Welcome to Silicon Valley
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3.1
Introduction ...................................................................3 Visa Application and Security Approval Procedures ...............4 At the Airport..................................................................5
Getting to and from the Airport ............................................................5
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5.1 5.2
Social Security Number ....................................................7 US Driver License ............................................................8
Written Test ......................................................................................8 Behind the Wheel Test ........................................................................9
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7.1
Insurance..................................................................... 10 Buying a Car................................................................. 11
Buying a Used Car............................................................................ 11
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8.1
Financial Services .......................................................... 12
Opening a bank Account.................................................................... 12
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10.1 10.2
Housing ....................................................................... 14 Phone, Cable and Internet Services.................................. 15
Phone Companies............................................................................. 15 Cable and Internet Companies ........................................................... 16
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12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7
Dos & Don’ts ................................................................ 17 Facts about Silicon Valley ............................................... 18
Background ..................................................................................... 18 Weather.......................................................................................... 19 Universities and Educational Attainment .............................................. 19 Employee Demographic, Wage, and Product......................................... 20 Core Technology Clusters .................................................................. 20 Patents ........................................................................................... 21 Competitiveness............................................................................... 21
Orientation Package Silicon Valley
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1
Introduction
When arriving in the United States of America there is a list of things that you will need to address. As you will discover, there are a lot of rules, regulations and several forms to fill out. This orientation package provides you with some useful information that makes it easier and faster for you to get settled in Silicon Valley. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at: Innovation Center Denmark 200 Page Mill Road, Suite 100 Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA Phone: +1 (650) 543 3180 Fax: +1 (650) 327 2522 Email: info@innovationcenterdenmark.com Website: www.innovationcenterdenmark.com
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2
Visa Application and Security Approval Procedures
Interns at representations of the Danish Foreign Ministry in the US need to apply for a diplomatic A-2 visa before arrival. The application process for such a visa goes through the Danish Foreign Ministry. In order to work for the Danish Foreign Ministry you do also need to be security approved. The hiring representation in the US will provide you with contact information to the person responsible for intern programs at the Danish Foreign Ministry. After you have contacted this person, you will receive the necessary papers for visa application and security approval: 1. Nonimmigrant Electronic Visa Application Form (DS-156) 2. Supplemental Non-immigrant Visa Application Form (DS-157) 3. Danish Foreign Ministry Security Approval Form 1 and 2 are also available at: www.usembassy.dk/Visas/Forms/default.htm For the visa application you will need a US passport photo. (Instructions at www.usembassy.dk/Visas/NonimmigrantVisa/PhotoInstructions.htm) Be as precise and thorough as possible when filling out the forms. Small mistakes can extend the application process several weeks. Bear in mind that average processing time of security approval is 3 months.
For further questions, please contact the legalization department at the Danish Foreign Ministry: Legaliseringen Phone: +45 33920118 Email: legalisering@um.dk
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3
At the Airport
Prior to departure, certain airport regulations must be taken into consideration: • All flights to and from the U.S. allows two bags of maximum 50 lbs (23 kg) each (economy class). All other baggage and security restrictions follow international standards. All passports without magnetic strip are not accepted at U.S. airports and you will not be allowed to check in for your flight at your departing airport. All travelers entering the U.S. on a Nonimmigrant visa needs to fill out the white Nonimmigrant visa form before getting in line for immigration. Usually, the flight crew of the specific flight will offer the form to you before arrival.
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3.1 Getting to and from the Airport
There are several public and private transportation options from all three major airports in the bay area, San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) and Oakland International Airport (OAK). Private transportation options include the following: • Taxi’s charge approximately $50 from SFO to downtown San Francisco and $90 to Palo Alto. Several airport shuttles serve all three airports. SuperShuttle offers transportation to and from the airport, to any bay area destination. Online reservations can be made at: www.supershuttle.com. Shared van (up to seven people) costs $26 for one-way transportation. Additional passengers cost $8/person. Private van costs $75.
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Public transportation options include the following: • BART Rapid Rail operates rapid rail service to San Francisco and the East Bay. The SFO BART station is located on the Departures/Ticketing Level (Level 3) of the International Terminal. BART provides a direct connection to CalTrain at the Millbrae station.
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CalTrain Commuter Rail provides rail service between San Francisco and San Jose. Weekday express trains serve select stations during commute hours. SamTrans busses provide 24-hour service connecting SFO to San Francisco and Palo Alto. For SJC, VTA Airport Flyer makes frequent stops between the airport and the Santa Clara CalTrain station and Fremont BART station.
