Are you ready to give yourself the time and space to turn your idea into a venture that truly reflects your values?
Join the Meaningful Entrepreneurship Residency at Nordhus, February 2026: a one-month, full-time residential program where 14 early-stage founders from around the world live, learn and co-create ventures that put purpose first.
It’s time to rethink how we build business.
Apply now and turn your idea into an impact venture - in just one month.
The Meaningful Entrepreneurship Residency is a one-month, full-time residential program, inspired by the Danish Folk High School tradition.
The residency is designed as a living lab for rethinking entrepreneurship as a driver of system change toward an inclusive and sustainable economy. Unlike other programs, participants will leave with tangible outcomes that fit the values of a new entrepreneurial generation: purpose-driven, system-oriented and committed to people and the planet.
A once-in-a-lifetime chance to pause and focus on:
✓ Validation
Test your idea with real users and leave with a pilot.
✓ Mission lock
Learn funding and governance models that safeguard your values.
✓ Brand & storytelling
Build a brand identity and pitch that resonates with partners and funders.
✓ Community
Live and learn alongside peers who share your drive to create system change.
✓ Visibility
Present at the Nordhus Showcase to funders, partners and media.
Purpose & System Mapping
Align your values with your venture and find where you can have the most impact in changing the system.
Build with Users
Prototype, test, and validate with stakeholders.
Regenerative Business Model
Design a business model with impact and financial sustainability.
Mission Lock & Showcase
Secure and incorporate your values with the right structure, refine your governance and story.
✓ Workshops & guest mentors
✓ Community living & shared reflection
✓ Hands-on venture work time
✓ Case study and company visits
As part of the program, participants will also be integrated into the Danish startup ecosystem through visits to inspiring Copenhagen-based actors and companies that are already pioneering regenerative, sustainable and circular business models
Nordhus is a cultural hub on the mission of empowering young people into adulthood through learning, creativity and meaningful communities. It offers a comprehensive, all-in-one package that enables participants to dedicate a full month exclusively to developing their ideas.
Each participant will stay in a shared Twin Apartment at Nordhus: a bright, modern and fully furnished space designed for community living.
You’ll have your own private bedroom and share the kitchen, bathroom and living room with one other participant.
Please note that room types may vary depending on availability.
✓ Full time immersion & Launch-ready outcomes
Not just theory and framework, but working time to create real traction and build mission integrity.
✓ Expertise from the field
Guidance from experts and serial entrepreneurs who deeply understand about systemic regenerative entrepreneurship.
✓ Public showcase & network
Expose founders in front of partners, funders and community to launch them for their next phase.
Founder, Startup Guide & Impact the Future
Sissel creates platforms, programs, and schools that empower the next generation to build meaningful, impact-driven businesses.
Co-founder, Kaospilot+
Finn works at the intersection of learning, design, and systems change, helping schools and organizations reimagine education for a just future.
Founder, CARCEL & Ruby Cup
Veronica is a serial entrepreneur creating purpose-driven companies focused on sustainability, women’s empowerment, and ethical supply chains.
Co-Creator, Post-Growth Entrepreneurship Incubator
Riccardo supports founders in building regenerative, inclusive, and socially just ventures beyond the traditional growth paradigm.
Co-Founder, Post Growth Guide
Oscar develops tools and frameworks that help entrepreneurs and educators navigate post-growth futures rooted in care and resilience.
Workplace Strategy & Culture Manager, LEGO Group
Binit uses design, systems thinking and storytelling to create inclusive, sustainable solutions across innovation, strategy and culture.
Founder, Today
Cecilie empowers founders and leaders through coaching focused on resilience, empathy, growth and sustainable success in startups and VC.
Founder, Circularity Centre Denmark
Ellen is a service designer and founder focused on practical, people-centered systems that make circular living the natural choice.
CEO & founder, Considered Capital
Esme is a leader in impact investing and social finance, helping entrepreneurs access funding and guiding funders toward social impact.
Senior Product Designer, Maersk
With a background in design thinking, Inês blends design and improv to foster innovation, authenticity and connection in her work and workshops.
Founder & Chairman, Nordhus / Home.Earth
Rasmus Nørgaard is an urban entrepreneur and investor focused on sustainable, inclusive real estate and long-term impact in cities.
Founder & CEO, Impact Shakers
Yonca Braeckman is an impact-driven entrepreneur and investor focused on inclusive entrepreneurship and systemic change through underrepresented founders.
✓ When: February 2026.
✓ Where: Nordhus, Copenhagen.
✓ Eligibility: Early-stage founders with an existing idea addressing systemic issues.
✓ Cost: €2,500 (cover accommodation, meals, program, workshops and community activities — do not cover travelling).
✓ Scholarships: 2 fully funded spots, 2 partly funded spots.
If you are already based in Copenhagen and want to join without accommodation, you can still apply and discounts will be applied.
Early-stage founders aged 18–35 with an existing idea or prototype that addresses systemic issues such as climate, democracy or social justice. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and countries.
No. You need an idea or prototype you are committed to working on. The Residency is designed to help you validate, test, and strengthen your venture.
The fee covers one month of shared accommodation at Nordhus, daily lunches, workshops, mentoring, prototyping support and community activities. Travel to and from Copenhagen is not included.
Yes. We offer 2 fully funded scholarships to ensure access for founders who otherwise could not participate, with priority given to underrepresented groups.
The Residency is a full-time immersion. Expect to dedicate yourself fully for the month including workshops, venture work and shared living.
Applications are reviewed based on your idea, your commitment, and how you fit the Residency’s values. Diversity is a key selection criterion.
You leave with a validated venture, a mission-lock roadmap, a brand and storytelling package, and new connections. Alumni will also remain part of our wider Meaningful Entrepreneurship community.
The Residency is conducted in English, and all applicants should be comfortable working in an international environment.
Yes! The program is open to international participants. Past cohorts of our programs have included over 80% international participants.
No problem! We offer a special discounted fee of €1,500 for participants based in Copenhagen who don’t require housing. You’ll still have full access to all workshops, meals, and community activities
Teams are welcome to apply! Each team member should submit a separate application, but make sure to mention you’re applying together. If accepted, team members can share a two-bedroom apartment at Nordhus.
Applications open: October 2025
Deadline: December 5th, 2025
We review applications on an ongoing basis and encourage you to apply early. We fill the 14 available spots as we find the right fit, so spaces may be filled before the final deadline (Refundable deposit required to secure your spot).
"I already believed that business should serve a greater purpose beyond profit, but the program reinforced this mindset and gave me new tools, language, and examples to strengthen that vision. It showed me practical ways to align values with strategy, proving that meaningful impact and business success can go hand in hand."
"For me the program was a bit of an intervention I needed before a career change. I also realized that I can start something, without necessarily it being a traditional startup (with all the associated headaches)."
"Meaningful Entrepreneurship is now a community of people I can reach out to"
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