Workshops
Fill your toolbox with knowledge and practical tools to develop your startup or idea
Open to all
You are welcome to join us whether you are part of Kitchen or not – no connection to Aarhus University is required.
Build your brand story
Build your brand story
About the workshop
Communication happens on the recipient’s terms—so how do you make sure to communicate clearly?
This workshop is for entrepreneurs ready to shape the way their idea is understood, remembered, and shared. Together, we will explore the power of branding and storytelling in early-stage startups. You’ll learn how to communicate not just what you do—but why it matters.
We will work with tools to help you define the deeper purpose behind your business and begin building a story that resonates.
You will get:
- A better understanding of how branding influences perception.
- Practical tools to shape your story and message.
- New ways to communicate your idea with clarity and emotional pull.
Entrepreneurial sales: B2B & B2C
Entrepreneurial sales: B2B & B2C
About the workshop
This workshop gives you a clear, practical understanding of sales as a craft — built on curiosity, relationships, and structure, not on being a “sales type.”
We take you through the entire sales cycle: finding the right customers, reaching out, building trust, creating value, avoiding common mistakes, and closing the sale with confidence. With strategy as the backbone, you’ll learn simple, effective techniques you can use immediately in your daily work.
Sales skills are essential for any startup — and anyone can learn them. The workshop combines hands-on tools, real examples, and plenty of room for discussion.
You will get:
- A framework: from first contact to closing.
- Simple, actionable tools for your startup.
- A tool to structure and track prospect dialogues.
Workshop Format
Your learning will be hands-on, featuring:
- Practical case studies.
- Group discussions and real-world scenario analyses.
Finding the right funding
Finding the right funding
About the workshop
As an entrepreneur, you will most likely not have revenue from day one, yet without money, your idea will not go far. So how do you cover the costs that occur while you develop your startup?
In this workshop, we want to make sure you plan for the right funding at the right time and at the right cost. You will get a clear overview of different funding options and what each funding provider expects. You will also receive tips and tricks for lowering your funding needs in the first place.
By the end of the workshop, you will understand the funding landscape, be ready to start creating a plan for your own funding journey, and know exactly where to go next.
You will get:
- An overview of the various funding sources.
- An understanding of the pros and cons. for each funding source.
- Inspiration for your own “funding journey” for your startup.
Also check out:
Can't wait for the workshop? Check out our events to get some inspiration to your funding journal already now. You might be interested in the following workshops:
- Mastering your startup’s financial future
- Investor Readiness
- Capital Connect - meet investors
- Soft Funding Connect
Investor readiness
Investor readiness
About the workshop
Are you curious about building a venture case? Are you already seeking private investors? Join Investor Readiness and prepare yourself to navigate the funding process with confidence.
Securing private funding for the first time often raises important questions; What type of investor should we contact, how and when? How much equity should we offer and at what valuation? What ticks the boxes for private investors
At this workshop we equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to raise private capital successfully.
You will get:
- An intro to investor types, funding rounds and types of investments.
- A Cap-table Excel spreadsheet to plan future ownership distribution.
- Expert tips to make you irresistibly appealing to investors.
Also check out:
- Mastering your startup’s financial future
- Pitch Week - get your pitch and pitch deck ready
- Capital Connect - meet investors
Mastering your startup’s financial future
Mastering your startup’s financial future
About the workshop
Financially sound operations are key to any startup that wants to be in the market for the long run. However, accurately predicting a startup's future financial standing presents a challenging task.
Ever wondered:
- Will your startup achieve profitability?
- When do you potentially run out of cash?
- Do you need investment or alternative sources of cash? And if so, how much, and when?
In this workshop, you'll acquire the essential skills to craft your own cash flow statement and forecast your financial trajectory.
Who should attend?
This workshop is tailored for startups that anticipate incurring development costs before reaching profitability. No prior financial expertise is necessary – all you need are basic Excel skills and a positive attitude.
You will get:
- A Financial Forecast Excel spreadsheet to start plotting your numbers and foresee your startup's financial future.
- A Cash Flow Excel spreadsheet that keeps you informed about potential cash shortages.
Also check out:
If you're exploring sources of funding, be sure to check out our "Finding the right funding" workshop.
Members only
You need to be a part of Kitchen to join. As a student or researcher at Aarhus University, you can become part of our entrepreneurial community and gain access.
Mature your idea
Mature your idea
About the workshop
How do you ensure your idea is relevant to someone, somewhere, at some time?
What are the first steps you can take in transforming your idea into a valuable offering?
‘Mature Your Idea’ is a 2-hour workshop designed for early-stage entrepreneurs who are just starting out.
Together, we’ll slow down to speed up—taking time to dive deeper into your idea, explore the problem space it belongs to, and uncover what and why it matters. You’ll walk away with clearer direction, new insights, and critical assumptions to consider as you continue developing your idea.