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4
Social Security Number
When living in the U.S. you need a Social Security Number (SSN), equivalent to the Danish “personnummer” (CPR-nummer). This is necessary when getting your American driver license, phone subscription or car insurance etc. Applying for a Social Security Number is free. To apply for a Social Security Number you have to file an Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5). This form is available at www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html The form has to be handed in at the nearest Social Security Office. To find the office nearest you, please visit: https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/fo001.jsp Additional documents that need to be provided along with SS-5 are: • Immigration status: Passport and the I-94, Arrival/Departure Record as proof of identity. The I-94 is attached to your passport at entrance to the U.S. Work eligibility Second piece of picture identification, e.g. Danish driver’s license
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If you are an exchange visitor, you must provide your IAP-66, or DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status. (If you are in the U.S. as a student or an international visitor, you will also need an original, signed letter from your sponsor showing that you are authorized to work). NOTE: You cannot apply for a SSN if your US visa does not allow you to work in the US. IMPORTANT: A Social Security Card application cannot be filed up to ten working days, after arrival, due to processing time registering your entrance in the U.S.
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5
US Driver License
If you are to work and/or become a resident, you need to get a California driver license, preferably within 10 days after arrival in the U.S. To apply for a license you have to show up at a DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) office. You will need to take a written test and a behind-the-wheel driving test. To find the nearest DMV office, go to: www.dmv.ca.gov/fo/regions/california.htm Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday Wednesday 3rd Saturday of each month
8:00AM-5:00PM 9:00AM-5:00PM 8:00AM-12:00PM
To apply for an original driver license, you need to do the following:
5.1 Written Test
Visit a DMV office. An appointment is not necessary, however recommended, for faster service. If you do not have an appointment and want to avoid immense waiting time, arrive half an hour before opening hours to be first in line. • Appointments can be made at: www.dmv.ca.gov/online/onlinesvcs.htm or by calling: 1-800-7770133 during normal business hours. Complete application form DL-44 (an original DL-44 form must be submitted. Copies will not be accepted) Give a thumb print Have your picture taken Provide Social Security Number. It will be verified with the Social Security Administration while you are in the office. If you do not have a SSN, state so on the application form and you will be allowed to take the test. Verify your birth date and legal presence (Danish passport and I-94 form)
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Pay the application fee ($26) Pass a vision exam Pass a written test including traffic laws and signs. There are 36 questions on the test. Samples can be downloaded at: www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/interactive/tdrive/exam.htm. It is recommended that you practice these samples before the written test, to get acquainted with U.S. traffic laws and regulations. You have three attempts to pass. If third attempt is failed, the $26 application fee will give you three additional attempts
Expect the process to take 2-3 hours.
5.2 Behind the Wheel Test
• • • Make an appointment after you complete your written test Bring your own car Be able to show proof of car insurance
After you pass the driving test, you will be issued a temporary license which is valid for 60 days until you receive your new photo license in the mail. For further information and a copy of the California Driver Handbook go to: www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc.htm
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6
Insurance
It is very important to have insurance in the U.S. You can find and get quotes on the internet. Below are some examples. These are either independent insurance companies or insurance brokers. www.geico.com www.progressive.com www.mercuryinsurance.com It is recommended that you contact the insurance company by phone, since the online quote often do not include possible discounts depending on e.g. military background, organization membership, and prior driver history. Additional details also need to be presented to ensure that the insurance package is specified to your needs. It can be economically beneficial to combine your auto insurance-s, home/renter’s insurance and/or health insurance. The Danish health insurance (Dansk Sygesikring) does NOT apply in the U.S. You therefore have the option of signing a Travel Insurance at a Danish Travel Insurance Company prior to departure or at a U.S. insurance company after arrival. NOTE: To get auto insurance, you must state which year you achieved a US driver license. Combined with the fact that the DMV does not allow you to take the ‘behind the wheel’ test in a non-insured vehicle, you are forced to either borrow or rent a car for this test. Some insurance companies agree to sell you car insurance before you have attained an American driver license. Ask your specific insurance agent.
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7
Buying a Car
There exist several ways to purchase a car in Silicon Valley. If you decide to buy a new car, go to any local car dealership, according to brand. When buying a car from a licensed dealer you avoid the hassle of getting the right transaction papers, filling them out correctly and going to the DMV office to register as new owner. That is all taking care of by the dealer. The downside of buying at a licensed dealer is that you approximately end up giving 10-30% more than had you purchased the car through an individual seller. However, that will leave you doing the all the paper work yourself. Below are listed assorted links to useful homepages where you can look for used cars.
