Gazellegrowth led by Symbion that has received governmental funding of DKK 32 million aimed exclusively at helping high-tech start-up companies develop aggressive growth plans.

The new venture program, named Gazellegrowth, is initiated with the purpose of advising selected Danish high-tech companies to develop a successful launch and growth strategy for new market penetration. Initial focus is on the U.S.

The program is governed by Symbion. Other members of the consortium include SEED Capital, DTU Innovation, Vækstfonden, First Corporate Technologies, Teknologisk Institut, Inventure Capital and Forskepark Århus. The program has secured support from Stanford, MIT, and a group of 100 executives in Silicon Valley.

In next 3 years, 40 companies or more will retain support from Gazellegrowth in their urge to establish viable U.S. partnerships and sales.

The experienced team behind Gazellegrowth offers a significant diversity of skills and relationships, enabling a strong front to break through to the U.S. markets.

Too many Danish companies and entrepreneurs encounter severe difficulties in the attempt to establish themselves in U.S. markets. The Gazellegrowth program is designed to ease some of the difficulties for the Danish entrepreneurs. At the present stage, Gazellegrowth offers the service of 25 skilled managers and other business professionals with substantial international experience to interact as coaches and to help create relationships for the chosen companies.

By spring 2007, there will be 100 business coaches ready to support this new initiative.

The companies chosen by Gazellegrowth must show sizable, realistic but ambitious international expansion plans. In return, there are no critical issues concerning size, age, or geographical placement.

Get more information at gazellegrowth.com

Additional article: “Coming to America” by Henrik Rosendahl

Danish-American Business Forum just had its 10 year anniversary. It has experienced much success and the organization has had a constant focus on the need for information and know-how about the US market. Danish American Business Forum was founded before ‘networking’ was an integrated part of Danish business life. The business forum of today is a substantial knowledge- and resource base for the forum’s members.

Read Danish American Business Forum’s latest newsletter here, where DABGO is featured with the article “Networking in the 21st Century with DABGO“.

The Danish American Business Forum plans many events during the year for its members. And I highly recommend becoming a member, as this is a great network to tap into and learn from. Get more information at www.dabf.dk.

DABGO now has 300 members, and is by far the fastest growing Danish network in America. If you haven’t already joined then sign up now. If you are already a member take a look at the latest members who has joined by clicking on “See all members” on your Linkedin front page, then click “Refine Search”, choose the period you would like to search by scrolling down under “Joined” and then click the “Search Again”button.

We have all (us Danes) told the story about the American who thought that the capital of Sweden is Denmark or the other way around. But, what is the capital of Texas or Florida and where is South Dakota? If you are not sure, then learn it with a map game.

“Haven’t made a dime on LinkedIn? A lot of people on LinkedIn haven’t made a dime from it. Chances are you haven’t made anyone else money either. In expanding your network, the main point is to help you phone or meet someone who may be able to help you in whatever it is you are trying to do. The flip side is you need to help others meet their needs too. Until you think of helping others get what they want, you won’t likely get what you want.”

Read the rest of this interesting article posted on lifehack.org

COPENHAGEN — Across Europe, nations such as France, Italy and Germany struggle with lackluster economic growth, high unemployment and high taxes that often fall far short of paying for their welfare states.

Then there is Denmark.

As most in Europe, the Danes have high taxes, which take an average of 50% of income.
They have a big welfare state, which provides free public health care, education, child care and job training on top of generous unemployment benefits.

Wages are high, with 87% of the workforce belonging to unions. Prices are high, too.
But the Danes enjoy steady economic growth, the lowest jobless rate on the continent, a budget surplus and shrinking government debt. And they work 37 hours a week.

Denmark defies much conventional wisdom that you cannot have jobs, growth and sound government finances while imposing high taxes and running a big welfare state.

Read the complete article at USA Today

When building the foundation for your network, remember to always focus on one very important word “help”, this is the part which will define the success of your network and put the word ‘work’ in ‘network’ to its test. There are three fairly simple rules which revolve around “help”, in becoming a successful business networker:

1. Forget about yourself at network events. Talk as little about yourself as possible, even when asked about what you do, keep to your 30 seconds elevator pitch and then asked sincerely and interested to what the other party does.
2. Genuinely care about helping others. When you positively care about helping others, you start learning as much about their business to see how you can help. You start asking questions. You start learning about his competitors, customers, employees. As a genuine networker, you’re driven to help others reach their goals.
3. Provide value. Now that you understand the other persons business needs, you can start helping him/her generate value. That could be taking time to personally introduce key people, help with a business proposal free of charge, or something as simple as emailing relevant article links to help their business. The key is to provide value, freely.

Follow these simple rules, and you will soon experience the very essence of the win-win philosophy. The great thing about human nature is, we always return favors. So the secret to a successful network is to just that, helping people.

DABGO is a free network, where helping is the key foundation and the main reason for the network’s increasing popularity.

If you want an example of how not be, then read this post at Okdork.com