Silkeborg Business

What Silkeborg Business does

Silkeborg Business is a nonprofit membership-based business association (Danish forening, CVR 14697292) headquartered at Det Gamle Rådhus, Torvet 2A, Silkeborg, Denmark, serving approximately 1,000 member companies concentrated among small and medium-sized enterprises in Silkeborg Municipality. The association dates its operating form to 2008, with formal award traditions (Erhvervsprisen) running since 1981 and a co-published magazine partnership with Midtjyllands Avis in place since 2009. It organizes the local private-sector ecosystem into 18 distinct network groups covering functional, sectoral, and stage-based segments: Business100 for owners and executives, CEO and CFO groups, owner-manager groups for growth companies, Green Business for sustainability, HR, Marketing & E-com, factory managers, craftsmen, solos, apprentices, and entrepreneur networks (VON). The portfolio is service- rather than technology-based: tiered annual memberships (1,050-11,895 DKK depending on company size for 2026), the annual Drewsen Award Show (gala of roughly 350 attendees in 2025), the G-kraft incubator and coworking facility (40+ startups at Ferskvandscentret Erhvervspark), the Business Sprint accelerator, free entrepreneur counseling (Iværksættersparring and Åben virksomhedsrådgivning with revisor and advokat), and 50+ events per year. Distribution runs through direct website enrollment, 18 facilitator-led network groups, and a deep partnership stack with Silkeborg Kommune (municipality, whose Mayor Helle Gade sits on the board), Jyske Bank (board representation plus Erhvervspris co-sponsorship), Midtjyllands Avis (co-published magazine), Erhvervshus Midtjylland, Dansk Industri, EY, Deloitte, UN Global Compact Network Denmark, Norlys, FDM Jyllandsringen, Handel Silkeborg, and vocational education institutions (College360, Erhvervsakademi Dania, Silkeborg Gymnasium). The supporting technology is a standard website platform (silkeborgbusiness.dk) with email newsletter, LinkedIn presence, and YouTube channel (erhvervsilkeborg), with no proprietary software product.

Name

Silkeborg Business

Legal name

Silkeborg Business

Website

https://silkeborgbusiness.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Silkeborg Business is a nonprofit membership-based business association in Silkeborg, Denmark, serving approximately 1,000 member companies primarily SMEs through 18 network groups, the G-kraft startup incubator, 50+ annual events, and advisory services. It is funded mainly through tiered annual membership fees ranging from 1,050 to 11,895 DKK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Association Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Conferences & Conventions Operations Services (Registration, AV, Logistics) (MPAGAGAM)

Keywords

• Business networking
• Business association
• Entrepreneur support
• Local business community
• Corporate networking events

Headquarters

HQ city

Silkeborg

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Silkeborg Business generates revenue primarily through annual membership fees charged to member companies. Fees are tiered based on company size (number of employees). Membership provides access to networking groups, events, business support, and the broader business community. The association also generates revenue through event fees (e.g., Drewsen Award Show tickets at 825-1495 DKK per person), sponsorship, and potentially co-organized programs with partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Silkeborg Business is a membership-based business association providing networking, business advisory, events, and entrepreneur support services to approximately 1,000 member companies in the Silkeborg region of Denmark. The association operates 18 specialized network groups, runs the G-kraft startup incubator, publishes the Silkeborg Business Magazine, and hosts 50+ annual events including the Drewsen Award Show, with services funded through tiered annual membership fees.

