After a record year, Tivoli Copenhagen commits to historic investment levels
After a record year, Tivoli commits to historic investment levels
🇩🇰 Du finder den danske version af denne artikel her.
Tivoli has delivered the strongest financial performance in its history. Following a highly successful Halloween programme and a festive season that saw December become the most profitable month ever recorded, the Copenhagen landmark has upgraded its expectations for 2025.
Visitor numbers reached 4.3 million – the highest level since the pandemic – and revenue is now expected to amount to approximately €181m, with profit before tax forecast at around €21m. This represents a clear upgrade from earlier projections of roughly €178m in revenue and €19.5m in profit, underscoring a year marked by strong demand, disciplined cost control and sustained momentum across seasons.
Tivoli makes historic investments to secure its future
“We expect this fiscal year to close in the black”
Alongside record-breaking financial results, Tivoli has maintained an unprecedented level of investment. In 2025, the park committed nearly €27m to projects including maintenance, building upgrades, the creation of a new themed area in the former Asia zone, and seasonal attractions designed to elevate the visitor experience and strengthen Tivoli’s long-term competitiveness.
Susanne Mørch Koch, Tivoli’s CEO, comments:
“The results for 2025 are very satisfying and reflect strong commercial performance combined with disciplined cost management. What is particularly positive is that we have been able to deliver a solid financial result while maintaining a high level of investment in Tivoli’s development. This provides a robust foundation for the years ahead, where we will continue to invest purposefully in the park’s quality, relevance, and long-term sustainability.”
International visitors remain a key driver of growth. In 2025, 34% of guests came from abroad, with notable increases from the United States and Sweden, while numbers from Norway and Germany saw a slight decline.
Looking ahead to 2026, Tivoli expects an activity level comparable to 2025, with revenue projected at around €188m and profit before tax at approximately €19.5m. As Susanne emphasizes, it is not just about volume: how guests experience Tivoli across seasons, generations, and purposes remains central to the park’s ambitions.
As she has highlighted previously, Tivoli seeks to enhance experiences without over-reliance on screens or gamified “Pokémon-style” solutions, keeping the focus on immersive, authentic engagement. Read here.
Susanne Mørch Koch, CEO Tivoli
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A new era for ARKK Copenhagen: Growth & community
A new era for ARKK Copenhagen: Growth, community, and profitability
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Last year, we reported that Danish sneaker brand ARKK Copenhagen had secured increased backing from Friheden Invest, giving the company the means to accelerate its ambitions while sharpening its strategic focus.
Since then, the brand has undertaken a series of strategic initiatives. Most recently, ARKK Copenhagen unveiled ARKK Active, a performance-driven collection marking its first step beyond footwear into a broader sportswear offering. The debut collection was developed in collaboration with the popular running club, HAV Runners.
“We are now seeing the payoff from the product and branding investments we made last year”
Kasper Høj Rasmussen, CEO & Founder, ARKK Copenhagen
Beyond performance, ARKK Copenhagen has also launched an apparel collection in close collaboration with Zalando. The collection has seen remarkable growth, and the brand is now opening it up to additional retailers.
At the same time, ARKK Copenhagen has relocated its headquarters to centrally located, ground-floor premises in Copenhagen, where it plans to host a series of community events.
The brand has also made several long-term strategic decisions. The flagship store on Strøget has been closed, and write-offs have been undertaken to give the company greater flexibility for proactive investments going forward. This contributed to a net loss of just under DKK 14 million in the last financial year.
Yet according to Kasper Rasmussen, CEO & Founder, the company is already on the right track:
“We expect to end this financial year in the black. It was crucial for us to tidy things up properly. There is real momentum building that we intend to ride.
This also means strengthening our e-commerce team and launching ARKK Lab, which we also operate in Amsterdam and China, with a focus on product development.
The product and branding investments we made last year are finally paying off. More specifically, we are seeing inbound interest far higher than before, and it is clear that all these initiatives are beginning to bear fruit.”
