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Longboats, Google Maps and Lego bricks. What does these three things have in common? I promise you, this is not the beginning of a very bad joke.
They are all inventions. Danish inventions to be precise.
All of these inventions were created as a solution to a problem.
The longboats allowed the Vikings to cross the oceans at great speed. Google Maps helps us find our way.
And Lego… Well, Lego can keep children – and sometimes even adults – entertained for hours on end. Surely one of our greatest achievements yet.
And though these inventions are thousands of years apart they all tell the same story. A story of creativity, ideas and innovation.
Innovation is a concept as old as humanity itself. It has always been a key driver in human progress.
In fact, all of human history can be told through the lens of science and innovation.
Since the first humans crawled out their caves and created the first tools we have been on an incredible journey.
If you remember the opening scene from Stanley Kubrick’s Space Odyssey, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
A mission
Human history can be described as a ladder. Where each step marks a defining invention, creation or discovery. Leading us onwards and upwards as a species.
From the discovery of fire, the creation of the first written languages and the Vikings’ longboats. To antibiotics, the moon landing and the digital revolution.
Every single idea, invention and discovery are a part of the journey that generations of humans have travelled - towards knowledge, prosperity, and a better life.
For millions of years humans have faced great challenges and unimaginable changes to their lives and circumstances. And have met them with creativity, adaptation and innovation.
And now we are again facing big changes and great challenges.
The French-Algerian philosopher and writer Franz Fanon once said – and I quote:
“Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it, or betray it”.
Previous generations have had their missions. World wars, economic crisis. Fighting for civil rights, equal rights, human rights.
And so do we.
I think we have some of the most complicated missions in human history.
Climate change. Conflicts and geopolitical tension. Demographic shifts. Pressure on our liberal democracies.
Our missions are numerous, global and they are complex.
But at the same time, we also have more tools than ever before to solve problems. To fulfill our missions.
We are witnessing some truly fantastic scientific and technological advancements. Climate technologies. Artificial intelligence. Quantum. New treatments, vaccines and cures.
Our understanding of what is possible is constantly being challenged.
In that way science and innovation is full of hope.
And not just the specific hope that we’ll crack the case of fusion energy or develop a new vaccine for cancer.
But the broader hope that exists at the very core of all science and innovation.
The belief that we – as generations of people have done before us – can solve the big problems we face.
That we can be smarter, society can be better and the future can be brighter.
This is the mindset at the core of all innovation.
However big or small your idea or invention, innovation is about hope. Seeing the potential. Wanting to change the world.
Believing you can make a positive change. In a big or a small way.
An idea is a network
But how do you do this? How do you come up with the next big idea? A new invention?
There have been many studies done into the very concept of ideas. Where do they come from? How do people arrive at those moments that lead to the wheel, the printing press, the internet?
We have this idea of a genius sitting alone in an office. And suddenly a light bulb turns on over their head. And a groundbreaking idea is formed.
But the people who study ideas believe that is in fact not the case. Ideas don’t form in a vacuum. An idea is a network. A network of connections in your brain.
And to create a new network in your brain, you need the right network in the world around you. A network of inspiration, ideas, people, opinions.
The more diverse and challenging your surroundings. The more creative and innovative you become.
The Nordic Innovation Fair is exactly creating these surroundings.
You bring people together from all across the Nordics.
You match-make industries, investors and researchers from the Nordic universities.
You create an environment of creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation. And by doing that you foster these crucial networks that will become new ideas.
That will become new start-ups, scale-ups and spin-outs. New diagnostic tools, technologies, green solutions, and treatments.
So, thank you for doing this. Thank you to Universities Denmark for making this event happen. And thank you to the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Innovation Fund Denmark and Bioinnovation Institute for your generous contributions.
Denmark is a world class science nation. We have come a long way from long boats and Lego. We have universities and research environments producing vast amounts of high-quality science and research.
We are among the best in the world in several different areas.
But there’s still a big potential when it comes to turning that research into ideas and innovation in the business sector.
This is a priority and an important part of the government’s strategy to strengthen entrepreneurship.
We are committed to doing what we can on a political level to make it easier for the great ideas to get from the desk and out into the world.
Innovation is global
And international cooperation is of course a key part of this.
Scandinavia have some of the best science environments in the world. We have talented students, excellent universities, innovative companies and ambitious, hard-working scientists.
As a region The Nordics is characterized by small, open economies. So, we depend on other countries.
For knowledge and for research breakthroughs.
As well as for attracting talent, investments and new companies.
Just as the great challenges we face are global, so are the solutions.
I believe Denmark and our Nordic neighbours can play an important part in finding these solutions.
All of you are here today because you have ideas, talent and the urge to change something – big or small.
Maybe the next groundbreaking idea is forming in a brain right here, right now.
I don’t know what the future holds but I am hopeful.
We will keep building the next steps of the scientific ladder.
With a commitment to solving global challenges. And to use new technologies, inventions and ideas to make the world better, safer and smarter.
We see our missions and we will fulfill them. Like generations have done before us.
Thank you.