7.1 Buying a Used Car
• www.sfbay.craigslist.org: This site is one of the most used in the U.S. for private buyers and sellers. Craigslist is excellent for finding accommodation, cars, furniture and all sorts of other used goods, you name it. www.ebay.com: eBay, the world’s biggest internet auction site, offers a wide variety of new and used cars from individual sellers and licensed dealerships. If you are not already familiar with eBay, you need to spend some time understanding the rules before you engage in buying a car. www.cars.com: This site provides a useful search engine for used and new cars from individual sellers and licensed dealers. Just type in your zip code and all listed cars near your location will appear.
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When buying a used car, always ask for the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) before you decide to arrange a meeting. All repairs, accidents, mileage and previous owners are recorded on a CARFAX report linked to the VIN number. The CARFAX report can be seen on www.carfax.com by entering the 17 digit VIN number. To grant access to this service you need to pay for a minimum one month membership. The vehicle history information is necessary to evaluate any used car and is strongly recommended before any purchase is made. To determine the right price of a specific used car, Kelly Blue Book (KBB) becomes handy. This company provides you with free values and pricing on new and used cars according to specific brand, age, mileage and general condition. KBB is referred to as the Kelly Blue Book value of the car and can be found at www.kbb.com.
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8
Financial Services
Although Visa, Mastercard and American Express are widely accepted across the nation, you will need to open up a U.S. bank account. Reasons for this include: • Most U.S. companies demand a U.S. bank account to transfer your salary. On most international credit cards there exists a daily and monthly withdrawal limit. (This can be waived by your bank if necessary in the first cash demanding settling in phase). All phone, internet and cable subscription companies only accept U.S. bank accounts. Only a few U.S. internet shopping sites accept foreign credit cards (Delivery address must match credit card billing address).
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8.1 Opening a bank Account
There are mainly two types of bank accounts: • • Savings a/c (with interest) Checking a/c (with NO interest)
Generally most people open a Checking a/c first. To open an account you need a Social Security Number, however since it takes a week or more to obtain the social security number, you can request the bank to verify your passport and open the account with that. Later, you will then have to inform the bank of your social security number. Following concepts needs to be taking into consideration: • Minimum balance: which is either ‘no’ or ‘yes’ (it is better to open an a/c with no minimum balance otherwise you always have to maintain a specified minimum amount on the account). Overdraft facility: again ‘no’ or ‘yes’ (this allows you some amount of overdraft. This might be beneficial in some cases, such as when
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the monthly salary is not received on time and the house rent, phone bills etc. have to be paid). There are various kinds of check books available at any bank. They usually come in a set of 200 bound together in books of 20 each. The first check book is given by the bank immediately after opening the account. The other 200 checks are mailed to you at the given address. To write a check, you write the amount in words e.g. THIRTY FIVE & 47/100 dollars ($35.47). The next thing is to ask for an ATM card. This allows you to withdraw money 24 hrs. from any ATM across the country. The maximum amount for cash advance at any ATM is $300. Must banks allow you to select your own PIN code. The whole procedure of opening an account takes about 10-15 minutes.
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9
Housing
As mentioned, Craigslist (www.sfbay.craigslist.org) is a very useful place to look for housing/apartments. You can also use a real estate broker to help you find a place to live. Some of the major real estate companies in the bay area are listed below: www.century21.com www.coldwellbanker.com www.homes.com The office has been in contact with Wilbur Properties: Mary Letson, Realtor ERA Wilbur Properties 790 High Street Palo Alto, CA 94301 Direct Phone: +1 (650) 847 4366 Office Phone: +1 (650) 328 8877 Voice mail phone: +1 (650) 847 4366 Fax: +1 (650) 847 4366 Email: mary.letson@era.com
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10 Phone, Cable and Internet Services
Your ability to communicate with other people is highly valued in the U.S. If you do not have a cell phone, cable or internet connection, do not expect to be seen as a normal human being. These are all necessities in functioning in the U.S. society and should be acquired right away. Before you make any commitments, make sure to spend some time investigating the different campaigns and special offers that are being offered. Especially on internet and cable subscriptions, big savings can be made. Certain rules and terms are necessary to understand when choosing your phone, cable and Internet subscription. All subscriptions require a 12 month commitment period and cannot be cancelled without paying a cancellation fee (usually between $150-300). Some companies offer a 72 hour thinking period (after signup), within which, you can cancel your subscription, free of charge. Be prepared to pay several minor fees that are not listed in the brochure. Depending on subscription type, these include: • • Activation fee Foreign phone usage fee (enables the phone to make and receive calls from foreign callers, including text messages) VAT (8.5%) Cable modem/wireless router/HDTV converter deposit
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10.1 Phone Companies
If you bring your own phone from Denmark, make sure it is tri-band compatible, since U.S. uses a different GSM system than Europe. All major phone companies measure their subscriptions in minutes. Each subscription has a certain amount of minutes per month that you can talk for (if exceeded, higher rates apply). Be aware that receiving a phone call is as expensive as making a phone call. Whenever the phone is being used (voice calls only), minutes are withdrawn. Beneath are listed the major phone companies in Silicon Valley: • www.cingular.com: Offers the best coverage in the entire country. Their prices are 20-30% higher than the competition, but with the lowest amount of dropped calls. Cingular accept customers without a Social Security Number if a $500 deposit is made. Cingular also offers prepaid SIM cards that can be recharged as you please, however at a more expensive rate than the 12 month subscription.
