Meet the Alumni

Fall 2023

Spring 2023

Spring 2022

Kate Escobar

SCHOLAR, FALL 2023, UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN

startup: switch bioworks

"In the heart of Silicon Valley, I embarked on a thrilling journey with Switch Bioworks. My driving passion for sustainability and microbes became the cornerstone of our mission: revolutionizing agriculture by developing biofertilizers. Here, in this epicenter of innovation, I not only pursued my passion within biotechnology but gained experience on entrepreneurship to contribute to a greener, more sustainable future for our planet!”

Tabea Schröder

SCHOLAR, SPRING 2023, TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARK, DTU

startup: Siolta Therapeutics

"This unique scholarship has provided me with invaluable experiences and knowledge in the field of bioinnovation - by learning about the process of bringing cutting-edge science out of the labs and into the commercial world. My time at Siolta Therapeutics allowed me to gain insight into the preclinical development and manufacturing of live biotherapeutic drugs, and I was exposed to the dynamic, fast-paced environment of biotech start-ups in the Silicon Valley. One of the highlights of this scholarship was the opportunity to attend innovative workshops, networking events, and meet experts within the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the Bay Area. These experiences have broadened my understanding of the industry and have given me the chance to connect with and learn from professionals in my field.

I am excited to bring back concepts, teachings, and tips that I have learned during my time in the United States and incorporate them into my future work, studies, and life in Denmark. The knowledge and experiences gained through this scholarship will undoubtedly have a positive impact on all my future endeavours!
On a final note outside of work and academic growth, California’s beauty is something very unique and the incredible National Parks are most definitely a must-visit!”

Moritz Schaefer

SCHOLAR, SPRING 2023, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN DENMARK, SDU

startup: Gordian Biotechnology

"Startups working with cutting-edge biotech, encountering self-driving cars at every turn, or collabo-rating with brilliant, forward-thinking, entrepreneurial minds can be found all around the world. However, when all this comes together in one place and is your everyday life, you are in Silicon Valley/San Francisco. The I-BIS program allowed me to experience such an everyday life and much more. Working in the birthplace of biotechnology at Gordian Biotechnology, an ambitious, fast-paced working environment, intensified my enthusiasm for biomedicine as I delved into cutting-edge research that pushes boundaries every day. Nonetheless, the collaboration at Gordian was remarkable, emphasizing that today’s biotech startups require great minds to collectively push limits to attain a shared objective. Beyond the lab, I deeply appreciate the cultural interactions, friendships, and connections, along with the diverse journeys exploring the breathtaking natural landscapes of the West Coast. For me, the I-BIS program was an outstanding opportunity, fostering both my personal and academic growth on a global scale.”

Julie Kirstine Blok Rasmussen

SCHOLAR, SPRING 2023, TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARK, DTU

Startup: visolis

"Shifting from an engineering to an entrepreneurial mindset. The internship brought me out of the academic bubble and forever changed my perspective. The rapid evolution of AI in spring 2023 captured my attention, fueling advancements not only in biotech but also in startup commercialization. Silicon Valley taught me the significance of networking  -' It's who you know, not what you know'. Participating in this program has boosted my confidence in exploring new fields and breaking out of comfort zones. At Visolis, producing Carbon-Negative Materials through fermentation, I engaged with chemical engineers in Downstream Processing, marvelling at complex operations and their economic impact. Visolis aligns seamlessly with my passion for sustainable alternatives to petrochemicals. My time here has intensified my passion for sustainability, both with working with Visolis and through our program, meeting startups, and established companies working on solutions addressing CO2 reduction. I am hopeful for the future, knowing that the green solutions are transitioning from academia to commercialization in the real world.”