Product overview

Silkeborg Business operates as a membership-based business network and association rather than a traditional product company. Its core offering is membership access to various professional network groups (including Business100 for executives, Green Business for sustainability-focused members, and functional groups in HR, Marketing, and CFO domains), supplemented by physical facilities (G-Kraft coworking space), business development programs (Business Sprint), advisory services (Iværksættersparring and Åben virksomhedsrådgivning), and annual events (Drewsen Award Show). The portfolio is structured around community, knowledge sharing, and professional development rather than a unified software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Business100: Exclusive network for owners and leaders of businesses in Silkeborg.
• Green Business
• G-Kraft
• Drewsen Award Show
• Silkeborg Business Magasinet

Products and services

• Business100

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 entrepreneurs supported annually through its startup programs.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Silkeborg Kommune (Silkeborg Municipality)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilkeborg Business maintains a close strategic partnership with Silkeborg Municipality for joint business development initiatives. This includes the Erhvervstaskforce (a direct access point for businesses to the municipality), joint events like Borgmesterhåndtryk (Mayor's handshake for apprentices), Miniskills youth outreach, and co-sponsorship of awards. The municipality is also represented on the Board of Silkeborg Business (Mayor Helle Gade and Municipal Director Lone Lyrskov are board members).
• FDM JyllandsringenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFDM Jyllandsringen co-hosts the Green Business event 'Grøn acceleration på FDM Jyllandsringen' with Silkeborg Business, providing a venue for the event and participating in the program around future transport and energy solutions.
• NorlysminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNorlys partners with Silkeborg Business on the Green Business network events focused on green transition and energy solutions. Norlys participates as a co-host and sponsor of green business programs.
• Midtjyllands AviscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2009, Silkeborg Business and Midtjyllands Avis have co-published the Silkeborg Business Magazine, producing 100 magazine editions with over 600 business stories. This is a flagship co-publishing partnership that has significantly strengthened the association's brand and reach in the region.
• Erhvervshus MidtjyllandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilkeborg Business works with Erhvervshus Midtjylland (Business House Midtjylland) as part of the national business support system. Startups receiving guidance through the association's programs are registered in a shared system with Erhvervshus Midtjylland. The partnership provides access to regional and national business development programs.
• Handel SilkeborgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHandel Silkeborg is a local trade and commerce association partnered with Silkeborg Business. Anette Raaby from Handel Silkeborg serves on the Board of Silkeborg Business, representing the retail/commercial sector. The partnership supports joint advocacy for commercial businesses in Silkeborg.
• Dansk Industri (DI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDansk Industri (Danish Industry Association) co-organized the Green Business Sommertræf 2025 with Silkeborg Business at Gothenborg, bringing together business leaders, ESG professionals, and politicians. DI is a key national partner for the Green Business network and sustainability programming.
• Dansk Byggeri SilkeborgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDansk Byggeri (Danish Construction Association) Silkeborg is listed as a partner of Silkeborg Business, collaborating on initiatives related to the construction and trades sector, including apprentice recognition and workforce development.
• Kjellerup Handel & ErhvervminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal commerce and business association in Kjellerup (within Silkeborg Municipality) that collaborates with Silkeborg Business on extending the association's reach to businesses in the Kjellerup area.
• Knudlund ErhvervminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKnudlund Erhverv (local business association) is a partner in extending Silkeborg Business services to the Knudlund area of Silkeborg Municipality.
• Ans Erhvervs- og HandelsstandsforeningminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAns Commerce and Trade Association is a local partner extending Silkeborg Business coverage to the Ans area within Silkeborg Municipality.
• Ferskvandscentret ErhvervsparkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFerskvandscentret (Freshwater Centre) hosts the G-kraft startup incubator and co-working space (Building O, Vejlsøvej 51) in its business park. This is a key infrastructure partnership enabling the association's startup support services. The G-kraft community includes more than 40 companies.
• Erhverv AarhusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErhverv Aarhus collaborates with Silkeborg Business on MentorNetværk and jobcrawl programs, bringing recently graduated jobseekers into contact with businesses in the Silkeborg area for mentorship and employment pathways.
• Silkeborg GymnasiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilkeborg Gymnasium (upper secondary school) collaborates with Silkeborg Business on providing live music at Drewsen Award Show and participates in youth entrepreneurship outreach programs.
• EY (Ernst & Young)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEY co-organized the Green Business Kick Off 2026 with Silkeborg Business and Jyske Bank, contributing expertise on ESG, sustainability reporting, climate risks, and green finance for the network's 100 participants.
• DeloittemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeloitte co-organized the Green Business Sommertræf 2026 with Silkeborg Business, DI, and UN Global Compact Network Denmark, contributing expertise on geopolitics, green transition, and business resilience.
• UN Global Compact Network DenmarkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN Global Compact Network Denmark co-organized the Green Business Sommertræf 2026 with Silkeborg Business, contributing ESG and sustainability expertise to the event.
• College360minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollege360 (vocational education institution) partners with Silkeborg Business on entrepreneurship education and outreach to students, including the partnership that enabled entrepreneur Villads to access Silkeborg Business' startup environment during his HHX studies.
• Erhvervsakademi Dania SilkeborgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErhvervsakademi Dania (vocational academy) is represented in the Repræsentantskab of Silkeborg Business and collaborates on education and talent development initiatives.
• SaltenhøjminorOthersSaltenhøj venue hosted the Green Business Sommertræf 2026 with 100 participants, providing a scenic natural setting for the event focused on green business and sustainability.
• Bilernes HusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilernes Hus (Car House) hosted the Miniskills 2026 event (800 students) and the Borgmesterhåndtryk ceremony, collaborating with Silkeborg Business on youth outreach and vocational training promotion.
• Silkeborg UngdomsskoleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilkeborg Ungdomsskole (youth school) co-organized Miniskills 2026 with Silkeborg Business, bringing together 800 students from 7th grade to explore trades and vocational careers.
• Henning Mortensen A/SminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHenning Mortensen A/S hosted the Borgmesterhåndtryk ceremony for newly qualified apprentices and participated in Miniskills 2026, contributing to the association's workforce development initiatives.
• Vejlsøhus Hotel & KonferencecenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVejlsøhus Hotel & Konferencecenter participated in Miniskills 2026 and the Borgmesterhåndtryk ceremony, supporting the association's apprentice and workforce recognition initiatives.
• GothenborgminorOthersGothenborg venue hosted the Green Business Sommertræf 2025, providing the setting for an event with presentations from VELUX, HydraSpecma, Bestseller, and ARMINOX on sustainability and green transition.
• Jysk MusikteatercoreOthersJysk Musikteater (Papirfabrikken 24, 8600 Silkeborg) hosts the Drewsen Award Show annually, serving as the venue for Silkeborg's largest business celebration.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Copenhagen Capacity: Copenhagen-focused business promotion and networking organization. Shares the playbook of combining member companies, events, and public-private partnership, but operates in a different geography with a more international and investment-attraction lens.

