In this episode, Jes Andersen, a visionary leader and driving force behind the Innovation District Copenhagen, shares his expertise and insights on the hub's remarkable development and success. With a unique blend of academic, industry, and startup collaboration, the district has emerged as a global innovation hotspot. Jes talks about the origins and growth of the Innovation District, highlighting the pivotal role of strategic partnerships, infrastructure projects, and targeted lobbying efforts.

Throughout the conversation, Jes emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of collaboration, mutual respect, and open communication among diverse stakeholders. He discusses the district's evolution, from its humble beginnings to its current status as a thriving ecosystem, and shares valuable lessons learned along the way. Jes also reflects on his personal journey, revealing the passions and motivations that led him to spearhead this groundbreaking initiative.

As a seasoned expert, Jes offers actionable advice for professionals seeking to contribute to and benefit from Copenhagen's vibrant innovation landscape. He emphasizes the need for adaptability, creativity, and resilience in navigating the complex intersections of academia, industry, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, Jes highlights the district's commitment to talent development, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring a dynamic and sustainable innovation ecosystem.

Timestamps:

Introduction and Overview (00:00 - 03:50)

00:32 - Overview of the Innovation District

District Development (03:50 - 11:14)

03:50 - Rebranding and Development Strategies

08:29 - Fostering Collaborations and Partnerships

Ecosystem Support (11:14 - 21:03)

11:14 - Government Support and Advocacy Efforts

15:04 - Quantum Computing and Emerging Trends

16:52 - Startup Support and Impact Assessment

Vision and Leadership (21:03 - 34:32)

21:03 - Copenhagen's Attractiveness and Vision

31:25 - Jes Andersen's Personal Journey and Career Path

34:32 - Conclusion and Final Remarks

Ideas for future podcast guests or themes? 💡

We want to co-create this podcast with you. We'd therefore love to hear your suggestions for future podcast guests or themes.

Feel free to share in a private message or leave a comment below 🙏🏼

(It's also ok to invite yourself 😉)

Join Our Life Science Talent Ecosystem

We want to build a community to inspire life science professionals and leaders through talent talks and organized events. Share knowledge across the life science community through personal stories of their journey. We encourage you to take part in shaping this community by sharing your feedback, questions, or ideas. This you can do through our LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠community page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Warm Regards from your podcast hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nehar Mortuza⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Søren Spanner Bach

Excited to share the latest episode featuring Line Holst Graves, CEO of Longest Straw, where she shares her inspiring journey from a corporate career to founding her own consultancy, which focuses on guiding biotech and planetary health founders through commercial expansion to secure high-value customers and strategic partnerships.

Line discusses the common challenges scientific entrepreneurs face when commercializing their innovations, offering actionable advice for accelerating market validation.

Key discussion points include the importance of building a strong commercial foundation, adopting a structured approach to client engagement, and leveraging external expertise to fuel business growth.

Timestamps:

00:47 Line's Background and Career Journey

01:45 Starting the Longest Straw

05:10 Challenges and Support in Entrepreneurship

10:07 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

18:44 Common Gaps in Scientific Startups

20:24 Bridging the Commercial Experience Gap

20:56 Balancing Multiple Roles as a Founder

22:17 The Importance of Market Validation

24:34 Structured Approach to Client Engagement

25:45 The Value of Commercial Leadership

28:16 Practical Tips for Accelerating Market Validation

36:30 Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Opportunities

39:55 Final Advice for Founders

Resource Mentioned:

Line's email: line@longestdraw.com

Ideas for future podcast guests or themes? 💡

We want to co-create this podcast with you. We'd therefore love to hear your suggestions for future podcast guests or themes.

Feel free to share in a private message or leave a comment below 🙏🏼

(It's also ok to invite yourself 😉)

Join Our Life Science Talent Ecosystem

We want to build a community to inspire life science professionals and leaders through talent talks and organized events. Share knowledge across the life science community through personal stories of their journey. We encourage you to take part in shaping this community by sharing your feedback, questions, or ideas. This you can do through our LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠community page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Warm Regards from your podcast hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nehar Mortuza⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Søren Spanner Bach

In the latest episode of Life Science Talent Talks, our host sits down with Jan Dideriksen, CEO and Founder of Nordic Virtual Pastures, to explore the company's fascinating journey.

Jan shares how his team has navigated pivotal shifts in strategy and embraced an innovative approach by utilizing fractional hires to extend runway and optimize progress.

A key focus of the discussion is Nordic Virtual Pastures' unique use of sustainably sourced cell media products from bio-waste streams to support cellular agriculture, cultivated meat, and mammalian cell growth.

Jan shares insights on the importance of customer feedback, the company's strategic pivots and the role of fractional hires such as CCO Line Holst Graves in achieving milestones more efficiently.

The conversation provides practical tips for startups on navigating pivots, engaging with investors, and leveraging fractional talent to achieve business goals.

For startup leaders, investors, and innovators, this conversation is packed with actionable advice on managing pivots, engaging with investors, and building lean yet highly effective teams.

Timestamps:

01:05 Overview of Nordic Virtual Pastures

01:12 Product Details and Technology

03:11 Market and Competitive Advantage

05:44 Journey to Entrepreneurship

07:25 First Pivot: From Cell Growth to Cultivated Meat

10:15 Second Pivot: Focusing on Media Components

13:20 Current Strategy and Market Fit

16:32 Feedback and Adaptation

20:43 Innovative Strategies for Product Market Fit

21:03 The Role of a Chief Commercial Officer

22:45 Importance of Customer Feedback

25:26 Fractional Hiring: A Strategic Approach

25:50 Building and Evolving the Team

32:58 Challenges and Benefits of Fractional Hiring

38:44 Future Plans and How to Support

39:50 Final Thoughts and Invitation to Connect

Ideas for future podcast guests or themes? 💡

We want to co-create this podcast with you. We'd therefore love to hear your suggestions for future podcast guests or themes.

Feel free to share in a private message or leave a comment below 🙏🏼

(It's also ok to invite yourself 😉)

Join Our Life Science Talent Ecosystem

We want to build a community to inspire life science professionals and leaders through talent talks and organized events. Share knowledge across the life science community through personal stories of their journey. We encourage you to take part in shaping this community by sharing your feedback, questions, or ideas. This you can do through our LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠community page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Warm Regards from your podcast hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nehar Mortuza⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Søren Spanner Bach