“We expect to close this financial year in the black”
Why was this necessary?
“The store had become something of a ‘ball and chain’ for us since the pandemic. We never really managed to activate it properly, but we are now doing so from our headquarters instead.
We got the first taste of this last weekend, when 250 runners turned up for our ARKK Active launch. One thing was the joy of starting the weekend with so many amazing people, but it also showed us just how much it drives online engagement,” says Kasper Rasmussen.
He also explains that, after ten years, ARKK has relocated its warehouse to a far more flexible setup. While this has incurred some short-term costs, it now gives the brand greater agility, enabling faster responses, more adaptable production, and optimised logistics.
Readers can learn more about ARKK Copenhagen during the upcoming fashion week.
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Gucci enters a new era with Demna’s first collection
Gucci enters a new era with Demna’s first collection
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Last week, fashion house Gucci unveiled its highly anticipated campaign La Famiglia.
A new collection from one of the world’s most historic and influential houses is one thing – but La Famiglia signals the start of a new era for Gucci.
The campaign marks the first time Demna Gvasalia, known simply as Demna, reveals his initial creative vision as the brand’s new Artistic Director.
“They will together lead Gucci into a new era of success”
Demna, Gucci
Demna joined Gucci from Balenciaga in 2025, taking on the role of Artistic Director.
At the time, Stefano Cantino, CEO of Gucci, said:
“I have always admired Demna’s creative approach, which is both unique and powerful. His ability to honor a brand’s iconic heritage while embracing a modern sensibility is extraordinary. With Gucci’s strengthened foundations as a springboard, Demna will guide the house toward renewed fashion authority and enduring cultural relevance.”
Meanwhile, Francesca Bellettini, Deputy CEO of Kering responsible for Brand Development, raised expectations further:
“I look forward to the collaboration between Demna and Stefano as they lead Gucci into a new era of success.”
And that era begins now with La Famiglia.
"Gucci remains one of the most important houses in Kering’s portfolio"
The campaign can be read as an exploration of the house’s archives, visual codes, and historical identities, filtered through Demna’s perspective.
Rather than a single narrative or a definitive collection, Gucci presents a series of characters and wardrobes that together form a portrait of the house.
The photographer is American artist Catherine Opie, whose images depict a collective of personalities, each representing different facets of what Gucci describes as the house’s distinctive “Gucciness.”
There is no central protagonist; instead, it is attitude, gesture, styling, and presence that bind the story together – just as much as the clothing itself. The narrative revolves around identity, belonging, and character, all unified under the concept of La Famiglia.
Family is understood broadly: as a community of differences, tied together by shared references and aesthetic codes. At the same time, La Famiglia should be seen in a wider context. Gucci remains one of the most important houses in Kering’s portfolio, and expectations for Demna are high after a period of both creative and commercial recovery.
The campaign is therefore not a final definition of the future, but a deliberate first step.
The La Famiglia collection will be available in Gucci stores worldwide and on gucci.com from January 8.
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From Copenhagen to Global Stars’ Instagram Feeds
From Copenhagen to Global Stars’ Instagram Feeds
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KSI, Drake and TJ Edwards – what do they have in common?
Over the course of just a few days, the Danish fashion brand Les Deux has appeared on a number of high-profile international figures.
The brand has been widely exposed across Instagram, including on Drake’s account with its 142 million followers, as well as through KSI, Chicago Bears player TJ Edwards and cricketer Shubman Gill.
Gill, in particular, is regarded as one of the most promising young batters in world cricket today, with close to 18 million followers of his own.
The intersection of sport, music and cultural figures wearing Les Deux has long been one of the brand’s key growth drivers. Unlike many fashion brands, however, paid exposure has never been part of its strategy.
According to our information, that remains the case here. The appearances have been entirely organic, with no outreach from the brand itself. No campaign. No sponsorship.
Quantifying the value is difficult, but a single image featuring a Les Deux cap has already attracted more than one million likes, alongside extensive engagement in the comments.
