Big entrepreneur party celebrates all those who dare to believe in a good idea

"Today we celebrate those who dare to take the leap and believe in a good idea." These are the first words from Josefine Holmberg Baslund, head of Business Esbjerg's Riggen, as she welcomes to "Esbjerg's Heroes". A celebration of the city's entrepreneurs and at the same time the culmination of the accelerator program Level Up!

For the third time, the winner must be found. Over seven intense months, eight entrepreneurs have taken their businesses to new heights via Level Up! They have received teaching and coaching, and they have learned to pitch their business in just ten minutes. Out of the eight participants, three finalists have been selected. Tonight they pitch in front of the guests, who afterwards vote via SMS for the one they think deserves to win.

Josefine emphasizes, however, that all eight participants are celebrated this evening. They come from very different businesses working with everything from jewelry and chocolate to social media and women's communities. All have moved enormously in a short time.

"It has been amazing to see how much they have progressed," she says from the stage, and the approximately 100 attendees applaud once again.

A tailored toolbox

"All entrepreneurs should be offered – and accept – such a program. Here you get your entire toolbox specially designed for you," says Thomas and continues:

"The most important thing I've learned is maybe quite simple, but it's still something I've really embraced: Don't believe you can and should do everything yourself in your business. Focus on what you are best at, and then bring in forces from outside. Through Level-Up! I met Camilla Hansen, who runs the company SoMe&You. She now handles all my social media because she is really good at it. That way, I can concentrate on what I am best at."

And that is, among other things, being an IT consultant specializing in implementing artificial intelligence in other companies.

For Karina Ella Escherich, the program has meant that she is ready to take a new big step with her company Fanø Chocolate, which makes handmade quality chocolate produced with passion and care.

"I got a lot out of my coaching with Søren and Noor from Next Step Challenge. But my advisory board has also been fantastic, and I have actually just been told that they want to continue advising me even though the program is over," she says.

In her pitch, a small tasting sample is included for all guests, who are also asked to close their eyes and feel the Fanø story that the crunchy, sweet piece of chocolate tells. For a moment, the room is completely silent.

Also a tribute to Lone

At the end, Gadens Gastronomer takes the stage. Here, the ambitions are also big. What started as a good idea one day in 2022, when Ian ran past a food truck selling chorris, has today developed into a unique concept with authentic American street food. In 2026, he dreams of opening a restaurant, serving at one of the big music festivals, and maybe even sending a food truck to Japan. "If it succeeds, I know I have done the right thing," he says with a laugh from the stage.

More seriously, he says: "Lone – without you, this wouldn't have been possible." Lone sits on his advisory board and has advised him on finances. Afterwards, he elaborates:

"Lone has set up budgets for me, so I know that the budget I am presenting tonight holds. I have many ideas and can easily get distracted in all sorts of directions. The mentors in the program, including Lone, have helped me stay focused while also providing their expertise."

He is completely on the same wavelength as Thomas and the experience of not being able to do everything himself:

"Besides the financial part, I have also gotten really good coaching about personnel management. That is an area I value enormously because I am nothing without my employees, and it is just different to lead in Denmark than in China, where I have previously worked," he explains.

A close finish

After the three pitches – and before the winner is announced – Platformen serves delicious "finger food" consisting of sandwiches, open-faced sandwiches, snacks, and salad. Meanwhile, Josefine and the others from Business Esbjerg ensure that the votes are correctly counted. The lively chatter quiets down and turns into an excited murmur as she shortly after steps onto the stage.

"Before I reveal the winner, let's once again applaud all eight participants. They have simply been so cool," she says while waving the envelope.

"And I will say, it has been incredibly close," she says as the applause dies down and she slowly opens the envelope.

Ian with Gadens Gastronomer takes the victory and is celebrated in a shower of gold confetti. The young people cheer, clearly proud of their workplace and boss.

The prize obliges

"Well, I feel so good. It’s a great feeling to win and a big pat on the back," says a very happy Ian. "At the same time, it also obliges, because now even more people know me. I have to live up to that. Fortunately, I work well under pressure," the last is said with a big smile.

He does not yet know what the prize money of 25,000 DKK that comes with the victory will be used for. But he knows that the employees will be invited for a trip to King George when the party ends here:

"It’s such a tradition we have. I have a beer with them, order some pitchers, and then go home."

He doesn’t go home just yet, because family, friends, and the other participants from Level Up! want to celebrate him first, and the bar is still open even though darkness falls outside.

"That Level-Up! exists is good for the local entrepreneurial environment. At the same time, we show young people that they don’t have to go to Aarhus or Copenhagen to create something. Although Esbjerg is not a big city, you can definitely create something here. And I love that," he states firmly.