It is now easier and cheaper to be a spinout company
From January 2026, all Danish universities will implement joint standard contracts for researchers wishing to establish a research based company – a so called spinout.
As a follow‑up to the government’s task force on increased knowledge and technology transfer, and the broad political agreement of 26 January 2026 to implement its recommendations, the Danish universities are taking an important collective step to strengthen the transition from research to societal impact and commercialisation.
The new standard contracts are a key element of the political agreement and apply across all universities. Until now, terms and processes have varied, which can make the process challenging at a time when researchers are focused on bringing their research‑based invention to life in society. The process will now become significantly simpler, easier, faster – and cheaper.
“With the new national standard contracts, we now offer all researchers the same fair terms and make the process simpler and faster for everyone. This reduces uncertainty for our entrepreneurs and allows them to focus on their product and company. We also make it cheaper and more transparent,” says Rector David Dreyer Lassen.
Developed in Collaboration with Industry and the Entrepreneurship Community
The new standard licence contracts have been developed in close collaboration between the universities and representatives from the entrepreneurship community and industry organisations. They build on best practices and industry standards from both Denmark and abroad.
This is the first time standard contracts have been created in this area, and the first time that universities and industry have formally agreed to use a shared framework in practice. Universities are now considering whether these standards should be extended to areas beyond spinouts. This work will continue in collaboration with the original working group of representatives from the entrepreneurship community and industry organisations.
Researchers who wish to turn their research into a new technology or company will have access to simple, publicly available contract models, from which founders may choose. Regardless of which model is chosen, there are no upfront costs, and overall costs have been reduced.
A comprehensive and user‑friendly guideline has been developed alongside the contracts, designed to provide an overview and guide researchers through the agreement structures as easily as possible.
“The 2024 Draghi Report made it clear that Europe is falling behind on innovation. The political agreement on strengthening knowledge and technology transfer – and the new standard contracts – are our response to closing the innovation gap. We are acting quickly on the political ambition to make Denmark and Europe better and faster at commercialising research,” says David Dreyer Lassen, Rector of the University of Copenhagen, adding:
“We are now creating a more streamlined agreement framework for universities, researchers and entrepreneurs, taking an important step toward strengthening Denmark’s innovative capacity even further. We will continue to work to create even better conditions for establishing more research‑based companies.”
Task Force on Strengthened Knowledge and Technology Transfer
The initiative stems from the recommendations of the government’s Taskforce for Strengthened Knowledge and Technology Transfer, which in the November 2025 report “A significant boost to knowledge‑based innovation and entrepreneurship in Denmark” highlighted the need for more uniform and predictable conditions for entrepreneurs. The task force consisted of representatives from ministries, industry, foundations and universities.
On 26 January 2026, the government entered into a broad political agreement to implement the task force’s recommendations, and the standard contracts are a central element in this agreement.
- Find the new contracts here: Licence Agreements for Your Spinout
- Read the Taskforce report here (Danish): Mere forskning skal omsættes til iværksætteri og innovative løsninger — Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriet
- Read the political agreement here (Danish): Ny aftale baner vejen for, at mere forskning kan omsættes til innovation og iværksætteri — Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriet