The Danish One-Stop Store: “Today, Big Tech Contacts Us”

Unlike most other countries, Denmark has consolidated its Silicon Valley resources under one roof in Palo Alto. Jesper Kamp, Denmark’s consul general and head of Innovation Center Denmark, highlights the advantages of this approach.

Denmark’s Consulate and associated agencies are located on the second floor of a building on California Avenue in Palo Alto.

“We see Palo Alto as a great location, conveniently positioned between the San Francisco and San Jose airports,” Kamp says.

Denmark's presence in Silicon Valley has expanded significantly since its launch in 2006 as a modest six-person operation. The facility employs 40 people and hosts several entities, including the Consulate, Innovation Center Denmark, Invest in Denmark, and our TechPlomacy unit.

“Our strength lies in our coordinated approach,” Kamp explains. “For instance, in quantum computing, we’ve spent four years creating research collaborations, invested in Silicon Valley startups, and addressed regulations through diplomacy. With companies like Nvidia, we align these efforts, often holding joint meetings.”

The first Tech Ambassador 2017 described in an article the early struggles to connect with major tech firms, a challenge Kamp acknowledges. However, in recent years, Denmark’s value proposition has shifted significantly, according to him.

“Within the last year, we’ve reached a point where many big tech companies now contact us for help and contacts. It’s a real shift from the early years when we were the ones always reaching out,” he says.

Sweden also looked to Denmark’s model before establishing a Consulate General in San Francisco.

“They visited our mission several times with delegations. It was a valuable exchange of experiences,” Kamp adds.

Challenges in a Rapidly Evolving Ecosystem

Still, keeping up with Silicon Valley’s relentless evolution is no small feat.

“The challenge is to constantly evolve as quickly as Silicon Valley does,” Kamp explains.

He mentions that Danish companies visiting Silicon Valley, believing they are ahead of the rest of the industry in AI development, often return to Denmark with a different opinion.

“They sometimes return realizing they are probably two years behind rather than being ahead,” Kamp says.

According to him, these visits are important because they expose Danish executives to real-world AI use cases and highlight the importance of improving their data management.

“The better the quality of the data, the more valuable the output and the greater the potential to monetize it,” he adds.

Earlier this week, Innovation Center Denmark hosted a health-focused pitch event at Kamp’s private residence in Menlo Park.

“We had a clear focus on health tech, and several of the leading venture capital firms, like Sequoia, were present. We’ve learned this over the years—to focus on one sector at a time to make it more meaningful for investors and entrepreneurs,” Kamp explains.

One recurring challenge for Nordic startups in Silicon Valley is the risk of staying within Nordic circles. Kamp acknowledges this but argues that Denmark’s structured programs actively work with both.

“When we run accelerators, we focus on ensuring startups meet the right people—whether they’re Nordic or not. It’s about creating the best possible outcomes, not just sticking with familiar faces,” he says.

Denmark’s activities in Silicon Valley operate on an estimated annual budget of $5 million to $6 million, funded through a mix of Danish agencies and ministries. Independent entities like Denmark’s sovereign wealth fund also work closely with the Danish missions abroad.

“We’re privileged compared to most countries, but there’s always more we could do with additional resources,” Kamp notes.

Kamp also acknowledges that while Europe leans heavily toward regulation in areas like AI, Silicon Valley’s focus is on rapid innovation, sometimes at the expense of oversight.

 “This cultural divide presents its own challenges when working on cross-continental partnerships,” he notes.

Wants to Blow Green Energy on California

California and Denmark are working together on renewable energy, focusing on wind power and energy efficiency technologies. The partnership, led by the California Energy Commission and Denmark’s Energy Agency, aims to accelerate the green transition by sharing expertise in regulation, policy, and innovation.

“California has the most ambitious climate goals of all U.S. states and consumes immense amounts of energy. Denmark’s decades of experience, including the full life cycle of offshore wind farms, provide valuable insights for California’s transition to renewable energy,” Kamp says.

While California focuses on floating wind turbines, Denmark’s knowledge of tender processes, environmental studies, best practices, and other aspects of the regulatory value chain remains relevant. 

Kamp noted that the collaboration often involves other Nordic countries, reinforcing a shared commitment to sustainable innovation.

The Future with Trump

Kamp does not anticipate any significant changes for the Danish representation in Silicon Valley under the new incoming administration.

“The new administration might deregulate the tech sector more, which would open up even more opportunities for collaboration,” he explains.

On visas, Kamp is optimistic that processes for skilled professionals will remain smooth.

“If it’s the right people with the right knowledge, I presume they’ll continue to get visas,” he adds, pointing to a stable track record in this area.

Emerging sectors like cryptocurrency could also gain renewed focus. While blockchain and fintech have been less prominent recently, Kamp sees potential for crypto to experience a resurgence.

“It could very well become a strategic focus for us again, depending on global trends,” he notes, emphasizing readiness to adapt to shifting priorities.”

From Nigeria to Silicon Valley

Jesper Kamp arrived in Silicon Valley in August 2021, following his role as Denmark’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, the Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea. 

While his career has been rooted in diplomacy, Kamp’s background is unusual for the field.

“I don’t have a political science background—I’m an economist. And, I started my first company when I was 22,” he says.

Reflecting on his time in Nigeria, Kamp highlights Lagos's entrepreneurial energy.

“Lagos has a vibrant startup ecosystem. When I was there, Mark Zuckerberg visited regularly to explore investment opportunities,” he explains.

As the interview wraps up, rain begins to fall outside the window. The planned walk to the Caltrain station for photos is scrapped, leaving a Danish design chair to take its place. “We are only allowed to have Danish design,” Kamp says with a smile.

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