A new study reveals that a MADE research partnership of researchers, tech experts, and businesses is generating more than DKK 1.5Bn DKK (EUR 200M) in revenue for Danish manufacturing.
Venkata Nadimpalli vinder 1.-præmien ved Otto Mønsteds Fondens MADE Award 2020. Her står han ved siden af den unikke 3D-printer, som han har bygget på DTU.You may have heard of China’s MIC2025 or the U.S. CHIPS & Science Act to boost national manufacturing, and while
Denmark is not investing hundreds of billions, since 2014 we have had a special programme in the works.
Researchers, tech experts and businesses are developing new business models, pioneering robotics, AI models and much more besides in partnership with MADE. This alliance has secured Innovation Fund Denmark investment under various platform titles, the most recent being MADE FAST.
The result of more than a decade of collaboration and partnership within MADE is cutting-edge technology and DKK billions in revenue for Danish industry.
In a survey, seven companies responded that the new technologies and techniques developed over the past four years as part of MADE FAST will net them DKK 479M (EUR 65M). And this is the high figure reported by only the first 7 of the total of 67 partnering companies.
This is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the long-term return on investment.
Nigel Edmondsen, CEO of MADE
‘This is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the long-term return on investment. The companies will be continuing to advance what they have developed, but they are seeing the colossal potential it holds – as do I. We’re all expecting significantly higher returns over the long term,’ says Nigel Edmondson, CEO of MADE.
Looking back, a total of 28 businesses previously (2019 and 2021) estimated the value of the research partnership for their bottom line. Compounded with the figures they reported in the latest survey, this particular set of manufacturing businesses puts the bottom-line value to them at a total of DKK 1.655Bn (EUR 221M).
‘The partnership with MADE has created an effective gameboard for knowledge sharing in developing novel technologies and business models. The platform generates real value for Danish industry here and now while paving the way for greener, more competitive manufacturing going forward,’ says Cecilie Brøkner, CEO of Innovation Fund Denmark, the largest single investor in the MADE platform with a total investment of DKK 261 million (EUR 35M) over the past decade.
Since its launch, the research partnership has grown from 27 participating business to the current 67.
‘We’ve gradually developed an ecosystem and a partnering model with strong links and high-level trust among SMEs, Research Technology Organisations (RTOs) and academia. This makes us more competitive, and, more importantly, it’s difficult to copy or imitate. Meanwhile, it allows large and small businesses to gain inspiration from one another,’ says Edmondson, citing two examples from the MADE partnership:
‘Novo Nordisk inspired Danfoss with their ReMed™ take-back programme for recycling insulin pen devices, while a MADE researcher at pump manufacturer Grundfos transferred their modularisation expertise to a project at Aasted where it was applied to a new business model.’
Aasted’s business model, which makes machinery for the chocolate, bakery and confectionery industries, involves machine leasing plus repairs, known as a Product Service System, as opposed to selling machinery that is later scrapped. In an article on the project, Henrik Heitmann, CTO at Aasted, states that the potential for the new Product Service System is in the region of DKK 100 million in revenue per annum.
The achievements by companies like Aasted are transferred within MADE’s research partnership, which over the next three to four years will continue under the name MADE REACT.
‘Europe’s urgent need to strengthen its competitiveness makes innovation capacity in our manufacturing sector crucial. MADE has proved its worth as a powerful innovation platform, and we see huge potential in continuing the efforts through MADE REACT for the benefit of Danish business and industry and, ultimately, for European sovereignty,’ says Brøkner.
MADE’s research partnership
Launched in 2014, the MADE research partnership is framed by research platforms on which MADE, partnering with Danish industry, has defined a series of strategic initiatives. The previous platforms were MADE SPIR, MADE Digital and MADE FAST.
MADE FAST, which was concluded at the end of 2024, included 5 higher education institutions, 67 companies, 3 RTOs and 4 other knowledge-provider organisations.
The businesses’ total investment was returned almost 17.5 times over.
Innovation Fund Denmark was the largest single investor in MADE FAST with DKK 79.8M (EUR 10.7M) and the project budget totalled DKK 265M (EUR 35.5M).
Learn more about MADE FAST business cases and results here and in the catalogue below (in Danish).
The current research platform is entitled MADE REACT and will continue until the end of 2027.
