DTU Skylab

What DTU Skylab does

DTU Skylab is the innovation and entrepreneurial hub of the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), a public research university. It functions as the designated convergence point for DTU students, researchers, affiliated startups, and external industry collaborators, providing 5,500 m² of specialized infrastructure at DTU's main campus in Lyngby plus a 400 m² satellite facility (DTU Link) at DTU Risø Campus in Region Zealand. The hub's facilities span digital labs, food labs, science labs (GMO, chemistry, multi-lab), a design lab with VR/eye-tracking equipment, prototyping workshops with 3D printing and laser cutting, a 24/7 Developer Hall for hardware projects, and event spaces including a 254 m² Arena with LED wall. It serves as a cross-disciplinary learning hub used by multiple DTU departments.

The core programme stack consists of a three-stage Startup Programme (Discover, Validate, Launch Pad), the Skylab Funding grant distribution mechanism (DKK 15,000–150,000), Pre-Scaleup Track, Prototype2Market, Pre-startup Mentoring, and Advisory Days providing free legal, IP, and accounting consultations. It also distributes larger national grants including Discovery Grants (DKK 20,000–150,000), Proof of Concept Grants (up to DKK 500,000), and InnoExplorer Grants (DKK 500,000–1,500,000 via Innovation Fund Denmark). The hub intermediates grant capital from a network of more than 10 Danish foundations and partners including Vissing Fonden, BioInnovation Institute, Christian Nielsens Fond, Den Danske Maritime Fond, BEVICA Fonden, and Innovation Fund Denmark, and co-hosts programming with AI Denmark and the Pioneer Centre for Artificial Intelligence.

The business model is not commercially revenue-driven. Access is free for DTU students and staff; the hub is funded by DTU's institutional budget and external foundation/partnership contributions. The only direct revenue stream is paid visit packages for external organizations (Tour €500, Tour and Meeting €1,000, Deep Dive €2,000, Customized Visits on request). Grant capital is pass-through, not earned income. As a public-sector intermediary, DTU Skylab's economic model prioritizes research commercialization, deep-tech venture creation, and industry-academia collaboration over financial return.

Name

DTU Skylab

Legal name

DTU Skylab

Website

https://skylab.dtu.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Short description

DTU Skylab is the innovation hub of the Technical University of Denmark, providing 5,500 m² of labs, workshops, and structured programmes that support students, researchers, and startups in prototyping, commercialization, and deep-tech venture development.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

University Innovation Hub / Startup Incubation Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Technology Transfer & Innovation-Driven Research Universities (High Commercialization) (EDAHABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Research Administration & Grants Management Support (Pre/Post-Award, Compliance) (EDAEALAO), Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI), STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

Keywords

• University innovation hub
• Startup incubation programs
• Prototype development facilities
• Deep-tech entrepreneurship
• Technology transfer services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kongens Lyngby

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Innovation Hub Services (Free Access): DTU Skylab provides free access to facilities, programmes, and mentorship for DTU students and staff. Revenue is not the primary objective as it operates as a university innovation hub funded by DTU and external partners.
2. Skylab Funding (Grant Distribution): DTU Skylab facilitates grant distribution from funding partners to qualifying startups. Grants range from DKK 15,000 to 150,000 for early-stage funding, DKK 500,000 for Proof of Concept, and DKK 500,000-1,500,000 for InnoExplorer grants. The hub acts as an intermediary managing applications and disbursement.
3. External Visit Services: Paid visit packages for external businesses and organizations not affiliated with DTU. Pricing includes Tour of Facility (€500), Tour and Meeting (€1000), Deep Dive (€2000), and Customized Visits (contact for pricing).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

DTU Skylab operates a 5,500 sqm innovation hub at the Technical University of Denmark's main campus in Lyngby, providing students, researchers, and affiliated startups with access to state-of-the-art labs (Digital, Food, Science, Design), prototyping workshops, co-working spaces, mentorship, structured startup programs (Discover, Validate, Launch Pad), and distribution of soft funding grants ranging from DKK 15,000 to 1,500,000 from multiple foundation partners. External organizations can book paid visit packages (Tour, Deep Dive, Customized Visits) for engagement with the hub.

