What does it take to create the next leap in growth for the design and lifestyle industry?

At Lifestyle Growth 2026, you’ll meet ambitious companies looking to develop and scale their businesses. Watch selected companies pitch to a panel of investors and experienced business leaders, and gain new perspectives on growth, innovation and sustainable development.

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Follow as business models and growth potential are challenged and discussed, and get insight into both the opportunities and difficult questions that arise when a company is looking to grow. Emerging companies will also pitch their ideas for the audience talent award.

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This year’s expert panel is chaired by Christian Stadil, CEO of Thornico, and includes profiles from the lifestyle industry, entrepreneurship, innovation and investment, including representatives from DK Company, LoveMondays, Founderment, EIFO, Nordic Female Founders and Ferm Living.

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Lifestyle Growth is open to anyone curious about developments in the design and lifestyle industry and interested in getting closer to the ideas and companies shaping its future.

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Register for Lifestyle Growth

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Think you could sell an idea in two minutes?

Ready Set Pitch! is a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn what makes a convincing pitch - and then put it to the test in front of real founders and investors.

You’ll start with a crash course covering structure, storytelling, delivery, and confidence. Then you’ll team up, receive a business case on the spot, and get one hour to turn it into a convincing two-minute pitch.

Finally, it’s time to take the stage. Pitch your case to a jury of founders and investors from Founderment and Delphinus Venture Capital, get direct feedback, and see which team takes home the win.

No experience or startup idea needed. The business case is provided, there’s nothing to prepare, and you’ll be placed in a team on the night.

After the pitches, stick around for burgers from Lighthouse Burgers, drinks, and networking with the jury and your fellow students.

Come alone or bring your friends and classmates - spots are limited and first come, first served.

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‍How do we make it easier for new investors to find their way into Aarhus’ startup ecosystem?

For many potential investors, the startup world can seem both exciting and difficult to navigate. Where do you find the interesting companies in Aarhus? How do you assess the opportunities? What does it actually take to get started? And which organisations are already working with startup investments in Aarhus?

These are exactly the questions at the heart of a special morning meeting hosted by Startup Aarhus on October 8 for new and curious investors, ahead of Aarhus Investor Summit. The aim is to give participants a better understanding of the startup ecosystem and create a space where they can ask questions, find inspiration, and meet others interested in investing in young growth companies.

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There is interest in startup investments, but for many, the gap between interest and action remains significant. That is why Startup Aarhus wants to create a more accessible path into the investment environment.

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As Otto Bjerg Hausgaard, Investment Specialist at Startup Aarhus, who is hosting the morning meeting and works daily to connect companies seeking capital with investors, says:

“We meet many people who are curious about startup investments but are looking for more insight into how the market works and how to get started. The morning meeting is intended to make it easier to take the first steps and give participants a better foundation for engaging with the startup segment.”

At the morning meeting, participants will gain insight into, among other things, how startup investments differ from more traditional investments, and who some of the experienced investors and key players in the East Jutland startup ecosystem are.

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The initiative has been developed in collaboration with a number of the largest organisations with private banking activities in Aarhus, who will also take part in the day. In this way, new investors will have the opportunity to meet both the startup ecosystem and some of the established financial players in the city.

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This event gives new investors an overview of the Aarhus startup ecosystem and an introduction to what to expect from Aarhus Investor Summit and Townhall. You will be introduced to key players in the Aarhus ecosystem, including INCUBA, Startup Aarhus, AU Kitchen, DanBAN, and Keystones, as well as selected startups that have achieved success in Aarhus.

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Registration: Through the private banking department of selected banks or directly with Otto Hausgaard at otto@thelink.dk.

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The programme features perspectives from leading voices in venture capital, discussions on current market trends, and opportunities to connect with business angels, venture funds, family offices, and other investors with an interest in startups and growth companies. (Full programme TBA, ending at 14.30)

This year, we are strengthening the investor focus even further with a curated audience and a programme designed to make Aarhus worth the trip, whether you are travelling from Copenhagen, elsewhere in Denmark, or abroad.

The day concludes with the INCUBA Awards, celebrating Startup of the Year and Investor of the Year for their contribution to growth, innovation, and the development of the Aarhus startup ecosystem.

‍Please note: Aarhus Investor Summit is exclusively for investors.

​The time of the year has finally came - we're back with the annual Aarhus Townhall! 🥂

​Before we kick off the main event, we’re hosting a focused mingle for local founders and the investors. No fluff. Real, facilitated conversations.

If you’re a founder fundraising or close to it, register above and lock your spot via the form below. Remember to tell us who you want to see in the room - we’ll be building the guest list around it ;)

​If you're an investor, register using the link above.

​Founder form - Open Google Form

​PROGRAM

15.30: Arrival and Welcome

15:35 - 16:55: Facilitated Networking

​17.00: Townhall 🚀

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​The mixer is held at the same venue as the Townhall.

​If you haven't signed up for the Townhall event yet - remember to do so here: https://www.startupaarhus.com/events/townhall

​If you have any questions reach out to Dominika, Otto or Sisse from Startup Aarhus.

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​Are you new to our Townhall events? Don't worry! We've got you covered.

​What to Expect:
From 4:00 PM, dive into an hour of casual networking with fellow first-timers. Meet like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and kickstart meaningful connections.

​Agenda:
4:00 PM - 4:20 PM: Small networking session to get the conversation kick-started.

​4:20 PM - 5:00 PM: Time to chat with the other participants and grab a delicious drink.

​This pre-event offers the perfect opportunity to ease into the Townhall vibe, meet new faces, and get a head start on building lasting relationships. Don't miss out, secure your spot now, it's totally free!

​🚨 Disclaimer:
Please note, this pre-event is exclusively for those who have never attended Townhall before. We kindly ask returning attendees to join us for the main event.

​Remember to also sign up for the main Townhall event - you can grab your ticket here:
https://luma.com/townhall2026

​Can't wait to see you there!

Townhall is our favourite excuse to get everyone together.

​It’s where you grab a beer, eat shawarma, meet people who speak “startup” fluently, and maybe even find that missing piece your company has been looking for.

​At Aarhus Townhall, the stage is kept short, sharp and done before your drink gets warm.

​Because this isn’t about listening for hours. It’s about actually meeting people.

​Expect music, surprises, shawarma and a room full of people building, backing and supporting startups from Aarhus.

​Bring a friend or come on your own.

​It’s chill, it’s free, and we promise you’ll fit right in 🖤

​And this year is special.

​For the first time, Startup Aarhus and INCUBA have teamed up to create Aarhus’ biggest day for investors and startups by hosting Aarhus Townhall and Aarhus Investor Summit on the same day.

​First Investor Summit. Then Townhall. That means more founders, more investors and more of the Aarhus startup ecosystem in town together.

​Interested in Aarhus Investor Summit? Register here.

​Hope to see you on October 8th!

​Startup Aarhus

​PS: We have a limited number of tickets, and it’s first come, first served. They usually disappear fast, so please only grab one if you know you can make it. Every no-show means someone else from the community misses out.

​Didn’t get one? Join our waitlist. We’ll contact you if anything opens up.

Join us for the official afterparty at Tir na Nog in Aarhus. We'll leave Townhall together and head there for drinks and more time with the people you've met throughout the evening.

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Joint departure from Turbinehallen

​Understanding the market, the buyers and the next cybersecurity opportunities

​Where are the biggest opportunities in cybersecurity - and what does the market actually need?

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This session explores cybersecurity through the eyes of the organizations buying, building, and implementing security solutions. Gain perspectives on the Danish security tech ecosystem, real-world security priorities, AI and security, and the challenges of bringing cybersecurity solutions to market.

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For investors, understanding the customer and the market is key to understanding the opportunity. The session brings together perspectives from across the cybersecurity ecosystem to help you better assess market needs, commercial potential, and the realities facing cybersecurity startups and their customers.

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Program

​14:00 - Arrival and networking

​14:30 - Welcome by Startup Aarhus

​14:40 - An introduction to STS and the ecosystem in an aorund Aarhus
Peer Kristensen from Security Tech Space will share insights into the key players, collaborations, opportunities and challenges driving this development, and where he sees the cyber ecosystem in Aarhus is heading next.

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​15:00 - The industry perspective
How does a large organisation like Norlys adopt new services while keeping security at the forefront? Kasper Tindbæk, CISO at Norlys, will share insights into how they work with new technologies.

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​15:35 - AI and security
AI and security is a very hot topic at the moment. Daniel Skov Jacobsen, Founder Bastio AI and Serpwise AI, will share insights into what's happening in this part of the market.

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​16:10 - The startup perspective on accessing the market
How does the market look from a startup perspective, and how can startups best navigate an increasingly complex and fast-moving landscape? Anders Søndergaard, former co-founder of Coana will share his experience and insights on this topic.

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​17:00 - End of day

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‍Who is this for?

​Cyber Angel Academy is designed for current and potential investors who want to strengthen their understanding of cybersecurity and their ability to identify and evaluate promising startups.

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Participation is free of charge, but registration is required. Make sure to register by October 14 to secure your spot.

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From cyber research to the next breakthrough

​Some of tomorrow’s most important cybersecurity companies may begin with the research being conducted today.

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The Research Perspective takes you inside the cybersecurity research environment at Aarhus University. Meet leading researchers, explore selected research projects, and gain insight into emerging technologies and ideas that could develop into solutions with real-world impact.

For investors, understanding emerging technologies can provide an important perspective when evaluating early-stage opportunities. This session brings you closer to the research shaping the future of cybersecurity – and the technologies that could become tomorrow’s solutions.

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​Program

​13:30 - Arrival and networking

​14:00 - Welcome by Startup Aarhus

​14:10 - Developing Cyber Talent: Insights from Denmark’s Cybersecurity Community
Jens Myrup, Professor and National Coach of the Danish Cyber Team, will share insights from being at the heart of Denmark’s cybersecurity community, and his perspective on developing the next generation of cyber talent.