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Orientation Package Silicon Valley
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www.tmobile.com: Offers the most minutes for your money. Reception can fluctuate in the valley, but generally works fine. No deposit is required for customers without SSN. T-Mobile does also offer pre-paid services. www.comcast.com: Offer phone services as a part of their cable and internet package deal. www.att.com: AT&T does also offer phone services incorporated in their internet deals.
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10.2 Cable and Internet Companies
Some companies offers three-in-one packages that combine cable TV, highspeed internet and phone services. Besides saving you money, a full package can lower the amount of monthly bills and make it more manageable. You can choose from a wide selection of TV packages stretching from basic (80 channels) to Premium or Gold (500 channels). High speed internet connection does also stretch from regular 128 kb/sec. (download and upload) to 8 MB/sec. (download and 1 MB upload). Be aware that, all though stated, 8 MB will only give you 1-2 MB/sec. during peak hours. Due to state licenses, different areas have different suppliers. Most of Silicon Valley is serviced by either ComCast or AT&T. Check www.comcast.com, www.verizon.com and www.att.com for coverage.
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11 Dos & Don’ts
Like all things Californian etiquette tends toward informal. Only a handful of places require more than a dressy shirt, slacks and a decent pair of shoes; most places require far less than this. Here are some things to keep in mind: • Tipping is expected anywhere you receive table service. Unless the service is very poor, leave 15-20%. An easy rule, when leaving a tip, is to multiply the tax amount listed on the bill by two (VAT approx. 8.5%). Smoking is illegal indoors, and is also not done in most private homes; restaurants sometimes have outdoor smoking sections, but check with the waiter and fellow guests before lighting up. Business lunches rarely include booze these days, though a class of wine is generally acceptable. You can bring your own wine to most restaurants, but expect to pay a ‘corkage’ fee of $10-30. When discussing politics or other societal topics/issues, be careful expressing your opinion to people you have just met. Political correctness is commonly well seen and should be respected.
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12 Facts about Silicon Valley
Size: 3,888 km/sq (Fyn: 3,550km/sq) Inhabitants: 2.43 millions (38% foreign born) Total average income: $69,455 Per capita income: $53,633 Median household income: $84,987 Jobs: 1.15 million GNP: California: Denmark: $1446 billions $212 billions
12.1 Background
Silicon Valley is the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in the United States. The term originally referred to the region's large number of silicon chip innovators and manufacturers, but eventually came to refer to all the high tech businesses in the area. Silicon Valley encompasses the northern part of Santa Clara Valley and adjacent communities in the southern parts of the San Francisco Peninsula and East Bay. It reaches approximately from Menlo Park (on the Peninsula) and the Fremont/Newark area in the East Bay down through San Jose, centered roughly on Sunnyvale. The Highway 17 corridor through the Santa Cruz Mountains into Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz County is sometimes considered a part of Silicon Valley. Silicon Valley hosts an extraordinary set of laboratories and research institutions which fuel local innovation. And with the world’s highest concentration of venture capital (share of all US venture capital investment is 26%, up from 18% a decade ago) and a dense network of supporting industries, the Silicon Valley innovation “habitat” is uniquely positioned to nurture entrepreneurial activity. In the years since the dot-com collapse, Silicon Valley has solidified its position as a global center for creativity in business and technology. Silicon Valley has long been effective at attracting entrepreneurs, incubating new companies, creating new products and services and introducing entirely
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new business models. The region also has a documented, well-established infrastructure of financial, legal, business and other start-up expertise. Silicon Valley has a much higher concentration of core design, engineering, scientific and business management talent than other regions of the US. This talent group drives the creation of new ideas, methods, products and services, and business models that produce economic value and prosperity. This group comprises 23% of our cluster employment and 14% of total regional employment – well above comparable regions such as Austin, Seattle, and San Diego (all ~8-9%), and the nation overall (2%).