Product overview

DTU Skylab is the innovation and entrepreneurial hub of the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), covering 5,500 square meters at DTU's main campus in Lyngby. It is not a single software product but rather a comprehensive ecosystem of programs, facilities, and services. The core offerings include the Skylab Startup Programme (a three-stage program: Discover, Validate, Launch Pad), Skylab Funding (soft funding grants), and Pre-Scaleup Track. Supporting these are various grant programs (Discovery Grants, Proof of Concept Grants, InnoExplorer Grants), mentorship services (Pre-startup Mentoring, Advisory Days), and the Prototype2Market program. Physical infrastructure includes multiple labs (Digital Lab, Food Lab, Science Labs including GMO/Chemistry/Multi Lab, Design Lab), prototyping workshops, Developer Hall workspace, event spaces (Arena, Auditorium), and the DTU Link Risø satellite facility. The hub also offers educational modules, Applied AI Lunch Talks, and community events for students, researchers, startups, and industry collaborators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Skylab Startup Programme A three-stage program (Discover, Validate, Launch Pad) for DTU-affiliated startup teams that provides practical learning, one-on-one coaching, mentorship, and personal development to transform ideas into sustainable businesses.
• Skylab Funding Soft funding program providing grants of DKK 15,000 to 150,000 to DTU-affiliated startups developing prototypes or testing concepts, sourced from multiple foundation partners including Vissing Fonden, BioInnovation Institute, and Christian Nielsens Fond.
• Pre-Scaleup Track Specialized track supporting early-stage startup projects transforming into investable ventures, providing 1:1 support, tailored business development sessions, and access to mentors and investors.
• DTU Discovery Grants Early-stage funding of DKK 20,000-150,000 for technical development and maturation, with weekly panel meetings and one-week response time for Stage 1 Startup Programme participants.
• Proof of Concept Grants DTU's own commercialization funding instrument providing up to DKK 500,000 for startup journey projects focusing on prototypes, scalability demonstration, and user testing for Stage 2 Startup Programme participants.
• DTU InnoExplorer Grants National funding programme for commercialization of research results at pre-commercial stage, with grants of DKK 500,000-1,500,000 (incl. 44% overhead) for technical and commercial maturation, operated by Innovation Fund Denmark with DTU Skylab endorsement.
• Skylab Prototype2Market Program for research-based startups to transform deep-tech innovations from prototype to market-ready products, offering residency in Developer Hall and tailored technical development plans.
• Pre-startup Mentoring Mentor programme connecting pre-startup or startup teams with experienced mentors for guidance on growth and development.
• Advisory Days Free and confidential startup consultation service providing advice in legal, accounting, and intellectual property matters for students, researchers, and affiliated startups.
• Digital Lab Gathering point for innovation with a digital backbone, offering tech support, equipment, courses, and projects in digital technologies and AI applications.
• Food Lab Multidisciplinary laboratory for food system change and innovation, with fully-equipped kitchen for food prototyping and product development, supporting sustainable food system projects.
• Science Labs Well-equipped labs covering GMO Lab for genetic work, Chemistry Lab for chemical processes, and Multi Lab for cross-disciplinary prototyping with fume hoods, laminar airflow, and autoclaves.
• Design Lab Virtual design and testing space featuring VR headsets, eye trackers, 360° cameras, green screen, and high-performance computers for VR experiences, AI model development, molecular design, and UX testing.
• Prototyping Workshops Well-equipped prototyping workshops facilitating work with wood, metal, electronics, 3D printing, laser cutting, and prototyping in various materials, including welding shop and rapid prototyping equipment.
• Developer Hall Workspace for hardware projects and large-scale prototypes with 24/7 access to workshops and labs, designed for deep-tech startups and product development.
• Event Spaces (Arena and Auditorium) Flexible event facilities including the Arena (254 m2 flagship space with LED-wall) and Auditorium (131 m2), available for entrepreneurship and innovation events.
• DTU Link, Risø Innovation hub at DTU Risø Campus offering 400 m2 workspace, prototype workshop, and support for startups and tech-oriented companies in Region Zealand, focused on P2X and sustainable technology.
• External Visit Packages Paid visit packages for external businesses and organizations including Tour of Facility (€500), Tour and Meeting (€1,000), Deep Dive (€2,000), and Customized Visits (contact for pricing).