Broad incumbents

• Dansk Erhverv: National Danish trade and service industry association. Operates a wider advocacy, advisory, and event portfolio than Silkeborg Business and represents a competitive threat to mid-market members seeking broader reach.
• Dansk Industri (DI): Denmark's national industry association, far larger and broader than Silkeborg Business. DI already co-organizes Silkeborg's Green Business Sommertræf, positioning it as a higher-tier incumbent that could absorb members seeking cross-regional services.

Direct peers

• Erhverv Randers: Danish regional business association comparable in scale and structure. Silkeborg Business's Erhvervschef Peter Fabricius previously worked at Erhverv Randers, underscoring the direct operational comparability of the two associations.
• Erhverv Aarhus: Regional business association serving the Aarhus area with a similar membership model, networking groups, events, and entrepreneur support programs. Silkeborg Business already collaborates with Erhverv Aarhus on MentorNetværk and jobcrawl, evidencing structural similarity.

Others

• Erhvervshus Midtjylland: Regional business development house funded under the Danish national entrepreneur support system. Silkeborg Business already operates as an on-the-ground partner that feeds startups into Erhvervshus Midtjylland's shared CRM and programs.
• Vækstfonden: Danish state growth fund providing capital and co-investment to Danish SMEs. Adjacent rather than directly competitive, but ecosystem-relevant given Silkeborg Business's 'Midler til vækst' function channels members to funding schemes Vækstfonden administers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@erhvervsilkeborg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/silkeborgbusiness

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

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 Silkeborg Business