Translation of an article by Sarah Bech (sarbe@jfmedier.dk), Erhvervsliv Esbjerg.
DIGITALISATION: There is no getting around it: IT and digitalization are present but, to an even greater extent, the future.
Some cities in the world have already made their mark in certain areas. Where Silicon Valley in California, USA, is known as a global center for new technology and innovation – the headquarters of Alphabet (Google) and Meta (Facebook) are located here, for example – Odense, for example, has distinguished itself as Denmark’s center for robotic technology. The ambitions of the Funen big city are even more significant.
Now Esbjerg also needs to make a mark. As a city, it is obvious to go to if you want to work with IT and digitalization. At least, that is the dream of many people from Esbjerg.
This autumn, a group of investors founded the investment company Vestpol Invest, which will invest specifically in IT entrepreneurship in Esbjerg. And it is not at all a stupid idea to put your efforts right there – on the contrary, believes Mikael Kirk Simonsen, a business consultant focusing on IT and digitalization in Business Esbjerg.
Esbjerg is facing exciting development within the energy sector and IT, data and structure. Therefore, he says it makes excellent sense to invest in IT and digitalization in Esbjerg.
Mikael Kirk Simonsen
Business Consultant, Business Esbjerg
– We have some companies in the city that demand digitalization and are ready to invest in it and can benefit and see new business areas within IT and digitalization, Mikael Kirk Simonsen.
Unique infrastructure in Esbjerg
One thing is that there is demand in the city. In principle, the local companies could find expertise outside the city. But there are other reasons why it makes sense to work with IT and digitalization in Esbjerg.
The city has one of Northern Europe’s very best fibre connections, connecting the city to large parts of the world – to other parts of Europe and the USA.
– It is unique that we have that infrastructure. It is another reason why, for example, it makes sense to place data centres in Esbjerg, and you would like to invest in IT infrastructure here. Mikael Kirk Simonsen explains that you get access to a completely unique infrastructure by placing this kind of investment in Esbjerg.
“We are connected to the USA, with Amsterdam and London and all the major hubs in IT. We are the gateway to Northern Europe, and this is what we must make good use of.”
Mikael Kirk Simonsen
Business Consultant, Business Esbjerg
– The unique fiber connection from here to the world means you can bring your data from one place to another super fast. We are connected to the USA, with Amsterdam and London and all the major hubs in IT. We are the gateway to Northern Europe, and this is what we must make good use of.
It has to start somewhere
The way to utilize the infrastructure is to get IT entrepreneurship in the city. But it all has to start somewhere – and how do you do that?
Often it is the environments around a university and various higher education programs that help to drive that kind of development. In Esbjerg, not many of the most apparent courses are for that purpose right now, and according to Mikael Kirk Simonsen from Business Esbjerg, there could be a much greater focus on more “hardcore IT” courses in the city.
However, the business consultant also sees founding an investment company that will invest specifically in IT and digitalization and, not least, do it locally to start creating an environment in the city.
– I think it is an excellent initiative. It is initiatives like this that help drive and start development, he says.
– After all, people who often meet create new development. By, for example, establishing an elite house (which Vestpol Invest would like in the long term, ed.), you bring together people with skills who can develop new companies for the benefit of the entire area. At Business Esbjerg, we are 100 percent ready to support what we can contribute. IT and digitalization are essential areas and focus areas for the entire Esbjerg Municipality.
MORE ABOUT BUSINESS ESBJERG
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