Funding

Get help connecting your research with capital and investors

Do you have an idea with commercial potential, a startup or spinout company, or a project aimed at public or private commercialisation?

At Kitchen, Aarhus University, we help ensure that strong ideas meet the right funding opportunities and investors:

We strengthen your funding strategy, applications and pitches
We build and maintain relationships with investors and foundations
We connect research with capital through our events and other targeted matchmaking activities

Types of funding

Soft funding

Explore the many opportunities to apply for soft funding for your company or project.

Crowdfunding

Get tips and inspiration for your next crowdfunding campaign.

Investment

Learn more about venture capital and explore the landscape of private investors.

Our grants for students and researchers

Kitchen offers a range of grants that you can apply for as a student or researcher at Aarhus University.

AU Launch

AU Launch is a grant for startup or spinout projects based on academia from Aarhus University to help them demonstrate the commercial potential of their research or idea.

AU Connect

As a researcher at Aarhus University, you can apply for AU Connect funding to expand or develop concrete collaborations with private and public sector organisations.

The Vissing Foundation

Startup and spinout projects from Aarhus University working on new technologies and solutions within green energy and climate can apply for funding from the Vissing Foundation through Kitchen.

Innoexplorer

Innoexplorer is a programme under Innovation Fund Denmark that supports research-based projects with commercial potential. In order to apply, you must be approved by the business developers at Kitchen, who help assess and qualify your project before it is submitted to the fund.

Spin-outs Denmark

Spin-outs Denmark is a one-year programme that supports and invests in entrepreneurial junior researchers who want to turn research into impact and establish companies based on research results. The programme is organised by all Danish universities and funded by the Villum Foundation.

SPARK Denmark

SPARK Denmark is a mentoring programme that supports academic inventions in life science with professional mentorship from industry experts, education within innovation, and financial support. SPARK Denmark is a collaboration between AU, DTU, AAU, SDU and KU and is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Funding and investment events

Kitchen offers a range of events that support funding and investment across all types of innovation – from entrepreneur-driven startups and social innovation projects to deep-tech spinouts.

Each event is tailored to a specific type of innovation and funding pathway, ensuring that every project can connect with the right funding at the right time.

Soft Funding Connect

Purpose: Connects early-stage, research-driven innovation projects with national and EU soft-funding programmes that support validation, proof-of-concept and data generation.

Target Group: Researchers and academic teams working with innovation, as well as early spinouts seeking grants. Public and private grant providers and funding bodies.

Find upcoming Soft Funding Connect events here

Venture Connect

Purpose: Connects scalable, high-growth spinouts and startups with venture funds.

Target Group: Deep-tech spinouts and other venture-ready startups with strong scalability and high growth potential. VC funds and corporate VCs.

Find upcoming Venture Connect events here

Capital Connect

Purpose: Connects startups with business angels, family offices, banks, revenue-based financing, impact funds, crowdfunding and other alternative financing sources.

Target Group: Early-stage and growing startups seeking funding options suited to sustainable, commercially driven de-velopment. Investor audience includes business angels, family offices, banks, revenue-based financing providers, im-pact investors, and crowdfunding platforms.

See upcoming Capital Connect events here

Nordic Innovation Fair

Purpose: Showcases high-potential, research-based technologies from Nordic universities to industry and early-stage investors, enabling licensing, co-development or early commercial engagement.

Target Group: Researchers and early spinouts with emerging IP. Corporate scouts, industry business-development teams, early-stage investors.

Read more about Nordic Innovation Fair here

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Questions?

Do you need advice on funding?

Reach out to business developer Navid Fløe Dayyani.

Phone: +45 91 56 25 49
Email: nada@au.dk

Contact Navid

Revised 13.05.2026

Nina Heiberg Lyhne