The impact is undeniable when content reaches millions of followers through some of the world’s most recognisable names.
"All exposure has been entirely organic"
Vis dette opslag på Instagram
Vis dette opslag på Instagram
One of many developments from Les Deux
This is just one of several developments surrounding Les Deux at the moment, as the brand looks ahead to another year of growth and strong results.
On its home turf, Les Deux recently extended its partnership with F.C. Copenhagen, which faces two major Champions League fixtures this January: a home match against Italian champions Napoli, followed by an away game against the European powerhouse FC Barcelona.
Meanwhile, the brand has signalled further expansion in the UK and opened a new flagship store in Paris, strengthening its presence on international markets. (Read more about the UK here & learn more about Paris here.)
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Copenhagen Iconic Venue and Danish Startup Reinvent the Cloakroom
Copenhagen Iconic Venue and Danish Startup Reinvent the Cloakroom
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One is one of Copenhagen’s most iconic nightlife venues. The other is an ambitious Danish tech company, focused on solving a problem that has existed for decades.
Søpavillonen has partnered with Keypitt™ to digitize its cloakroom, replacing the traditional paper ticket with a personal, digital KeyPass. Guests set it up once and can store it in their digital wallet—no app required.
While the cloakroom might seem like a small detail, it is here that the pace truly picks up. According to Søpavillonen, the move isn’t about technology for technology’s sake—it’s about flow, safety, and creating a better working environment.
"We’ve spent more than 300 hours testing and developing the system alongside industry professionals”
Co-founder Karla Pitt Winther, Keypitt™
The cloakroom is a key touchpoint for our guests
Jon Vanggaard Thomsen, owner and partner at Søpavillonen, explains:
“The cloakroom is a key touchpoint for our guests, especially on busy nights. With Keypitt™, we can reduce queues, improve safety, and offer a better experience for both guests and staff. It’s a simple, yet significant upgrade to a long-standing function.”
Keypitt™, the provider behind the system, is a Danish tech company that develops digital cloakroom solutions for nightlife venues, concert halls, conference centres, and arenas.
Tests from other venues suggest that throughput can be increased significantly, while the number of lost items is reduced. If something is left behind, the owner can be easily contacted via the phone number linked to their digital KeyPass.
Earlier this year, the company also managed the cloakroom at TECHBBQ, serving over 10,000 guests.
Co-founder Karla Pitt Winther adds:
“The cloakroom has remained virtually unchanged for over a century. We’ve spent more than 300 hours testing and developing the system alongside industry professionals to create a solution that truly improves flow and adds value for guests, staff, and venues alike.”
She continues that the implementation at Søpavillonen is part of a broader trend, where cultural and nightlife venues are increasingly digitizing operational functions—not to change the atmosphere, but to remove the small friction points that can otherwise weigh heavily on the experience.
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Bjarke Just Nielsen is reshaping Copenhagen’s restaurant scene
Bjarke Just Nielsen is reshaping Copenhagen’s restaurant scene
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"I have never been afraid of failure if I could see that I had done my best"
Bjarke Just Nielsen
Facts about the Norrlyst Group
The Norrlyst Group has grown from one to 17 restaurants in just six years. In June 2025, the group and Restaurant Udtryk earned their first Michelin star only 41 days after opening. Most recently, Norrlyst opened Lille Mølle.
Beyond its restaurants, the group also operates three IT platforms and a production facility.
Bjarke, if we rewind the clock, was it written in the stars that you would one day build your own company?
“It’s always interesting to look back. I never had a master plan. My first proper job was at Færgekroen in Tivoli when I was 14 or 15, and at the time I was simply happy to have work at all. I’d sent out countless applications.
That’s where I first caught the service bug. It led me to study Business Administration with a focus on Service Economics, followed by a master’s degree in Supply Chain Management. In many ways, that academic path is also what landed me, straight after my studies, in a suit and tie.”
After CBS, Bjarke joined Novo Nordisk’s Talent Track and was subsequently accepted into Ørsted’s graduate program, a highly selective process with over 8,000 applicants and only about 20 making it through.
