| Facts about DELTA
Ensures optimal use of technology through development, test, certification and consultancy. Works in electronics, microelectronics, software technology, light, optics, acoustics, vibration and sensor systems. Founded in 1941 and currently one of Denmark's nine GTS institutes - Advanced Technology Group - which are independent research and technology organisations. The GTS institutes have two main functions: To generate innovation and development among companies and society, and to maintain and develop the technological infrastructure in Denmark. |
| DELTA milestones 2009
Highest order intake ever at DKK 280 million. Headcount increase by 13 employees of which five are full-time salespersons. Start-up of IdemoLAB. Quantum leap within microelectronics, e.g. the electronic patch, ePatch. |
| Case: IdemoLAB
DELTA sees entrepreneurs and small companies struggle with new projects and ideas every day. Many fail due to either technological challenges or unfulfilled user needs. Therefore, DELTA has decided to create a 'community' workshop in order to offer an agile and accelerated proof-of-concept service, support for early user involvement – and access to a network of designers, electronics producers etc. Proof-of-concepts are often important to ensure capital for a project from, for instance, venture funds or banks. The objective for IdemoLAB is to get many more ideas from the drawing board and into actual development. |
| Case: Telemedicin
DELTA is one of Denmark's central R&D units in intelligent health and welfare technology. It includes new technologies, sensor systems, wireless communication, test and approval. In particular, DELTA has specialised in the intelligent part of the health technology – through, for instance, a revolutionary platform for body sensors and new technologies for quick identification of microorganisms, viruses or pathogens. |
DELTA still lives by the same mission: We help ideas meet the real world.
DELTA makes a move in microelectronics
Unlike many other companies in 2009, DELTA hired five full-time salespersons. Among other things, this has led to the highest order intake in the company's history. Per Hartlev, CEO, explains how he plans to sustain the high drive in 2010.How do you see the way forward for your company in the year to come?
'The work with the electronic patch – and telemedicine in general – is a major venture for DELTA. It is an idea that we have developed the past five years and that we believe in for the future.
'From our division Microelectronics we develop and supply turnkey intelligent patches as an OEM sub-supplier to other companies. Moreover, we influence the entire telemedicine market by means of various initiatives from within DELTA, and we are probably about 20 people in total working in this growing business area.
We started up IctalCare A/S who primarily deals with epilepsy, which is an example of a segment for the ePatch.
'In the same sector we are working on "Point of care", including salmonella measurement directly inside the stables instead of at a laboratory. Or cancer research where tissue samples are tested within 24 hours instead of the current 14 days.
"Point of care" is a major venture for us, for the Government and for the universities. We have an excellent partnership with DTU: DTU Environment, DTU Nanotech and DTU Vet, and we expect to have demonstrators in place in three years.
'A new venture is IdemoLAB. It is a brand new "concept" which is to help entrepreneurs in their work. When start-ups apply for venture capital, they are typically asked for a prototype or a proof-of-concept. This is often a hard and slow procedure, but IdemoLAB can help.
'Here, the client will be able to establish a technological and user-based proof-of-concept or a model with the help of our competent engineers'.
What are DELTA's challenges in 2010?
'Although DELTA is a medium-sized company in Denmark, we are a minor player internationally. Our strategy is growth – organic and through mergers. This is the case within all our core areas but especially acoustics, test and sensors.
'In the field of telemedicine, the big boys have begun marching in. Philips and IBM invest a lot in telemedicine, and it is time for us to define our role. My assessment is clear; we have to be niche-oriented, e.g. epilepsy, and otherwise be a first-mover when it comes to the more readily accessible applications'.
What do you wish for in 2010 in particular?
'I think that far too many small institutions and constellations are started with a bag of money to create development within a given area. The majority fail their mission. Instead I wish that existing structures were utilised, like the ATS structure which is more than 70 years old. We are a total of 3,000 people in Denmark who are here to analyse, develop and test ideas and implement business concepts, correspondingly.
We think commercially from the beginning and know that in three years, when subsidies and funding are stopped, we will have to run the project ourselves. That it actually works is seen in examples such as our wireless business and the ePatch.
'We are happy about the partnership with Scion DTU and their international relations. It provides a great synergy when the science park has visitors and when Scion DTU's CEO stops by with Suzlon or a delegation from Korea. It means business and good branding of DELTA, and he is more than welcome – also in 2010.
'At the moment we also benefit from the collaboration with the Scion DTU suffix: DTU. We wish for a similar collaboration with other universities like Århus and CBS – a lot more of that indeed!