New innovation funds to accelerate the path from research to business in Aarhus

How do you get research-based knowledge into companies, new solutions and new businesses faster? Aarhus University is now putting this question into action by opening a new application round for the innovation grants AU Connect and AU Launch, and at the same time launching a new superstructure, AU Connect+. The grants will strengthen the link between research, innovation and societal value creation in Aarhus and the rest of the country.

The funds come from the research reserve’s innovation funds and are a direct extension of the university’s Strategy 2030, where research-based innovation and entrepreneurship is identified as a key focus area.

Bringing research closer to businesses

AU Connect gives researchers the opportunity to explore, establish or further develop collaborations with private and public companies. The purpose is to bring research closer to specific applications and market needs.

In previous rounds, AU Connect has funded pilot projects, joint analyses with public actors and early testing of research-based ideas in collaboration with companies. The funding has made it possible to test new forms of collaboration, develop technologies and services in dialog with customers and strengthen the application-oriented dimension of research.

Researchers from all five faculties at Aarhus University have previously received funding, demonstrating a broad base across disciplines from tech and science to health and social sciences.

New gear for existing collaborations

AU Connect+ is being introduced as something new. The new pool is targeted at researchers who have previously received AU Connect funding and continue to collaborate with the same company.

While AU Connect is often about taking the first steps in a collaboration, AU Connect+ is intended as the next phase. Here, the ambition is to deepen and further develop already established collaborations, for example by bringing projects closer to implementation and concrete application.

In parallel, Aarhus University opens for a new round of AU Launch. The program is financed by the research reserve’s innovation funds as well as funds from the Salling Foundations and BioInnovation Institute.

AU Launch is aimed at entrepreneurial students and researchers with ambitions to translate knowledge and research into new companies. Over the years, the program has served as a springboard for a large number of knowledge-based startups and spinouts from the university.

The funds can be used to mature business ideas, research markets, validate solutions and develop prototypes, especially in the early stages where the idea is strong but often lacks the resources to take the next crucial steps.