Josefine Lange Strandgaard

Climate Tech | Bioinnovation | Startup Accelerators | Research Commercialization | Transatlantic Innovation Ecosystems Work across startups, researchers, investors, corporates, and government partners to strengthen the climate tech innovation ecosystem between Denmark and Silicon Valley. Key contributions: • Contribute to shaping the climate tech portfolio and strategic initiatives at Innovation Centre Denmark • Lead international programs supporting research commercialization and startup acceleration • Facilitate partnerships between universities, startups, investors, and industry partners across Europe and Silicon Valley • Support climate tech startups and researchers navigating the Silicon Valley innovation ecosystem • Convene ecosystem events and delegations connecting stakeholders across the climate and bioinnovation landscape

Led international entrepreneurship and innovation programs connecting Danish researchers and students with the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem. Key initiatives included: • BioInnovation Scholarship Program – Novo Nordisk Foundation • Danish American Research Fellowship – Lundbeck Foundation • Fintech Scholarship - Spar Nord Fonden • Carbon removal ecosystem initiatives including Carbon Cocktails events and delegations • Climate tech research and ecosystem roundtables with Nordic and US stakeholders • Co-author of the publication Future of Climate tech, based on in-dept research and interview with local SF Bay Area key stakeholders in climate tech.

Supported the design and delivery of international entrepreneurship programs connecting Danish universities and students with the Silicon Valley innovation ecosystem. Responsibilities included: • Program coordination and stakeholder engagement • Recruitment and selection of participants • Planning workshops and knowledge exchange activities • Supporting partnerships between academia, startups, and industry

Led the youth track of the P4G (Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030) High-Level Summit, bringing together 100 young professionals to collaborate on solutions for sustainable development. Co-developed and executed on a four-day international innovation program, including participant recruitment, program design, stakeholder coordination, and event execution in partnership with the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Co-founded an early-stage startup developing an event-focused platform concept. Early product concept development, user testing and early business model exploration.

Designed and developed the UX/UI for a smart water sensor and mobile app helping households track and reduce water consumption. Conducted user research, usability testing, and co-creation workshops to design an intuitive and user-friendly interface. Led and executed a product pilot at Roskilde Festival, testing the device in a real-world environment to evaluate usage patterns and how the technology could influence consumer water consumption behavior.

Supported environmental research and innovation projects focused on improving waste management, recycling, and resource recovery across five municipalities in the Copenhagen area. Worked within the Environment & Development department contributing to initiatives related to recycling systems, waste-to-energy operations, and circular resource management, including projects connected to Amager Bakke (CopenHill). Key responsibilities included: • Supporting research and innovation projects aimed at increasing reuse and recycling rates • Contributing to project development from research and concept development to testing and implementation • Assisting with environmental management processes including data collection and EMAS reporting

Coordinated the annual student introduction program for new students at Aalborg University Copenhagen. As one of three team leads, helped organize and deliver the introduction month, coordinating activities for approximately 90 new students across three study programs. Led a team of five coordinators, overseeing planning, communication, and execution of student onboarding events and activities.

Progressed through multiple roles in retail operations with increasing responsibility. Led teams of up to five employees, managed ordering and daily store operations, and supported in-store banking and post office services. Gained early experience in team leadership, customer engagement, and operational management.

Focused on green business creation, circular economy, and product-service systems. Master’s thesis: Developed a tool supporting SMEs in implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Selected projects: Product-service system for circular clothing in collaboration with Neutral • Entrepreneurship project developing a testing and certification concept for biodegradable materials • Water consumption research at Roskilde Festival, including pilot testing of a water measurement device • Design of a repair system for water pumps in Sierra Leone in collaboration with Engineers Without Borders Recognition: Nominated for SDG Tech Awards 2019 (Nordics)

Completed an exchange semester in industrial design to explore new perspectives on sustainable product design. Projects included the design of a modular children’s toy, structural packaging design, and information visualization, exploring new perspectives on design and sustainability.

An interdisciplinary engineering program combining design, engineering, and socio-material analysis to develop sustainable products and systems. Focused on user-centered design, circular economy, and product-service systems. Bachelor thesis: Circular economy as a framework for packaging design, developed in collaboration with COOP Denmark. Selected projects: • Holistic design for rainwater management in Copenhagen’s Klimakvarteret • Co-creation design of an office lighting system with FLSmidth • Product-service system concept replacing disposable BBQs • Redesign of a clothes dryer to reduce energy consumption