Emil Funk Vangsgaard

SCHOLAR, SPRING 2023, UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN

company: Pivotal BioVenture Partners

"Good ideas don't make good companies - people do". Fundamentally, my view on innovation and bioentrepreneurship has changed dramatically after my internship. Being part of the Venture Capital ecosystem in Silicon Valley has taught me valuable lessons about how venture building works in the US, and what really surprised me is how people-focused it is. Ultimately, building a company is about getting the right minds together around an idea, and the VC ecosystem is the driver for these companies to create change and impact in society. I have gained new skills and profoundly broadened my perspective on how therapeutic companies are built. Being part of the team at Pivotal BioVenture Partners has taught me valuable skills and lessons that I now can apply in the Danish ecosystem, the team is amazing and I can't recommend it enough for anyone who wants to deeply understand the process of going from academia to industry.”

Valentas Brasas

SCHOLAR, SPRING 2023, UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN

STARTUP: ATOMIC AI

“During my Silicon Valley internship, I had an exceptional experience that surpassed all expectations. From the moment I set foot in the company's dynamic offices, I knew I was in for something special. Working alongside incredibly talented individuals, I was continually amazed by the diverse skill sets they brought to the table. Each team member had a unique perspective, and together, pushed each other to reach new heights. Beyond the company's undeniable success, it was the company culture that left a lasting impression on me. The core values of being happy about being proven wrong and the belief in fundamental equality have made an inclusive environment that strived for excellence. Finally, throughout my internship, I had also the privilege of witnessing the brilliance of scientific ideas and the excellence of engineering practices.
Overall, this internship was a transformative experience that left an indelible mark on my professional and personal growth.”

Maria Madrazo

SCHOLAR, SPRING 2022, UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN

STARTUP: Walking Fish Therapeutics

“Being part of the program, radically changed my idea of research and how I view my future in the biomedical field. By having the opportunity to work in Silicon Valley, where ideas and technology meet reality, I gained work experience and knowledge that I could from now on apply to all my future projects. In only 5 months, I have seen great progress in my practical skills and approach towards challenges thanks to the guidance and learning that Walking Fish Therapeutics gave me. Since the program is also strongly focused on the value of entrepreneurship, I had the pleasure of participating in workshops that taught me all the intricate and hard work that happens before a product launch to the market. In addition, doing so while exploring and traveling around California made it even more special.”

Judit Pina Agullet

SCHOLAR, SPRING 2022, DTU STUDENT

STARTUP: SOTERIA BIOTHERAPEUTICS

This scholarship is one of those life and career-changing opportunities that will I cherish in every step of my way. Through the International Innovation Program, you will be placed in such a unique location like Silicon Valley. Silicon Valley is a hub of passionate and dedicated professionals that make dreams become a reality. This fast-paced and always-changing scientific environment has allowed me to be exposed and learn daily from the most interesting minds in our field and beyond.

I consider myself extremely lucky to have been working at Soteria Biotherapeutics, where I had the opportunity to shadow some of the most intelligent, knowledgeable, caring, and fun people I have ever met. Thanks to them, besides improving my lab skills, I have nourished and catalyzed my entrepreneurial curiosity, and this is a quality that I could have only cultured by being in this incredible start-up.

My advice for those who are considering if applying - this is a no-brainer, go for it!

Karina T. T. Le

SCHOLAR, SPRING 2022, SDU STUDENT

STARTUP: CAGE Bio Inc.

“Thanks to the program, I was fortunate to be given the unique opportunity to be part of the growing ecosystem of Silicon Valley based in the San Francisco Bay area. I am thrilled to have experienced the high-paced environment where innovation and entrepreneurship has created some of the biggest high-tech businesses in the world. As part of the program, I had the pleasure to team up with the start-up company CAGE Bio Inc., to develop a topical ‘Ionic Liquid’ formulation for treatment of skin diseases. My incredible journey with the company has allowed me to grow as a scientist and has taught me how one can go from a simple idea to a game-changing product on the market. I am proud to say that I am returning to Denmark with an expanded international network and a mindset that is eager to make a difference.”

