcare innovation.
    An innovation platform for Danish hospitals that helps bring clinical research to market. They target health-tech startups or researchers whose solutions can directly improve patient outcomes or hospital efficiency.
    https://betahealth.dk/

  • CenSec Challenges: Up to DKK 1 million for defense/security solutions.
    These challenges focus on solving specific problems for the defense, space, and security sectors. They look for SMEs and startups with dual-use technologies (both civilian and military) that can address predefined technical hurdles.
    https://censec.dk/challenges/

  • Building Innovation - Together: Up to DKK 1 million for construction innovation.
    A program that facilitates collaboration between startups and established companies in the building industry. They look for digital or sustainable solutions that can make construction more efficient or less environmentally damaging.
    https://webuilddenmark.dk/projekter/byg-innovation-sammen/

  • Copenhagen Fintech: Up to DKK 200,000 (pre-seed/grants).
    Copenhagen Fintech offers various grants and acceleration programs specifically for financial technology startups. They look for disruptive ideas in payments, insurance, regulatory tech, or sustainable finance.
    https://copenhagenfintech.dk/startup/startup-grants/

  • ESA BIC Denmark: Up to DKK 450,000 for space-related startups.
    The European Space Agency’s Business Incubation Centre supports startups using space technology in non-space sectors. They look for "spin-off" or "spin-in" ideas, such as using satellite data for agriculture or logistics.
    https://esabic.dk/

Advanced Growth & European Funding


For mature startups or high-risk R&D projects looking for multi-million DKK investments or entry into the European market.


  • The Bright Idea (Otto Monsted Foundation): DKK 250,000 for ideas benefiting Danish society.
    Two awards are given annually—one for an early "bright idea" and one for a more mature concept. They seek startups with a strong commercial potential that also contribute to the Danish business community or society at large.
    https://omfonden.dk/den-lyse-ide/

  • Fynske Bank Startup Lab: DKK 100,000 to the winner.
    A pitch competition and accelerator program for startups based on Funen or in the Triangle area. They look for regional talent with scalable business ideas across any industry, providing both capital and business development.
    https://fynskebank.dk/om-fynske-bank/nyheder-og-presse/startup-lab-konkurrencen

  • Innobooster: Up to DKK 5 million for innovation projects.
    This grant funds the development of new products or processes that require significant technical or commercial risk. They look for SMEs and startups with a solid CVR history that have a "knowledge-heavy" innovation at their core.
    https://innovationsfonden.dk/da/programmer/innobooster

  • Grand Solutions: DKK 5-40 million for research and development.
    This is for large-scale, high-risk research projects with significant societal or economic impact. They look for consortia (often startups partnering with universities) working on breakthrough science in green energy, health, or technology.
    https://innovationsfonden.dk/da/programmer/grand-solutions

  • EUopSTART: DKK 75,000-150,000 for EU application preparation.
    This grant covers the costs of preparing a high-quality application for European funding programs like Horizon Europe. It targets ambitious startups that are planning to lead or participate in international research consortia.
    https://ufm.dk/forskning-og-innovation/tilskud-til-forskning-og-innovation/find-danske-tilskudsprogrammer/euopstart

  • EIC Accelerator: Up to DKK 18.6 million (EUR €2.5M) in grants.
    The flagship EU program for "deep-tech" startups with world-changing potential. They look for high-risk, high-impact innovations that have already reached a working prototype (TRL 5-6) and need capital to scale globally.
    https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-accelerator_en

Additional Growth & Internationalization Resources


These programs bridge the gap between initial startup phases and global scaling, focusing on digitalization and international market entry.


  • SMV:Digital: DKK 10,000 to 100,000.
    This program provides vouchers to hire private consultants for digital transformation, such as implementing AI, automation, or e-commerce strategies. It is ideal for startups that need to upgrade their tech stack or digital security to scale.
    https://smvdigital.dk/

  • SMV:Export: DKK 15,000 to 150,000.
    This grant helps startups prepare for entry into international markets by funding market research, export strategy, or presence at international trade fairs. It targets companies that have a proven product in Denmark and are ready to test foreign markets.
    https://smveksport.dk/

  • The Green Entrepreneurial Pool: Up to DKK 1.5 million.
    This pool is specifically for startups working within the circular economy and waste reduction. It looks for projects that can demonstrate a significant reduction in resource consumption or a transition to sustainable business models.
    https://erhvervsstyrelsen.dk/pulje-til-groenne-ivaerksaettere

Extended EU Funding Opportunities


Beyond the EIC, the European Union offers targeted support for R&D-heavy startups and those working in cross-border collaborations.