12.2 Weather
Silicon Valley enjoys a year-round pleasant climate with temperatures never getting too severely hot or too cold. The lows in the winter months hover around the 40s, while the highs of the afternoon crawl into the 50s/low-60s. Spring and late fall tend to have a comfortable average high of 65 degrees, getting down to a night low of about 45 degrees. Late summer and early fall temperatures can get up to the low 80s, with lows averaging 56 degrees. There's always a risk of fog in Silicon Valley, especially in May and June, but as a rule of thumb the climate is seldom something to worry about.
12.3 Universities and Educational Attainment
Silicon Valley encompasses a range of top-tier universities engaged in innovative research and development, including: Stanford University San Jose State University University of California, Berkeley University of California, Davis University of California, Santa Cruz Santa Clara University California State University, East Bay Carnegie Mellon University (West Coast Campus) Educational Attainment of Silicon Valley Adults: • 82% hold high school diplomas • 41% hold bachelor’s degree US average adults holding bachelor’s degree: 29% • 60% more engineering and science degrees are conferred in Silicon Valley, per capita, than in California.
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12.4 Employee Demographic, Wage, and Product
• • • • • 53% of engineers and scientists in industry clusters are foreign born. Silicon Valley per capita income is 1.55 times greater than the nation. Average cluster wage in Silicon Valley is 75% higher than the US average cluster wage. Silicon Valley has substantially increased its productivity advantage of the US as a whole, outpacing the national average by 31% in 2004, up from 22% in 1994. Value-added by Silicon Valley employees increased from 2004-05 at more than twice the national rate.
12.5 Core Technology Clusters
Silicon Valley is comprised of networks of key concentrations of industry. These include: • • • • • • • Software Creative and Innovative Services Semiconductor and Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturing Computer and Communications Hardware Manufacturing Electronic Component Manufacturing Biomedical Corporate Offices
The semiconductor and semiconductor equipment manufacturing, as well as the computer and communications hardware manufacturing clusters are over ten times more concentrated than the nation, and the biomedical cluster is over three times more concentrated than the nation. In recent years, the creative and innovation services cluster has shown remarkable growth. The cluster includes professional services firms in areas such as research and development, scientific and technical consulting, engineering services, and industrial design. It was the fourth largest cluster in the region in 2001; today, it is the second largest cluster – behind only software. Moreover, creative and innovation services have the largest number of firms of any cluster (6, 565), adding 3% more firms over the 2001-2005 periods.
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12.6 Patents
The share of patents granted to Silicon Valley inventors increased at a faster rate during 2003-2004 than any period since 1997-1998. In 2004, 47% of California patents were granted to Silicon Valley, and 11% of all patents in the United States were granted to Silicon Valley, up from 5% a decade ago. Patents per capita have more than tripled, from 114 to 377 per 100,000 residents between 1994 and 2004.
12.7 Competitiveness
The competitiveness of high-cost regions depends on the ability to add value in new and creative ways. Silicon Valley’s competitive edge is its ability to create new ideas, methods, product designs, services and businesses based on its engineering, science, and management expertise. As the global community grows, not only will China, India and other developing countries be able to do things once exclusive to SV, but they will also demand more products and services. This means they will be large and growing markets for Silicon Valley’s idea economy, bringing prosperity to our region and creating jobs for our residents.
200 Page Mill Rd Suite 100 Palo Alto, CA 94306 United States Tel: +1 650 543 3180 Fax: +1 650 327 2522 Website: www.innovationcenterdenmark.com Email: info@innovationcenterdenmark.com
Facilitate, connect, innovate!
Innovation Center Denmark is a new type of commercial mission located in technological hot spots around the world. The Center in Silicon Valley is a pilot project tasked with creating a sustainable, innovative business model. Innovation Center Denmark facilitates the entry of technology based Danish companies into Silicon Valley, connects research, capital and companies and innovates business models and market strategies. Innovation Center Denmark is a joint effort between The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
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