Delphinus Venture Capital, an Aarhus-based evergreen investment fund, has raised €80 million to finance research-driven startups in East and Central Jutland. Established by the Aarhus University Research Foundation, HEARTLAND, Norlys, and Salling Group, the fund will invest from pre-seed through scale-up stages, with a focus on companies emerging from academic and research environments. Newly appointed CEO Mathias Brink Lorenz, who previously worked at the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund, said the structure allows for longer-term commitments than typical venture funds. The initiative is intended to strengthen the regional innovation ecosystem, support commercialisation of research, and provide sustained backing for knowledge-based companies.
Delphinus Venture Capital focuses on supporting research-driven startups and knowledge-based companies. The fund invests across the full startup lifecycle, from early-stage ventures to scaling businesses, with an emphasis on long-term development rather than short-term returns. Established through a partnership between the Aarhus University Research Foundation, HEARTLAND, Norlys, and Salling Group, Delphinus aims to strengthen connections between academic research, industry, and capital in East and Central Jutland. Its operations are closely aligned with regional research environments, including Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, to facilitate the translation of research into commercially viable solutions.
The four founding partners recently appointed Mathias Brink Lorenz as the CEO of the new fund.
Mathias Brink Lorenz emphasises that the Danish venture capital scene has evolved significantly in recent years, with increasing interest from international funds – especially in knowledge-based and technology-driven companies. He’s delighted that the new fund will provide the region with an investor to support companies through their entire start-up journey.
“Innovation takes time, courage and capital. Unlike traditional venture funds, Delphinus has been intentionally set up with a structure that enables long-term commitment and flexibility in our investments. We can and will participate as an investor from the very early stages through to the late growth stage. This is how we can make a real difference for the companies we invest in,” he says.
Lorenz brings with him international venture capital experience, having most recently served as Investment Director at the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund in Germany. In this role, he focused on identifying and executing investments in research-intensive startups across Europe.
Brian Bech Nielsen, chair of the Aarhus University Research Foundation board and rector of Aarhus University, describes the creation of the new fund as a quantum leap in the university’s commitment to supporting the development of new research-intensive companies.
“This unique partnership being created in our region will ensure that research ideas are transformed into sustainable, commercially viable companies. Speaking for the university, I’m particularly excited that this major backing will give even more researchers the chance to finance their entrepreneurial ideas. Both the bold, early-stage ideas undergoing proof-of-concept testing and the proven solutions closer to market launch. With this support, AU’s researchers will be even better equipped to drive the development of our society that is so important, and we at the Aarhus University Research Foundation are thrilled to be able to support this vital task,” says Nielsen.
Alongside its close connection to Aarhus University, the fund’s other partners – three of the region’s leading companies – bring a broader, business-oriented perspective on innovation and growth, both locally and across Denmark. They see Delphinus Venture Capital as a catalyst for the next generation of entrepreneurial talent.
Lise Kaae, CEO of HEARTLAND: “At HEARTLAND, we are proud to support the creation of Delphinus. We believe it has great potential to improve access to long-term, locally anchored financing for promising, high-growth companies. This is an important ambition that we look forward to pursuing – and actively contributing to – in the years ahead.”
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Read the orginal article: https://arcticstartup.com/delphinus-venture-capital-raises-e80-million/