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​14:45 - The Role of Universities in Cybersecurity
What role can universities play in strengthening the cybersecurity ecosystem? Kaj Grønbæk, Head of Department at Computer Science, Aarhus University, will share insights into AU Cyber and the university’s role in cybersecurity research innovation with a look at the IFD Defence Cyber initiative.

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​15:15 - A sneak peak into the lap: An introduction to cybersecurity research projects
In this session, handpicked research projects will take us inside the labs to explore emerging technologies, innovative ideas, and research that could shape the future of cyber.

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​16:30 - End of day

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​Who is this for?

​Cyber Angel Academy is designed for current and potential investors who want to strengthen their understanding of cybersecurity and their ability to identify and evaluate promising startups.

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​Participation is free of charge, but registration is required. Make sure to register by October 30 to secure your spot.

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Startup B2B Sales Roundtable

An informal roundtable for founders working through early commercial and sales challenges.

Bring a question, a challenge you’re stuck on, or simply join the conversation with other founders and operators. Together, we’ll share experiences and discuss topics such as finding your first customers, B2B positioning, founder-led sales, and go-to-market strategy.

The session is informal and discussion-based, with room to bring your own challenges to the table.

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Picking winners in cybersecurity

​What makes a cybersecurity company investable, and how do you identify real potential in a highly technical and rapidly evolving market?

The Investor Perspective focuses on the considerations behind identifying and evaluating cybersecurity startups. Through perspectives from both venture investors and business angels, explore how opportunities are assessed – from case selection and due diligence to evaluating early-stage potential and distinguishing promising companies from hype.

The session will give you practical perspectives to strengthen your ability to identify, assess, and invest in cybersecurity startups.

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Program

​14:00 - Arrival and networking

​14:15 - Welcome by Startup Aarhus

​14:20 - Masterclass: Investing in cybersecurity
What does it take to invest in the next generation of cybersecurity companies? Farid Singh from Nexwin and Startup Wise Guys will take us behind the scenes of cybersecurity investments, covering case selection, due diligence, and how promising cybersecurity startups are developed.

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​16:15 - Insights from a business angel
What does it take to spot potential in early-stage cyber startups? Lars Neupart, angel investor, DanBAN member and founder of Resiliate, will share insights into how investors assess early-stage cyber cases, identify promising opportunities, and distinguish real potential from hype.

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​17:00 - End of day

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Who is this for?
Cyber Angel Academy is designed for current and potential investors looking to strengthen their understanding of cybersecurity, including business angels, exited founders, industry experts, and venture funds.

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Participation is free of charge, but registration is required. Make sure to register by November 11 to secure your spot.

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An informal discussion for founders working through early commercial and ops challenges. Solve them with an intimate group of peers and advisors.

What can you expect?

Feel free to bring a question, a challenge you're stuck on, or simply come to meet other founders and operators.

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About the hosts:
Mehak Chadha Hold is a revenue and growth leader with 15+ years turning strategy into measurable results for world-class brands including Disney, Marvel, Amazon, Prime Video and Spotify.

Get to know and connect with Mehak on LinkedIn here

Jo Lin enjoys working with founders on commercial strategy and early stage sales. She is a B2B sales veteran with $50M+ closed in R&D services and enterprise SaaS in regulated industries.

Get to know and connect with Jo on LinkedIn here

Do you want to join? Sign up here!

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This is part of the Builders Aarhus event series. We make it easy for ambitious people to find collaborators, improve their startups, and build lasting relationships.

Other events in the series include:

• Mixer for Future Partners and Cofounders - themed networking to expand your circle.
• Builder Feedback Night - bring your MVP, prototype, landing page, or pitch for group feedback.

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Can the right circle unlock your next startup?

Some founders have a startup and need a commercial cofounder. Others have strong skills — technical, sales, operations, design — and are looking for the right opportunity. This mixer is designed to help you make those connections.

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Agenda
16.30: Meet & greet
17.00: Monthly speaker and Q&A
18.00: Open networking

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This month's topic: Your Roadmap Is Not a Strategy

Early traction is the dangerous part: you can grow for a while by saying yes to everything, then stall without knowing why.

Mehak Chadha Hold walks through what changes when you go from finding customers to scaling them — picking one channel over five, making the strategic choices that create focus, and hiring the team that can actually run it.

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About the speaker:

Mehak Chadha Hold is a revenue and growth leader with 15+ years turning strategy into measurable results for world-class brands including Disney, Marvel, Amazon, Prime Video and Spotify.

Get to know and connect with Mehak here.

Do you want to join? Sign up here!

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This is part of the Builders Aarhus event series. Ambitious people come to find collaborators, improve their startups, and build lasting relationships.The events are run in English.

Other events in the series include:

Founders Strategy Roundtable - Bring your early sales and ops challenges. Solve them with an intimate group of peers and advisors.
Builder Feedback Night - Bring your MVP, prototype, landing page, or pitch for group feedback.

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