Economy and Business Committee on 28 October 2026
Economy and Business Committee considers rejection of tech incubator with DKK 197,700 in annual market rent
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On Wednesday, 28 October 2026, the Economy and Business Committee will consider the recommendation on Radikale Venstre’s proposal for a nonprofit tech-startup incubator.
- Erhverv og beskæftigelse
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Summary
On Wednesday, 28 October 2026, the Economy and Business Committee will consider the recommendation on Radikale Venstre’s proposal for a nonprofit tech-startup incubator. The Mayor’s Department and the Municipal Executive department for Technical and Environmental Affairs recommend that the motion be rejected, while the proposal’s perspectives are incorporated into work on the new business strategy.
What it means for you
If the udvalg (committee) backs the recommendation, the path closes for a municipally supported incubator with low or no rent. Entrepreneurs between The Kitchen and INCUBA will instead have needs and options clarified in the upcoming business strategy — not a new municipal offer with reduced rent.
Background
Mahad Yussuf and Metin Lindved Aydin (Radikale Venstre) propose that Aarhus Municipality establish a nonprofit tech-startup incubator in a vacant municipal property. The aim is a dedicated community in the transition from prototype to first customers, with roughly 20–30 startups and a fee of about DKK 1,000 per month.
The administration assesses that the municipality cannot lawfully provide premises free of charge or at reduced rent. Temporarily unused premises can be let on market terms. Technical and Environmental Affairs has pointed to Tomsagervej 27 in Åbyhøj as the only suitable municipal property. The lease covers 418 m²; annual market rent is set at DKK 197,700 excluding utilities. Without funds for maintenance, use requires either one primary tenant with subletting rights and risk — or additional municipal funding. That model is assessed as incompatible with the target group’s finances.
An initial review points to existing offers with spare capacity, including Next Level Founder Hub, launched in April 2026. Magistraten (Municipal Executive) recommended on 29 September 2026 that Byrådet (City Council) adopt the recommendation. Byrådet (City Council) referred the case to the Economy and Business Committee on 7 October 2026 after a request for the right to speak first.
Figures and facts
- Roughly 20–30 startups and a fee of about DKK 1,000/month in the proposal (Appendix — Appendix 1: Motion RV 20.05.2026)
- Tomsagervej 27: 418 m² (241 m² ground floor, 177 m² basement); annual market rent DKK 197,700 excluding utilities (Appendix — Recommendation)
- The tech sector accounts for about 14% of employment in Aarhus versus 9% nationally; 84 newly established IT companies in 2023 — the lowest level since 2010 (Appendix — Recommendation)
- Each cohort of entrepreneurs traditionally contributes about 1,800–2,000 new jobs in Aarhus (Appendix — Recommendation)
- Rental income for Tomsagervej 25–27 about DKK 1.15 million in 2025; no. 27 has stood empty since 1 February 2026 (Appendix — Memo MTM 07.10.2026)
- Wednesday: 5-minute presentation from Christian Lambertsen and Jørgen Højlund Wibe, ClearContract (Appendix — Cover note BA 20.10.2026)
Who said what
In the byråd (city council) debate on 7 October 2026, Steffen Wich (S) called the inquiry fine and noted that the perspectives should feed into the business strategy under development. Metin Lindved Aydin (RV) passed on praise to the tech startups that helped write the proposal and expressed satisfaction that the perspectives are carried forward in the strategy work.
At the earlier consideration on 3 June 2026, several parties backed further examination but called for documented need: Mette Bjerre (SF) mentioned among others Level 2 in Partnerhuset; Martin Christensen (V) asked about the gap between The Kitchen and INCUBA; Sarah Jarsbo (EL) wanted a closer look; Peter Sporleder (KF) found the proposal marked by being a budget proposal and wanted need and economics clarified.
What happens next
On Wednesday, 28 October 2026, the Economy and Business Committee first hears ClearContract in a short presentation. The committee then discusses the case and adopts a committee statement. Head of Business and Sustainable Development Maria Fønss Vestergaard and consultant Caroline Langergaard take part under the item. After committee consideration, the case returns to the political process toward Byrådet (City Council).
Sources
- Agenda — Response to RV proposal on establishing a tech-startup incubator in Aarhus
- Appendix — Cover note BA 20.10.2026
- Appendix — Recommendation
- Appendix — Appendix 1: Motion RV 20.05.2026
- Appendix — Memo MTM 07.10.2026 (added 07.10.2026)
- Aarhus Municipality meeting documents — meeting
- Aarhus Kommune
Other appendices
Transcript
Transcript of the council debate with speakers named, from the official signed record.