With the prospect of an estimated 2-300% growth by 2025, the Danish
robotics cluster has a unique appeal to international investors. The
cluster generated a turnover of €763 million in 2017 – a 32% increase
since 2015, the equivalent of €238,000 on average per employee. The
ripple effect of the cluster is known globally; since 2015, more than
€750 million has been invested in the Odense-based robotics companies.
98% came from private investors, including U.S. based Teradyne acquiring
the two young companies Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robots.
Odense
Investor Summit 19 held June 26 is a platform where capital-seeking
companies from one of Europe´s most dynamic robotics clusters, Odense
Robotics, meet investors representing ‘smart money’ and risk
capital. More than 20 international and Danish start-ups & SMEs within
the areas of robotics, drones, and health-tech participate and meet with
120+ investors eager to invest in these industries.
At the Investor Summit in the
city of Odense, which, besides housing the robot fairytale, is the
birthplace of the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, participants
can also meet the key people behind the creation of the successful
European hot spot for robotics and automation, home to more than 130
robotics companies. The area’s explosive growth rate is closely
connected to the cluster’s unique ecosystem well-known for its strong
collaboration between the companies, research & educational
institutions, and the public, accelerating the growth of numerous
companies in a relatively small area. A total of 98% of companies in
Odense Robotics say collaboration is their most important strategic
focus area with 78% of companies collaborating with other cluster
companies.
The Danish global market leaders in robotics arms, service robots and
end-of-arm-tooling including OnRobot,
Blue
Ocean Robotics, Universal
Robots,
Mobile Industrial Robots, Cabinplant
and Jorgensen
Engineering are all based in Odense.
Denmark’s robotics industry is world-leading
Today,
Denmark’s robotics industry employs 8,500 people and generates €2.4
Billion in turnover. In 2025, turnover is estimated to grow to €7
Billion and the number of employees to reach 25,000 – a three-fold
increase in just six years. The numbers come from the first ever
analysis of Denmark’s robot and automation industry and its contribution
to the country’s economy, just released in a new report
published by Damvad Analytics.
“The Danish robotics industry is today a global market leader in the
development and production of robotics technology,” says Mikkel
Christoffersen, business manager of Odense Robotics. “The recent report
confirms that Denmark has developed a solid foundation for realizing the
growth potential of this fast-growing industry that investors should
keep an eye on as it is fast becoming very attractive for both
seed-money and venture capital investment.”
Start-ups at all levels with big opportunities
At the Odense
Investor Summit, promising ventures from start-up level to advanced
level will present their companies, including:
-
Start-up level: Kobots – Voice Responsive Robotics. A mobile,
voice-controlled cutting robot for the construction industry that
increases production capacity up to 300%. -
Venture level: Vision technology by Danish TriVision that helps
manufacturers avoid expensive recalls by significantly improving
quality and OEE uptime. -
Advanced level: Blue Ocean Robotics, the first robot venture
“factory”, that develops, produces, and sells professional service
robots in healthcare, construction, agriculture, education, and other
global markets.
A healthy fast-growing business environment
The City of
Odense represents a healthy fast-growing business environment. Odense
Investor Summit is bridging the gap between the robotic growth companies
and investors. The number of companies in the cluster has grown by more
than 50% since 2015.
In 2017, 49% of companies said their financial result was acceptable or
satisfactory. This strong top and bottom-line growth shows a profitable
industry successfully performing in terms of both development and sales.
Turnover is set to increase significantly in the coming years. Almost
40% of companies expect a 20%+ increase in turnover in 2018 compared to
previous year, and almost 70% expect a 20%+ increase in turnover for
2019-2021 compared to 2017. The total number of employees in the cluster
is more than 3,600. The vision of the mayor of Odense is that Odense
becomes the world’s leading robotics city.
More about three of the ventures present at Odense Investor Summit 19:
At start-up level: A voice controlled cutting robot
Kobots –
Voice Responsive Robotics presents a mobile, voice-controlled cutting
robot for the construction industry that increases production capacity
up to 300% due to less wai time while materials are cut effectively and
precisely the first time. The robot also reduces waste and increases
safety and work environments. The world’s first voice controlled
flexible cutting system precision cuts most materials from tiles to
plaster, responding to voice orders. Due to advanced software, Kobots
secures a stable dialogue between the craftsman and the cutting robot –
easily, quickly and safely. The entire machine can be set up in 10
minutes and can be stored in two sports bags.
Giving craftsmen the easy voice responsive access to precision cutting
speeds up building processes markedly in small as well as big
constructions. At European level, the market for construction alone is
€750 billion. Kobots’ goal is to have a market share of minimum 5%
within a year.
For further information, please contact Peter Hartvigsen, CEO, Kobots
– Voice Responsive Robotics: ph@kobots.dk
and +45 4080 1212 or see www.kobots.dk
At venture level: Vision technology improves packaging quality and
reduces waste
The food industry can avoid expensive recalls,
significantly improve quality and get better OEE uptime by using the
vision technology of Danish TriVision, which has already increased the
efficiency of leading Danish food production companies such as Arla
Foods and Danish Crown. The technology ensures that premium goods are
not discarded due to packaging errors.
For further information, please contact Jesper Bach, CEO, Trivision: bach@trivision.dk
and 41104282 or see www.trivision.com.
At established level: A robot venture “factory”
Blue Ocean
Robotics develops, produces and sells professional service robots in
healthcare, construction, agriculture, education, and other global
market verticals. The portfolio of robots includes brands like: UVD
Robots, a mobile robot to disinfect hospitals and pharmacy industries,
Multi Tower Robot, a mobile robot for safe patient handling and
rehabilitation, and a handful of other service robots.
All robots in the portfolio are created and commercialized based on
reusable technology – and business components enabling the company to
launch and scale new robots better, faster and cheaper than others. Each
robot brand is set up as a venture company in itself. Blue Ocean
Robotics is thus the first of its kind – a Robot Venture Factory.
For further information, please contact Merima Cikotic, Market
Intelligence Manager, Blue Ocean Robotics: +45 71 99 56 06 and mc@blue-ocean-robotics.com
or see www.blue-ocean-robotics.com
Useful links and downloads
Read the full story of the development of “The leading robot city in the
world” from the Lindø shipyard over the Maersk Institute to the focal
point of collaborative robots, backed by other robot and automation
companies here.
Read the full program of Odense Investor Summit 19 here.
Download
photos from Odense Investor Summit and Odense here.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190509005826/en/