About ten years ago, promising laser technology and three patents from DTU led to the birth of Norlase as a DTU spinout. Today, Norlase employs 60 people and is responsible for pioneering portable lasers to treat a range of eye diseases that can otherwise lead to vision loss and blindness.
Its successful journey from research to established technology company has prompted the European Investment Bank (EIB) to provide a loan of up to €20 million to support Norlase's continued growth. The support is part of the EU's goal to strengthen European companies that develop critical technology and ensure strategic autonomy.
Though Norlase's technology is at a different point now than the original DTU patents, the university has played a significant role in the company's ascent.
"There would be no Norlase today if it weren't for DTU's mindset of pushing technology beyond the ramp and bringing industry and research together," says Oliver Hvidt, CEO of Norlase.
Norlase was originally part of the DTU project 'Bridging the Gap', which aimed to create sustainable spinouts by matching researchers with experienced external entrepreneurs. Over the years, Norlase has had several research collaborations with DTU with grants from the EU and Innovation Fund Denmark, and the company has employed several industrial PhDs from DTU and recruited extensively among the university's graduates.
"There is much synergy between us and DTU, and looking ahead, we have ambitions to enter new technology areas, where we will also utilize our relationship with DTU as it creates value for both parties. At DTU, there is a mindset that research does not only belong in laboratories but also industry," says Oliver Hvidt.
