NOW! OE Co-founder run autumn 2026: Campaign open for research-based pre-startups

Kickstart your commercial co-founder search

We invite research-based pre-startups with connections to a Danish university to apply to participate in Co-founder run in Autumn 2026.

If your pre-startup is selected, your team will receive support to help attract relevant co-founder profiles. Your pre-startup one-pager will be featured on our website, on affiliated university innovation hubs and on our LinkedIn company page.

Your pre-startup must meet the two following criteria

  1. Be affiliated with a Danish university hub, university programme, and/or Danish science park, and must have an Innovation Professional/Business Developer or equivalent committed to supporting the team throughout the Co-founder run.
  2. Have reached a sufficient level of maturity to benefit from co-founder matching. This means that you have a clear project scope, some initial validation, and are ready to actively involve a co-founder in core activities.

Finding the right commercial co-Founder: The key to turning research into a successful venture
For research-based pre-startups, finding the right commercial co-founder can be the key to turning research into a successful venture.

Open Entrepreneurship’s Co-founder run connects researchers with potential co-founders, entrepreneurs, and industry experts early in the startup journey, creating the foundation for strong teams and successful companies.

How to apply: Application guide for pre-startups

  1. Confirm an Innovation Professional/Business Developer’s support from your university
  2. Download the one-pager template here (a guide is included)
  3. Complete the template and save it as a PDF
  4. Submit the template along with your application via this form: Sign up as pre-startup for Co-founder run

Deadline: 14 September 2026.

Want to learn more before applying? Join our online information meeting

We invite you to join our our online information meeting for pre-startups on 3 September 2026 at 12:00–13:00. You will learn more about our Co-founder run and the application process.

Sign up for the online meeting by sending an email to info@open-entrepreneurship.com 

If you need more information, you are welcome to reach out to Nynne Budtz Christiansen or any of the OE Co-founder run team members (see contact further below).

Or perhaps you can find the answer you are looking for in the FAQ.

Important dates for pre-startups autumn 2026

See list of important dates related to pre-startups.

 

Would you like to join co-founder run as an entrepreneur or expert?

Discover exciting, research-driven ventures and apply for a commercial co-founder role. Selected candidates will advance to direct interviews with the founding teams.

The next campaign opens on 8 October 2026, until then you can sign up on our waitlist by sending an email to info@open-entrepreneurship.com.

Follow Open Entrepreneurship on LinkedIn for updates and announcements.

Shape the future as a commercial co-founder in a research-based pre-startup

This opportunity is for entrepreneurs and industry experts who are curious about joining an early-stage research venture and helping build the next generation of innovative companies.

OE Co-Founder Run gives you the chance to get involved from the earliest stages, where your experience, ideas, and network can help shape both the venture and the founding team. The role typically begins as a flexible, non-salaried commitment with the potential to grow alongside the company.

Want to learn more? Join our online information meeting

We invite you to join our online information meeting for commercial co-founders on 29 October 2026  at 12:00–13:00. You will learn more about our Co-founder run and the matching process.

Sign up for the online meeting by sending an email to info@open-entrepreneurship.com.

What we expect from you as a co-founder candidate

1. You can work from the local university office/the startup office 7 hours/week, as part of the team (some cases may specify higher expectations in their one-pagers).

2. However, we do not expect you to invest in the case.

3. You will enter a 2–3-month trial period, if you then mutually agree on a good match, you can then start formalizing with a co-founder agreement negotiation, earning ownership based on contribution (sweat equity).

Important note
This is not a traditional job opening. There is no predefined, salaried role. As a co-founder, you will join at an early stage, where building the venture and securing initial funding are core parts of the journey.

Some teams are also seeking a technical co-founder

While OE Co-Founder Run primarily focuses on matching research-based pre-startups with commercial co-founders, some research-based pre-startups occasionally seek technical co-founders. If you would like to hear more, please contact Nynne Budtz Christiansen – find contact details below.

Important dates for co-founders autumn 2026

See list of important dates related to co-founders.

 

About Open Entrepreneurship Co-founder run

Twice a year, Open Entrepreneurship facilitates a national Co-founder run across all eight Danish universities, matching research-based pre-startups with experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts interested in joining as commercial co-founders.

A dedicated team from Open Entrepreneurship supports participants throughout the process, drawing on expertise and networks from universities across Denmark.

Pre-startups receive targeted support to attract relevant potential co-founders, while entrepreneurs and industry experts gain the opportunity to join promising research-based ventures and help transform research into scalable businesses.

Many participating ventures are still at the research or technology stage, making commercial expertise and entrepreneurial experience especially valuable. While OE Co-founder run is designed for research-based pre-startups, more mature university-affiliated startups seeking a co-founder are also welcome.

Whether you represent a pre-startup or are exploring the opportunity to become a co-founder, OE Co-founder run offers a unique pathway to turning research into real-world impact.

If you need more information, you are welcome to reach out to us at info@open-entrepreneurship.com – or perhaps you can find the answer your are looking for in the FAQ.

More information and FAQ

If you need more information, you are welcome to reach out to us – or perhaps you can find the answer in the FAQ.

Reach out to one of us in the Co-founder run team:

Jens Friholm
DTU Skylab, DTU
M: +45 9392 8242
E: jefrih@dtu.dk

Otto Bjerg Hausgaard
The Kitchen, AU
M: +45 2559 0657
E: obh@au.dk

Neta Kela
KU Lighthouse
M: +45 3166 6120
E: neta@adm.ku.dk

Nynne Budtz Christiansen
Open Entrepreneurship
M: +45 9351 8975
E: nmch@dtu.dk

Previous Co-founder runs

For your inspiration, we have listed previously participating pre-startups here