Danish non-profit startup and innovation conference organiser TechBBQ has secured DKK4 million (US$620,000) in funding from the Novo Nordisk Foundation to establish a permanent platform connecting Nordic university startups, investors and corporations with technology talent and innovation ecosystems across Africa and India.
‎The three-year grant will support the launch of the Nordic-Africa Innovation Summit and the Nordic-India Innovation Summit, both of which will be integrated into TechBBQ’s annual conference programme.
‎The initiative is designed to foster investment opportunities, commercial partnerships and deeper technological collaboration between the regions.
‎The funding comes at a time when Europe is seeking to strengthen economic and technological ties with Africa and India, driven by concerns over global competitiveness, access to skilled talent and the need to broaden strategic partnerships beyond traditional markets.
‎‎Through the programme, African startups will gain greater access to Nordic investors, research institutions and corporate networks.
According to Dealroom, the Nordic startup ecosystem attracted US$7.7 billion in venture capital funding in 2025 and is projected to surpass US$9 billion in 2026.
‎Despite its relatively small population, the Nordic region is home to more than 100 unicorn companies and accounts for approximately 12 per cent of all venture capital investment in Europe.
‎‎TechBBQ Chief Executive Officer Avnit Singh said the funding would enable the organisation to create a more structured and sustainable framework for collaboration between Nordic, African and Indian innovation ecosystems, unlocking significant opportunities for growth and partnership.
‎The announcement follows TechBBQ’s participation in Bharat Innovates 2026, a global innovation initiative launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Nice, France, aimed at strengthening international entrepreneurship and innovation networks.
‎TechBBQ noted that the grant would help transform its existing pilot projects into a permanent platform centred on three priority sectors identified by the Novo Nordisk Foundation: life sciences, deep technology and artificial intelligence, and climate and agricultural technology.
‎The programme is scheduled to run from August 2026 to December 2028 and will operate alongside TechBBQ’s flagship annual conference at Copenhagen’s Bella Centre.
‎‎Chief Strategy Officer Thomas Ebdrup said opportunities for joint innovation, investment and market expansion between the Nordic region, Africa and India had never been greater, highlighting the growing potential for cross-border collaboration.
‎‎As part of the funding agreement, the initiative must also meet equitable-access requirements set by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. This means that knowledge generated through the programme should be shared openly where possible, while innovations developed under the initiative should remain accessible and affordable to low- and middle-income countries.
