International talent and mentorship: strengthening the life science ecosystem
At the core of every thriving innovation ecosystem lies a simple truth: talent is the key to growth. In the Greater Copenhagen region, where life science plays a central role in shaping the future of research and health care, the ability to attract, nurture, and retain top international talent has never been more critical.
The Greater Copenhagen region continues to strengthen its position as a leading life science hub in Europe and access to highly skilled professionals is a decisive factor in maintaining regional competitiveness and enabling innovation across academia, healthcare, and industry.
A persistent skills gap in Sweden and Denmark, especially in STEM and life science fields, is placing pressure on universities, companies, and research institutions. According to the Swedish Life Science Barometer 2025 (see link), recruitment remains a key challenge for both startups and established organizations, with demand for specialized expertise consistently outpacing local supply. As a result, international professionals are playing an increasingly central role in addressing this shortfall.
International talent is not simply a “nice-to-have”, it is a strategic necessity. Companies that employ global talent benefit from increased productivity, innovation capacity, and competitiveness. Studies also show that international teams bring fresh perspectives and resilience, critical attributes in a knowledge-driven economy dependent on collaboration across sectors.
However, attracting top talent is only the beginning. Long-term impact depends on effective integration, mentoring, and retention strategies.
To address both short- and long-term needs, regional initiatives have emerged to connect international students and early-career professionals with opportunities in the Öresund region. One example is the Cross Border Talent Bridge, an EU-supported project coordinated by partners in Lund, and Copenhagen (see link). The program focuses on helping companies find and retain talent, with an additional emphasis on attracting international professionals, especially master’s graduates, PhDs, postdocs, and their families. Notably, a new mentoring initiative targeting professionals in the tech and life science sectors is also set to launch as part of the program’s next phase.
In addition to the involvement in the Cross Border Talent Bridge program, Medicon Village supports mentoring initiatives aimed at introducing high school students to life science career paths (see link). These activities play a vital role in developing talent from an early stage, helping to build a pipeline of skilled individuals for both academia and industry. Another noteworthy initiative is the NOME (Nordic Mentor Network for Entrepreneurship) program, which offers high-level mentoring for life science entrepreneurs across the Nordic region, further strengthening the innovation ecosystem.
Mentorship has proven to be a particularly effective strategy. When experienced professionals invest time in guiding the next generation, everyone benefits. Students gain confidence and career orientation; companies tap into new ideas and energy; and the regional ecosystem becomes more attractive to future innovators.
An illustration of this collaborative model is the Synapse “Find your thesis” event at Medicon Village organized in collaboration with student networks, academia, and industry. The event brings together students looking for thesis placements or internships with companies and research groups offering real-world opportunities. It serves as both a talent matchmaking platform and a snapshot of the collaborative innovation environment that defines the region.
These local efforts are further reinforced by national programs such as those supported by Vinnova, which enable international cooperation between Swedish SMEs and European partners. Such initiatives promote mobility, knowledge exchange, and cross-border collaboration which are key components of a robust and future-ready innovation system.
In conclusion, the message is clear: Talent attraction is not only about meeting immediate staffing needs. It is about building a sustainable, connected innovation ecosystem where individuals from diverse backgrounds can thrive and where their contributions drive science, business, and societal progress.
For more information on the Cross Border Talent Bridge program, please visit our Cross Border Talent Bridge program landingpage.