Anne Christine Kaae

SCHOLAR, SPRING 2022, AU STUDENT

STARTUP: Applaud Medical

“When working in Silicon Valley you get the opportunity to get hands on experience with a very fast paced start-up environment. I had the pleasure of working with Applaud Medical, where I got the opportunity to work on both the development and business side of the company, which taught me a lot about working in a start up and the American health care system in general. The program enabled me to broaden my horizon on the possibilities within the life science field that I otherwise wouldn’t be exposed to.”

María José Romero Lado

SCHOLAR, SPRING 2022, UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN

STARTUP: Berkeley Lights

“Life changing. These two words fall short to express what the Silicon Valley experience has been like for me. What has my day to day life been like? A tremendous exposure to a lot of innovative and disruptive minds that I will be eternally grateful to for challenging me every day to bring out the best version of myself on a personal and professional level. This experience would not have been possible without the program, to which I am grateful for the opportunity to meet many people who passed on their knowledge, their passion and to whom I owe part of the person and professional that I am today. Special mention also to the company I worked with, Berkeley Lights, where I learned to think big and the importance of having a good team to achieve your goals. Thanks for everything Silicon Valley, hope to see you again soon!”

Mads Krogh Larsen

SCHOLAR, SPRING 2022, UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN

STARTUP: Encellin

“The International Innovation Project allowed me to pursue my life-long dream of working in the most vibrant and entrepreneurial research cluster in the world, Silicon Valley. I have worked with so many inspiring, creative, and knowledgeable people, and the experience would not have been the same without these people. The innovation in Silicon Valley is driven by a great passion for science and technology combined with interdisciplinary collaborations and a constant strive to make a positive difference for people and society. Throughout the program, I have gained a lot of responsibility within my company, Encellin, and the experience I have gained from working in a startup is extremely valuable no matter where I go after the program. I would recommend the program to anyone that is interested in learning more about life science entrepreneurship because this program will teach you all about what it takes to make a successful life science startup in a way you cannot learn from books or university courses.”

Gábor Dányi

SCHOLAR, SPRING 2022, DTU STUDENT

STARTUP: bighat biosciences

“The program is not merely just a „token” that looks good in a CV. It is a pivotal opportunity, to completely change one’s perspectives and build invaluable connections. Spending a year in the world’s most ambitious hub of technology  has probably been one of the most transformative experiences of my life.

I was lucky enough to join the brilliant team of BigHat Biosciences, that explosively grew from a single bench in an incubator, to an ambitious Series B company with a bright future ahead. By actively taking part in the projects and listening to countless hours of meetings from the world’s top-tier professionals, I gained insights that would have been just simply impossible by sitting in lectures or sitting by textbooks. As a result of my program, I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of documentation and how to communicate scientific results effectively. The environment always allowed me to strive and gradually expand creativity in the projects. Seeing first-hand on how hard-earned scientific data transforms to capital and reputation was the most fulfilling element of my work.

Some special thanks go out to all the organizers of the program at Innovation Centre Denmark, and especially Josefine, who ensured that everything went smoothly thorough my internship.”

Spring 2021

Mikkel Rasmus Hansen

SCHOLAR SPRING 2021, DTU STUDENT

STARTUP: DORIAN THERAPEUTICS

“The program gave me the opportunity to work for Dorian therapeutics where I got an insight into the wonders of therapeutics for cellular aging. Dorian is located at the incubator MBC Biolabs together with a lot of other biotech startups and it was a unique experience to feel the startup spirit deeply entrenched there. It was inspiring to see how the companies worked to succeed and especially to see how research could be converted into actual products and the challenges that this brings. Thank you to the program coordinators and Dorian for the wonderful chance to work with some knowledgeable, hardworking, and inspiring people that have challenged my thinking and taught me some valuable skills.”