Bjarke also reflects that rather than constantly switching jobs because he felt they weren’t the right fit, he had to look inward and realize that it was more likely him who didn’t fit the companies, rather than the other way around.
Bjarke continues:
“I’ve never been afraid of failure, as long as I knew I had given my best. I love creating and making things succeed, and many of my victories in life have been pure work victories. I’m rarely the most talented person in the room from the start, but I often manage to come out ahead. That’s why I think it was always in the cards for me to become an entrepreneur.
I have a strong work ethic, a high tolerance for risk, and I feel lucky to be able to manage my own schedule. It has been an enormous privilege, especially after starting my own family. I love being able to drop the kids off at nine and pick them up again at three. So maybe the answer to your question is a resounding yes.”
"To be honest, there was no grand plan from the start"
The Norrlyst Group has just turned five. How do you remember the early days, and what was the plan?
“To be honest, there wasn’t a grand plan. I had simply decided that I no longer wanted to sit in a suit. We started without spreadsheets or elaborate concepts. It’s actually quite the opposite of how we run the business today. And yet, somehow it worked.
We quickly learned to listen to our customers, take notes, and put our ideas into a system. Looking back, that was when we first started working with data, which today forms the foundation of the group.”
“My first head chef was Thilde Gilling, known in the industry as the Smørrebrød Queen, so we started with smørrebrød. Later, Emil Eshardt-Nielsen joined the team. He had experience from Søllerød Kro, Restaurant AOC, and Winterspring, and he helped shape much of the direction we follow today. Emil remains one of my closest collaborators and now serves as CPO.”
“And how do I remember that time? It moved fast. I was a builder, waiter, restaurant manager, and problem solver all at once. If we got feedback on poor acoustics on a Monday, we’d install a new acoustic ceiling by Tuesday. If a toilet was blocked, I fixed it. Work has never intimidated me, and I’ve always known that you don’t need a perfect plan from the start to reach your goal.”
“Corona hit shortly after we opened, so in a way, we were almost born as an agile company, constantly having to adapt to the situation at hand.”
Data is key: "Trust the algorithm"
Speaking of data, FreeTable is a chapter of its own. What inspired you to create it, and how does it connect to Norrlyst?
“The core idea behind FreeTable was to revolutionize how people book tables at restaurants, just as we’ve seen happen in many other sectors of the experience economy. At the same time, the project builds on our understanding and collection of data.”
“We wanted to bring the entire restaurant industry along, make it more automated, and create a win-win for both restaurants and guests. Anyone can use the platform. It’s an additional booking system, but the real goal is the product itself—our own algorithm, which has cost millions to develop.”
“It’s a formula that can change the way we think about dining out, both for guests and restaurateurs. It’s about being present, being your own best friend, and trusting the algorithm.”
“It has already given us a stable baseline, with our restaurants running safely at 10–12 percent EBITDA. Some might call it boring, but predictability and stability are exactly what the industry needs. Hotels and airlines are far ahead of us with dynamic pricing, and I see that as a huge opportunity for the restaurant world. Price optimization can mean many things, from menus to bookings, and we believe this is the path the industry should take.”
In the new year, you can read an article on FreeTable and its ambitions on dontt.dk, where Bjarke offers a unique insight into a massive dataset.
"I still love my work and look forward to every day I go into the office"
How does your typical day look today?
“I still love my work and look forward to every day at the office. But family is, of course, important, with two young children at home. I make it a priority to drop off and pick up my kids, and I’ve moved into a more strategic role within the group, which gives me that freedom.
I’m no longer involved in day-to-day operations, so I can think further ahead and focus on development. Some of my closest friends are also part of the company, so work and social life often blend together.”
What drives you personally?
“I’m driven by the passion to see how far we can take this. It’s still exciting to challenge the IT side, look at acquisitions, and explore new directions.
I work with many small milestones. It could be a Michelin star, employee satisfaction, or new concepts. That’s what motivates me. The most important thing is that we give our best and don’t stagnate in our development.”