Whether your idea is just a spark or already taking shape, this session will help you build and strengthen the foundation and reduce the risk of failure due to hidden assumptions and beliefs about potential stakeholders, customers, and users.
You will get:
- Reflective insights and understanding of the problems worth solving.
- Take the first step towards reducing the risk of failure due to overlooked assumptions, and help you clarify and prioritize the key stakeholders worth talking to.
- Untangling the complexity of problems, symptoms, and root causes to strengthen the fit between problems and solutions in your development efforts.
Sign up for your preferred date here:
Startup Essentials
Startup Essentials
About the workshop
Join our 3-part workshop series designed to help you refine your business idea and build a good foundation for your startup.
The aim of the series is to help you gain a deeper understanding of how to validate your idea, what problem you are solving and for whom, what value your solution provides, and how to understand the market you are entering.
Throughout the workshops, you will get essential tools, perspectives, and practical exercises to help you take the next steps in developing your business.
We look forward to helping you get started.
You will:
- Gain clarity on the real problem your customers are facing.
- Get tools to shape and refine your solution in the real world.
- Work actively on developing your business during the workshops.
- Meet a team of peers to learn from and spar with.
- Become familiar with entrepreneurial ways of working.
Workshop 1/3 - Problem
- Why start with the problem?
- Why is validation key?
Workshop 2/3 - Solution
- How do you ensure problem-solution fit?
- How do you find and talk to customers?
Workshop 3/3 - Position
- What competition is out there?
- What differentiates you?
Registration:
August/september
Workshop 1: 26 August, 9-12
Workshop 2: 2 September, 12.30-15.30
Workshop 3: 16 September, 9-12
October
Workshop 1: 6 October, 12.30-15.30
Workshop 2: 21 October, 9-12
Workshop 3: 28 October, 9-12
November
Workshop 1: 10 November, 12.30-15.30
Workshop 2: 17 November, 9-12
Workshop 3: 24 November, 9-12
Pitch Week
Pitch Week
About the workshop
Pitchweek is a high-paced work zone to sharpen your pitch – and your business.
A great pitch deck is essential when applying for softfunding, talking to investors, grant providers, or anyone curious about your project or business.
Throughout the week, you’ll build a strong, 10-minute pitch deck with support from business developers and peer feedback.
It all leads up to a Friday finale in front of a panel of investors and entrepreneurs.
You will get:
- A convincing 10 min. pitch deck.
- A more solid business case.
- Experience pitching to investors and other stakeholders.
Program
(May be subject to minor changes)
- Monday: Kick-off
- Tuesday: Feedback session
- Thursday: Pitch rehearsal and feedback
- Friday: Pitch presentation
TIP: Block your calendar – you will work on your pitch between sessions!
NB: Pitch Week is only open to startups that are part of Kitchen, Aarhus University. Consult your business developer before sign-up.
Registration:
Pitchweek Autumn 2026
- 2 November, 12-14
- 3 November, 12-15
- 5 November, 12-15
- 6 November, 10-13
Pitch Week - Innoexplorer edition
Pitch Week - Innoexplorer edition
About the workshop
Innoexplorer Pitch training is an intense, 2-week long work zone where you and your team work on a convincing pitch deck to prepare yourself the best possible way for the Innoexplorer presentation.
Throughout the program, you will meet with pitch and storytelling experts along with business developers from Kitchen. You will participate as a cohort with other Innoexplorer applicants, creating a valuable space for mutual feedback.
Your pitch training for Innoexplorer ends with you pitching in front of a panel of commercial (not necessarily industry specific) experts in early stage research-based spinouts. Helping you prepare for the Innoexplorer panel pitch.
You will get:
- A convincing pitch, tailored Innoexplorer.
- Experience pitching.
- An improved business case.
Program and schedule
We meet 4 times during the 2 weeks.
For the first 3 days, you must choose between two different tracks (morning or afternoon).
On Day 4, all teams meet together for the grand finale, where you will pitch in front of a panel of commercial experts, investors, and entrepreneurs.
(Please note: Program may be subject to minor changes)
| Day | Track A (morning) | Track B (afternoon) | Content |
| 21 October | 9.00-12.00 | 12.30-15.30 | Kick-off & feedback |
| 23 October | 9.00-12.00 | 12.30-15.30 | Pitch rehearsal & feedback |
| 26 October | 9.00-12.00 | 12.30-15.30 | Pitch rehearsal & feedback |
| 29 October | 9.00-13.00 (all teams) | 9.00-13.00 (all teams) | The finale: Pitch panel presentation |
TIP: make sure to book time in your calendar to work in between the sessions.
Sign-up
When you sign up, please choose whether you want to participate in Track A (Morning) or Track B (Afternoon) for the first 3 days.
Questions?
Not sure which workshop is right for you? Or do you have an idea for a future workshop?
Reach out to head of Toolbox, Vegar Lein Ausrød.
Phone: +45 93 50 87 43
Email: vlaus@au.dk