Spring 2020

Kushagra Mehrotra

SCHOLAR SPRING 2020, DTU STUDENT

STARTUP: MADORRA

"I had a unique opportunity to work in Silicon Valley with one of the startups called Madorra. Not only did I had the fortuity to learn the crafts of Entrepreneurship from the founders of the startup but also be inspired by the Silicon Valley work culture. The program encourages networking among like-minded budding entrepreneurs and the Lab to Market sessions with Venture Capitalists and founders help in honing the required skills. The 2iP program enabled me to create a bridge between theoretical knowledge and practical application while working closely with regulatory authorities like FDA. I believe the 2iP program is well suited for students looking to get inspired by the start-up mindset while living in one of the most vibrant cities in the US."

Trine Zachariasen

SCHOLAR SPRING 2020, DTU STUDENT

STARTUP: SENTIEON

"Silicon Valley is a high-paced environment, where creativity and innovation are the keys to success. I got the chance to work at Sentieon, who develops state-of-the-art software tools used for developing personalized medicine through genomics. This has been an exceptional opportunity to get a glimpse of how the industry looks from the inside and learn about the unique bioscience environment found in the San Francisco Bay area."

Lasse Vedel Jørgensen

SCHOLAR SPRING 2020, SDU STUDENT

STARTUP: DORIAN THERAPEUTICS

“I had the pleasure to be an intern at Dorian Therapeutics, located at the MBC Biolabs incubator for life science start-ups in San Carlos. During my time at the company, I gained insight into the unique start-up environment that is present in the San Francisco bay area. I got the opportunity to work with highly accomplished researchers in state-of-the-art facilities, contributing to the development of next-generation medicines for age-related diseases. Being part of this incredibly paced and hyper-innovative environment has been truly inspiring and it has been a thrilling experience to watch close-up of how science is being translated into business. I have no doubt that this experience has given me a lot of tools to one day make my own biotech start-up.“

Line Egerod Lund

SCHOLAR SPRING 2020, DTU STUDENT

STARTUP: GRAFTWORX

"Working side-by-side with Graftworx’ dedicated team of professionals to develop their innovative smart patch has not only challenged me intellectually but also augmented my self-development. During my stay, I got to see determination push an idea to a product, how real-world needs created dynamic changes, and learned that mistakes are more of a friend than we often think. The 2IP program is a game-changer for young professionals and taking the opportunity definitely paid off.”

Andreas Kongsgaard

SCHOLAR SPRING 2020, UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN

STARTUP: DORIAN THERAPEUTICS

"By being in Silicon Valley, you will get exposed to creative thinking, an innovative environment, and thinking big on an everyday basis. Why shouldn't your adventure be the next unicorn? Your own way of thinking will get challenged and you will learn the basics of running a startup, the importance of having passionate people, and get an idea of what it takes to succeed. I will be forever grateful for the program for giving me this opportunity, where I got the pleasure of working with Dorian Therapeutics which are rethinking the way we treat age-related disease by blocking aging pathways."

Fall 2019

Stephanie Michelsen

STUDENT AUTUMN 2019, UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN

STARTUP: WILD EARTH

"During my stay, I have learned how high to aim, how to inspire, how not to inspire, and I've experienced how much hard work it takes to develop a healthy biotech startup. If you put in the effort and engage in the industry, the bay area’s booming life science hub will give back, big time"

Nicolai Tange

SCHOLAR AUTUMN 2019, AAU STUDENT

STARTUP: ENCELLIN

"I have had the pleasure to work with the founders of EnCellIn. Seeing their drive, meeting their amazing and helpful network, and being allowed to work on their game-changing device has made it an unforgettable and invaluable experience. I am sure that the relationships built during 2IP will last and that the programhas been the stepping stone to something greater"

Lauge Naur Hansen

SCHOLAR AUTUMN 2019, KU/DTU STUDENT

STARTUP: JUVENA THERAPEUTICS

"The program gave me the unique opportunity. I wanted to apply the methods and theory of the lecture halls to real-world problems, experience a milieu focused on applied science, and learn about small cooperation R&D in medical technology. If you want to get a first-hand view on what Silicon Valley is and which ideas are nurtured in the San Francisco Bay area then the program is your window to larger perspective.”