Claus Meyer has been a huge inspiration
Who inspires you?
“I’ve never been the type to have lots of idols or people I follow religiously. But Claus Meyer has been a huge inspiration. He has left a clear mark on the industry and changed things ahead of his time.
We still celebrate many of the initiatives he set in motion. I’ve read his biography, which says something, because I rarely read books. I much prefer listening.
In general, I’m very focused and keep my nose in my own business. I’m not someone who is constantly updated on media or trends. I put my energy into our own journey.”
How do you see Norrlyst in five years?
“We approach strategy very differently today, so of course there are many plans. But I still don’t think you can plan that far ahead. The last five years have shown that anything can happen.
That’s why we build the company to be able to adapt quickly. As you reach a certain size, decisions take longer, but flexibility remains a key principle. We need to be ready for the unpredictable while holding on to the stable foundation we’ve built.”
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Billi Bi recruits global ECCO executive
Billi Bi recruits global ECCO executive
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Next year, Danish footwear brand Billi Bi will celebrate its 90th anniversary, if one counts the founding of its parent company, Fransi, in 1936 by the grandparents of current owner Carsten Friis. Billi Bi itself was launched in 1993, carrying forward a legacy of craftsmanship and design.
The name, delightfully, comes from Friis’ favourite dish: the French mussel soup Billi Bi, first served at the legendary Parisian restaurant Maxim’s in the 1930s, a story as charming as it is tangential to the shoes themselves.
“Billi Bi is built on a solid foundation”
Despite its long history, Billi Bi shows no signs of slowing down. With ambitions to expand its presence on the international stage, the company is strengthening its leadership team.
Justin Daughrity-Winther joins the brand in a newly created role as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), taking responsibility for refining Billi Bi’s commercial strategy and ensuring a seamless dialogue between brand identity, collections, and distribution. Daughrity-Winther brings over a decade of international experience in footwear, most recently serving as Global Vice President of Brand at ECCO.
“Billi Bi is built on a strong foundation and already experiencing healthy growth,” says Carsten Friis, CEO and owner. “Bringing Justin on board allows us to further accelerate this development, both across the Nordics and internationally. His strategic vision and commercial expertise align perfectly with the direction we want to take the brand.”
With this appointment, Billi Bi signals its intent to marry its rich heritage with a forward-looking strategy, embracing new markets and audiences while staying true to the craftsmanship and quality that have defined the brand for nearly three decades.
Carsten Friis, CEO and owner
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23-year-old Gustav built his own AI tool! 4 months later, hotels rely on it daily
23-year-old Gustav built his own AI tool! 4 months later, hotels rely on it daily
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The idea for Opally didn’t emerge in a boardroom or at an innovation workshop. It was born in a hotel reception on Bornholm, and went live just nine days later.
Behind the AI tool is Danish 23-year-old Gustav Søgård. He studies cand.merc.(it.) at Copenhagen Business School and simultaneously works at Understory, which recently raised €12 million.
Yet he still found the time to build a tool that now helps hotels spend less time on emails and more time with the guests in front of them. Opally started as a solution for Stammershalle Badehotel in the summer, and today around a dozen hotels are already on board – with more joining soon.
Impressive, by any measure.
Here, Gustav shares his story, explaining the idea, his motivation, and how technology, paradoxically, can create more human jobs.
"I’m motivated by creating solutions that have a real impact on everyday life."
Gustav Søgård, Founder, Opally
Gustav, let’s get this straight! How would you explain Opally in 15 seconds to a hotel receptionist who has never used AI?
“I usually tell people to imagine having an extra colleague who knows all the answers to their guests’ questions, with full access to the hotel’s data.
Opally handles the ‘boring’ work and drafts emails based on guest inquiries, following the hotel’s preferred tone and style.
The receptionist only needs to check that everything looks correct and hit send. It’s not about replacing the front desk, but about reducing busywork so they can focus on the guests in the lobby.”
