Silicon Valley entrepreneur Savannah Peterson prefers Denmark to San Francisco

" TechBBQ is a safe space for creative minds. Unlike most tech conferences, it is not transactional. It’s about relationship-building. Yes, deals are done and partnerships are struck, but more importantly, it’s about building the community.”

These are the words of Silicon Valley entrepreneur Savannah Peterson , who was in town for the Danish event that hosted 7500+ people in September 2023. Savannah is a Forbes 30 Under 30 and Edmund Hillary Fellow, and she was a judge at the prestigious Consumer Electronics Show ( CES ) in Las Vegas earlier this year. Here are her thoughts on doing business in Copenhagen, which she shared with Eric Maganga , RentCulture's first contributor.

Why Copenhagen? What's the appeal for you?

Savannah Peterson: The Danes are incredibly innovative. Nature and sustainability come first in a way you only see in the most ecologically-centric parts of the world. You see a holistic approach in everything from technology to life sciences.

In other countries where I do business, there’s a very capitalistic measure of success: how much is my company worth? How much venture capital have I raised? And how many products have I sold? In Denmark, it’s about providing real solutions for real people—but also, am I doing it in a sustainable way that creates tech solutions for the future—longer term? And I am thinking about future generations and the materials used. It’s refreshing.

People are also supportive of each other. In countries like Denmark, it is us against the world. Whereas in the US, it is us against each other and then the world.

What have you learned about the Danes that you would tell people looking to invest or move here?

Savannah Peterson: As a Silicon Valley female entrepreneur, I feel better here than at home. It’s a safer and more supportive ecosystem. The first thing is the Danish concept of “hygge"—it's a very cosy atmosphere.

Both in how friends treat each other and the way the innovation networks say, Come on in. And secondly, we’re in one of the top four happiest countries; the happiness index is high. People are taken care of the social support infrastructure is in place and there’s a lot of opportunity.

People often talk about the American dream, but does it also exist due to social support for entrepreneurs and a safety net?

Savannah Peterson: It’s so different! In the United States, there’s no support if you want to switch from a conventional job and start a company. You’re on your own. Money is either coming out of your pocket or you’re raising capital.

There is no governmental aid or infrastructure support for companies. I’ve seen more Danish delegations to Silicon Valley than pretty much any other country. That government investment changes the game for early-stage entrepreneurs.

Click the link below to watch the full conversation between Eric Maganga and Savannah Peterson

Key Insights

• ?? Copenhagen’s focus on nature and sustainability in innovation sets it apart from other ecosystems and contributes to a holistic approach to design and technology.
• ?? Denmark’s supportive and collaborative entrepreneurial ecosystem fosters success and provides a safety net for entrepreneurs, promoting real solutions for real people.
• ?? Tech BBQ’s commitment to diversity, sustainability, and mental health awareness reflects the values and inclusivity of Danish innovation.
• ?? Denmark’s government invests significantly in innovation and entrepreneurship, providing resources, mentorship, and access to international opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.
• ?? The Danish entrepreneurial ecosystem offers a supportive community and access to funding, mentorship, and resources, increasing the chances of success for early-stage entrepreneurs.

Introducing RentCulture's first contributor

In this edition of RentCulture, I am so grateful to introduce Eric Maganga as the first contributor to this newsletter. He has been a prolific concert and album reviewer, with storytelling always at the heart of his prose. Eric has written for The Copenhagen Post and is one of the strongest voices when it comes to seeking mental health guidance amongst minority communities in Denmark.

You can follow Eric on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericsprojections/

LinkedIn: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/ericmaganga/

Website: https://casualtanzanian.dk

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