Open call: Free technology testing for Danish SMEs

Access to test facilities can be key for a business to enable, demonstrate or certify their technology, allowing them to scale up and get the technology to the market. For SMEs however, identifying the precise test needs and finding the right facility and the means to finance the costs can be a hindrance to moving forward, with the risk that innovative technologies will never reach the market. 

To help SMEs overcome this obstacle in demonstrating and bringing their technology to market, DHI will launch an open call for free trial testing for Danish SMEs at our unique test facilities. DHI will then select two test cases to be performed during 2026. 

What we test

DHI's wave pool lab in Hørsholm, Denmark, is unique in hydraulic testing. DHI has 60 years of experience in physical model tests and numerical tools for infrastructure development in the offshore energy sector. Several major infrastructure works were given final shape here based on the laboratory results.

 

DHI’s facilities include our world-leading maritime technology evaluation facility and physical scale model testing with waves and currents. We offer testing for:

 

• Coastal protection and land reclamation solutions for authorities and contractors
• Offshore wind design concepts for developers and contractors
• Port and marine infrastructure designs for developers
• Offshore environment technologies for developers and suppliers
• Maritime technologies for environmental risk prevention, for example invasive species
• Marine and offshore concepts in research collaborations
• Water treatment technologies that affect water quality

 

DHI’s testing facilities

At DHI’s headquarters in Hørsholm, test facilities include:

 

• DHI Wave Flume
• Shallow water wave basin
• Offshore wave basin
• Pumping station test bench
• Environmental Lab

 

In Hundested, DHI's test facilities include:

 

• Maritime Technology Evaluation Facility

 

The test facility conducts biological evaluations of maritime technologies and other technical equipment. Due to the unique location of the test facility, high-quality water is available from natural sources of fresh water and seawater.

 

Evaluation criteria

A team of DHI experts will evaluate the applications based on:

 

• Innovation potential of the technology based on the company’s profile, current Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and potential to increase TRL with the tests
• The commercialisation pathway of the solution and projected market penetration
• Impact on Danish industry, including the potential to strengthen national capabilities in the maritime, coastal, offshore or water-technology sectors; to contribute to exports or job creation and to support Denmark’s position as a hub for environmental and marine innovation

 

How to apply

Send an email to Asbjørn Madsen, describing your technology.

 

Deadline: 1 March, 2026

The winners will be announced after summer 2026, and the expected period for testing is Q3 2026.

Please note that although some aspects of the testing can be confidential, overall results of the tests and potential market applications will be disseminated via DHI and GTS communication channels.

 

We look forward to receiving your applications and collaborating with you on testing your technologies in 2026.