"Bring the product to life in the real world as fast as possible"
How did the idea for Opally come about?
“It all started in the summer of 2025 at Stammershalle Badehotel, where my mother works. I saw how much time the front desk spent answering the same types of emails over and over again, and I realized we could fairly easily build a solution that used data from their own systems to make it smarter.
The real spark came on July 8th at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, on my way home from a Y Combinator meetup with 800 other young startup enthusiasts. I was buzzing from the energy there, opened my laptop, and wrote the very first line of code right at the gate.”
How quickly did you implement it at Stammershalle?
“It happened fast. By July 17th – just nine days after I started coding in the airport – Stammershalle was already using the first version. It was a very simple version back then, but that’s the whole philosophy behind Opally: get the product out into the real world as quickly as possible so we can learn from it. The tight feedback loop between the code and the reception staff has been crucial from day one.”
"Technology has always been a passion and an area of interest for me."
When did you realize that this wasn’t just a Stammershalle project, but something that could grow bigger?
“When I discovered how simple it actually was to swap out the ‘engine.’ I could take the system from Stammershalle and connect it to other hotel systems without much hassle.
And the thought was clear: If this can save Stammershalle so many hours a week, there are definitely other hotels out there facing the exact same challenge. Why not help them too?”
And now you’ve got other hotels on board?
“Yes, as of now we’re up to around 12 hotels. But that number changes almost week by week these days. We’re still in an early stage, but interest is high, so I expect growth to be really strong over the coming months.”
You’re studying cand.merc.(it.), building Opally, and working at Understory. What drives you?
“I’m driven by solving real problems in the real world. We live in a time where AI and technology are moving fast, but I believe the counter-reaction will be that people will want fewer things and more time together physically. My mission with Opally is to support the hospitality industry in that development.
We’re not here to remove receptionists; we’re here to remove screen time so they can focus on hosting and the guests standing right in front of them.
In effect, technology can help create better, more human jobs, rather than eliminating them.”
"Bring the product to life in the real“I’m inspired by those who can seamlessly connect technology with business”
What does a good workday look like for you?
“It’s a day with a lot of variety. I love the mix of commercial work, like onboarding and demos with hotels and diving deep into building new, value-creating features for the product.
My background in cand.merc.(it.) probably explains why I want to focus on both. I don’t just want to understand the business, or just the code. The magic happens when the two come together.”
Who inspires you?
“I’m drawn to people who are able to bridge the gap between technology and business.
Jack Dorsey, from Twitter and Square, is a big inspiration for his philosophy: if you have an idea, you should hack it to life and validate it in the real world immediately.
David Heinemeier Hansson is another huge influence for me and many other young people. He also studied HA(it.) at CBS, but his ability to understand how code directly contributes to business success over 20 years with Basecamp is truly unique.
And here at home, I’m very inspired by Lasse & Lars from Understory. They’re an incredible duo who just complement each other perfectly when building large businesses.”
"If I could give one piece of advice: learn to code"
If you could give one piece of advice to young entrepreneurs with an idea, what would it be?
“Learn to code. Even at a basic level. It’s by far the best way to get an idea out of your head and into the real world. Today, you don’t need to be an expert from the start, with AI tools like Cursor and Windsurf, you can achieve a lot with just a foundational understanding.
I also see ‘systems thinking’ becoming one of the most important skills for the future. In other words, the ability to understand how complex systems interact and where you can optimize the architecture. That’s where the real value lies.”
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GANNI Founder Invests in Beauty Brand
GANNI Founder Invests in Beauty Brand
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Today, Copenhagen-born beauty brand NUORI announces a new leadership structure and investment. Danish venture studio Twelve50Five, along with GANNI founder Nicolaj Reffstrup, are joining the company to support its next phase of growth.
Twelve50Five founder Malte Kamp Videbæk will assume the role of CEO. NUORI’s founders, Jasmi and Peter Bonnén, will remain minority shareholders and, according to Malte, take on advisory roles to ensure a smooth transition while preserving the brand’s founding values.