Quantifiable outcome

• 100+ innovation collaborations facilitated between SMEs and university researchers at DTU Link alone
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AI DenmarkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Applied AI Lunch Talks where industry meets academia. AI Denmark coordinates and promotes AI-focused events and initiatives at DTU Skylab.
• Pioneer Centre for Artificial IntelligencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Pioneer Centre for AI on digital innovation projects and research initiatives.
• DTU ComputecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose collaboration with DTU Compute and other DTU departments working with digital technologies for the Digital Lab initiatives.
• Roskilde Kommune (Roskilde Municipality)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership agreement to develop Risø as a hotspot for sustainable technology development. Includes expansion of 530,000 m2 with facilities for 400 students and up to 4,000 new workplaces.
• Energy Cluster DenmarkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in P2X Risø project supporting PtX innovation and test facilities for green technology.
• GreenLabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in P2X Risø project for PtX innovation and sustainable energy technology development.
• Stiesdal HydrogenminorOthersInnovation collaboration on increasing efficiency of electrolysers through improved understanding of bubble dynamics. Working with Roskilde University researchers on multiphase flow modeling.
• Kvasir TechnologiesminorOthersCollaboration combining pyrolysis technology with e-methanol from PtX to develop new technology for eliminating carbon emissions from heavy transport.
• EogyminorOthersExternal collaborator providing free and confidential startup consultation on legal matters during Advisory Days programme.
• ZaccominorOthersExternal collaborator providing free and confidential startup consultation on IP (intellectual property) matters during Advisory Days programme.
• Kromann ReumertminorOthersExternal collaborator providing free and confidential startup consultation on accounting matters during Advisory Days programme.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• BioInnovation Institute (BII): Copenhagen-based life-science incubator and venture builder funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation — overlaps with DTU Skylab on biotech grants (DTU startups receive BII funding) and competes for the same biotech founder pool.

Direct peers

• Chalmers Ventures: Chalmers University's venture creation arm in Gothenburg operating a tech incubator with investment, accelerator programmes, and access to Chalmers research — the most structurally similar Nordic university innovation hub.
• DTU Science Park: DTU-affiliated science and technology park in Hørsholm providing labs, office space, and incubation for deep-tech startups — the closest Danish analogue, sharing the same university parent and similar deep-tech focus.
• KTH Innovation: KTH Royal Institute of Technology's innovation hub in Stockholm supporting researchers and students to commercialise deep-tech and engineering research — directly comparable mission and university backing.
• Aalto Startup Center: Aalto University's startup incubator in Espoo, Finland offering pre-incubator and incubator programmes tailored to science- and engineering-based founders — a Nordic peer with near-identical target audience.

Broad incumbents

• ETH Zurich Innovation Hub (ETH transfer): ETH Zurich's technology-transfer and entrepreneurship platform offering student programmes, Founder Fellowships, and deep-tech venture support — a larger, more established European technical-university innovation hub with similar deep-tech lab orientation.
• TU Berlin Innovation Hub: Germany's largest technical university with multiple innovation and entrepreneurship programmes for student and researcher founders — comparable scale and mission in deep-tech and engineering.
• EPFL Innovation Park: Swiss deep-tech park adjacent to EPFL providing lab/office space and incubator services for science-based startups — a larger, more international sibling in the European deep-tech innovation-hub landscape.
• University of Cambridge Judge Business School Entrepreneurship Centre: Cambridge University's entrepreneurship centre providing programmes, mentorship, and funding for student/researcher founders — comparable European university-backed deep-tech incubation model.

Others

• Innovation Fund Denmark: National Danish public funding body operating the InnoExplorer grant programme channelled through DTU Skylab — simultaneously a major partner and a structural dependency for the hub's funding ladder.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFc8U1OknoqZqn0jGqd0nuA
• Facebookfacebook.com/dtuskylab
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dtuskylab
• Instagraminstagram.com/dtuskylab

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DTU Skylab