Every year CAPNOVA invests a collected DKK 25 million in each of its two main areas, interactive media (startups related to computer games, e-learning, and e-health) and food tech (startups that renew the food industry with innovative technologies).

Experience

CAPNOVA is a private limited company. It also has the status as being one of the four innovation incubators in Denmark approved by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science. Since the birth of these initiatives in the late nineties, their goal has been to support knowledge-driven entrepreneurs. So far, CAPNOVA has fostered over 250 startups, which adds up to DKK 2 billion investments.

How much do they invest?

In a single company, maximum DKK 6.5 million made possible by capital from the Danish state. An additional DKK 6-10 million can be invested via CAPNOVA’s privately held funds.

How do they work?

After receiving a description of your idea or an actual business plan, CAPNOVA examines it closer. This initial study is a process based on dialogue with you. It addresses your startup in terms of its innovation power (team skills, technology and potential patents), but takes in overall considerations concerning market, financial outlook, and legal matters as well. Finally, a close look is given to the investment amount you have in mind. If it is deemed sensible, CAPNOVA will draft an agreement with them as a funding partner. In the end their board of directors decide, whether to invest in your startup or not. The whole process lasts up to three months.

Businesses joining CAPNOVA’s portfolio can expect an ongoing collaboration. You commit to deliver on fixed goals for your company’s development. In return they make their knowhow and network available.   

This makes a difference to them

Key values for CAPNOVA is the startup’s level of new thinking, a strong team, and a commercially viable business plan with the prospect of creating jobs.

A good pitch for them

It is driven by enthusiasm and is very specific. In your initial business pitch you should answer questions related to both existing and future funding needs, business model, target audience, go-to-market strategy, plus a description of your team, person by person. CAPNOVA gives a full list of useful questions here. 

And think: How do I give them a coherent narrative about how I will get from A-Z?

Startups they funded

Cope it, Human Technologies, GlycoSpot, and LoveMade.