Reffstrup will not be involved in day-to-day operations but will, as a shareholder, provide strategic insight, particularly from a global perspective. His experience in scaling GANNI into one of Scandinavia’s most influential and commercially successful fashion brands speaks directly to the expertise he brings to NUORI.
"I have admired NUORI for years"
From left: Malte Kamp Videbæk and Nicolaj Reffstrup
"This marks an exciting new chapter for NUORI"
“This marks an exciting new chapter for NUORI,” says Jasmi Bonnén, Founder of NUORI. “In this new constellation NUORI will be better positioned than ever to fulfill the global potential of the brand. I’m proud of what we have built so far and excited to see NUORI reach new heights under the stewardship of Malte, Nicolaj and the combined NUORI & Twelve50Five teams.”
“NUORI has a rare and compelling positioning in the global beauty landscape: science- forward, naturally formulated, and rooted in a strong Nordic design ethos,” says Malte Kamp Videbæk, incoming CEO of NUORI. “This deal lays the foundation for significant growth. I look forward to working closely with the team to scale the brand globally while staying true to its core values.”
“I have admired NUORI for years,” says Nicolaj Reffstrup. “The brand has a strong identity, unique authenticity and a real commitment to quality and innovation. I’m excited to support Malte, Twelve50Five, and the team as they shape NUORI’s next evolution.”
Jasmi Bonnén
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Maiken Paaske aims to connect the world’s most remarkable outliers
Maiken Paaske aims to connect the world’s most remarkable outliers
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Maiken Paaske is back as a founder, this time with Abeam, a network for “outliers.” These are the people who build extraordinary companies, shape investments, and drive innovation across borders and continents.
The platform brings together unicorn founders, top investors, and executives seeking meaningful connections, free from the noise of social media and unsolicited requests. For Maiken, it has always been about people, technology, and the opportunities that come from connecting the world’s most exceptional talent. We spoke with her about the vision behind Abeam, what drives her, and what Denmark could learn from the international tech scene.
Here is our creator interview with Maiken Paaske.
“We bring together the pioneers who are shaping the future in one place”
Maiken Paaske
Maiken, you’ve just launched Abeam. What is it all about?
“I would describe Abeam as ‘The home for outliers.’ It’s where the top founders, investors, executives, and leaders come together.
In venture capital and tech, the term ‘outliers’ usually refers to the 1% of people who do something truly exceptional—those who build extraordinary companies, create thousands of jobs, deliver significant returns to investors, and drive societal growth and innovation.
I think that term fits Abeam’s users perfectly. These are people who have had exceptional journeys and dared to do what very few would. Think unicorn founders, executives from public companies, top investors, founders who have made major exits, and so on.
We bring together the pioneers shaping the future in one place, enabling them to connect across countries and continents.”
“In short, you could say it’s like ‘Raya for business”
What problem are you trying to solve with Abeam?
*”In short, you could say it’s like ‘Raya for business.’ That might give some context.
Abeam exists to bring together people who can’t—or don’t want to—use platforms like LinkedIn, but still want to connect with relevant, like-minded individuals wherever they are in the world.
The people Abeam targets generally fall into two groups: some are extremely private, while others are very well-known.
The well-known are constantly bombarded with requests. Everyone wants something from them. Their LinkedIn inboxes are full of messages, but rarely are they meaningful or balanced.
On the other hand, there are the highly private individuals—those who aren’t active on social media and rarely appear in the press. They want to stay under the radar and avoid constant solicitations, but they still want to meet and connect with peers of similar caliber.
Abeam brings these ‘outliers’ together across the globe, allowing them to discover relevant people nearby. They can also join curated group dinners with others at their level and gain insights, advice, and support from people who truly understand them, because they see themselves reflected in one another.”*
What are your short- and long-term ambitions?
“The goal is to create the infrastructure that connects the world’s top outliers, enabling them to form relationships and alliances that can generate massive impact—for themselves and for the rest of the world.”
