Søren Elmer Kristensen is new CEO of Odense Robotics, Denmark’s national cluster for robotics, automation and drones. For the 44-year-old, it marks the beginning of an important mission.
“Global demand for automation is high and Danish companies offer innovative solutions. Odense Robotics has a unique role in bringing Denmark’s robotics, automation and drone companies closer to customers, researchers and partners at home and internationally. As the new CEO, it’s a dream job for me to be given the opportunity to develop the cluster’s strong foundation. Now I will make it my goal to realise the potential across the entire country by helping companies of all sizes and in all regions – from the small robot startup in Copenhagen to the big automation company in Jutland,” says Søren Elmer Kristensen, CEO, Odense Robotics.
The task at hand is not unfamiliar for the new CEO. Søren Elmer Kristensen has been Project Director in Odense Robotics since February last year, and has applied his experience from his time as head of TEK Innovation at the University of Southern Denmark to accelerate innovation in the robotics industry in close collaboration with the ecosystem’s key partners. Søren is a strong profile, says Casper Hansen, chairman of Odense Robotics.
“I am pleased to welcome Søren Elmer Kristensen. As Odense Robotics’ previous Project Director, he has proved his result-orientated approach. Søren’s expert knowledge of the robotics environment, combined with his technical and commercial mindset, are some of the additional clear reasons why he was unanimously selected as the top candidate amongst a strong pool of applicants. It is with full support from the entire recruitment committee that he now assumes the role and takes over from Mikkel Christoffersen,” says Casper Hansen and continues:
“A big thank you to Odense Robotics’ CEO over the past many years, Mikkel Christoffersen. His visionary and entrepreneurial approach has been hugely instrumental in successfully building Odense Robotics up to its high level today. Mikkel has done an exemplary job and not least ensured that the industry now stands strong and together. Moreover, he has paved the way for strengthening the robotics industry’s regional success can be extended to the entire country.”
For almost a decade, Mikkel Christoffersen has played a key role in the industry’s growth journey – first on Funen and later nationally. Even though he has chosen to leave his position as CEO, he will not leave the robotics industry. Going forward, Mikkel Christoffersen will apply his extensive industry knowledge to help robotics and drone startups get off to a good start and strategically develop tech ecosystems.
“On behalf of the industry, I am pleased to see its development during my time as CEO. In addition to robotics companies creating a high growth, Denmark’s robotics industry has gained strong international recognition. This journey would not have been possible without the significant contribution from the cluster’s many strong partners – and to them, companies and the team at Odense Robotics, I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks. I am now looking forward to continuing my work in the robotics industry and focus on two areas close to my heart: helping robotics and drone startups get off to a good start and realising growth potential in tech ecosystems in Denmark and internationally through strategy development,” says Mikkel Christoffersen.
Facts about Søren Elmer Kristensen
- Project Director in Odense Robotics since 2022
- Head of TEK Innovation at the University of Southern Denmark from 2015-2022
- M.Sc. in Biotechnology from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in Denmark and the University of Copenhagen, 2007
- 44 years old, married with two children.