“Technology has always been a passion and a central interest of mine”
You’ve moved between startups, investing, and advisory work. When do you feel most in your element?
“From the outside, it might seem like there’s a big difference between them, but I don’t feel that way. I feel like it all connects and overlaps. The common denominator in everything I do is people. I truly enjoy working with inspiring individuals who have something meaningful to say, who don’t just follow the crowd, but dare to take risks, carve their own paths, and think outside the box—those who shape the world and drive us forward.
They give me energy! That includes both the clients in my advisory business, where I do thought leadership and PR for top founders, venture funds, and executives, as well as the same audience that uses Abeam. So, in reality, there isn’t that much distance between the different activities. It all blends together—in a good way.”*
And yet, you’ve also participated in many debates and knowledge-sharing sessions around technology, entrepreneurship, equality, and diversity. What drives you the most?
“Technology has always been a passion and a central interest of mine. It has shaped my education, my hobbies, and my career. I’ve always seen technology as a cornerstone of society and the future. If you want to be where decisions are made, where a lot is at stake, where you can have influence and shape the future, you need to understand tech. And many other factors intersect with that.
Investing is also a big part of the picture—venture capital gives new innovations a chance, which is why I’ve been involved in it. Beyond that, it’s primarily men who hold power in tech and investing today, so there’s clearly room for more diversity, especially if we want a future that reflects a diverse society. And I’ve always believed you can’t talk about business without talking about politics. Politics is in everything—especially when it comes to tech and investments—because there’s so much power and influence involved. So, in short, I feel it all connects and overlaps.”
"People have mixed opinions about Elon Musk, and he’s controversial in many ways"
Where do you think Danish founders have the most potential, and where are we still falling behind compared to the international tech scenes you follow?
“It’s funny—when I’m in the U.S., people think I’m so humble, but in Denmark, people see me as very ambitious and standing out. It’s fascinating how differently you can be perceived in these two places, and it probably says something about the differences between the markets. I think the ‘Jante Law’ still holds too much sway in Denmark.
It permeates our communication and culture—often unconsciously. Our discourse shapes our reality, whether we like it or not. As a result, ambition suffers, and it affects our ability to build companies here. Most people don’t dare to think REALLY big.
They’re afraid to stand out. They’re afraid to take risks. And honestly, the incentive to risk everything to build a company—where 95% fail within five years—is very low here. We’re so comfortable in Denmark: good salaries, security, a healthy work-life balance. We could learn a lot from Americans when it comes to generating excitement around entrepreneurship. They’re much better at hyping their founders, and that hype translates into real results. Entrepreneurs, investors, and the broader public get excited about new ideas. At first, it’s just hype, but over time it turns into real value. That’s exactly where Denmark is lagging.”
Who inspires you personally?
“People have mixed opinions about Elon Musk, and he’s controversial in many ways. But when it comes to entrepreneurship, there’s really no one at his level.
The problems he tackles are extraordinarily complex. He innovates critical infrastructure—not just with one company, but with many: PayPal, Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, Boring. It’s infrastructure for the future of civilization. He doesn’t do it once—he does it in parallel, simultaneously—and with great success.
So yes, Elon inspires me. Not because I want to be like him, but because he’s living proof that anything is possible. And at its core, entrepreneurship is exactly that: seeing the world as it could be and building the solutions that make that vision real.”
“A good workday is varied, yet carefully structured”
What does a good workday look like for you?
“It’s varied, yet carefully structured. I work a lot, but I feel free because I have the flexibility to plan much of it myself. I start my day reading the news, listening to podcasts, and getting in some morning exercise. I always prioritize deep work in the morning when I’m most productive, working with full focus.
Afternoons are usually filled with meetings and lighter, more flexible tasks. But I’m also the type who is always a bit ‘at work.’ If I get a good idea at 11:30 p.m. while falling asleep, I’ll grab my notes app and write it down so I can act on it the next day. My mind is always partially at work, full of ideas. I find it incredibly exciting.”
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