About Thomas Hørup
I've spent my career leading early-stage innovation at companies like Nokia, Coloplast, GN Hearing, and Ferrosan Medical Devices. Throughout these roles, I've learned that successful innovation isn't just about great ideas—it's about making sure you are solving the right problem, navigating the uncertainty of early product development, testing the right assumptions, and bringing together the right multidisciplinary teams to turn concepts into products people actually want.
I work with companies and startups at the critical early stages where the landscape is uncertain and getting the problem definition right matters most. I also mentor the next generation of innovators through DTU Skylab, Conflux Mentoring and Open Entrepreneurship.
How I Work
My approach combines three essential elements:
Engineering
I dig into the technology to understand what's possible, what's practical, and what matters. This technical grounding means I can bridge the gap between engineering teams and business stakeholders.
Human Insight
I put real users at the centre of every decision. Through research, testing, and conversation, I make sure we're solving problems people actually have — not the ones we assume they do.
Structure
I bring just enough process to keep momentum without killing creativity. Clear milestones, the right team, and a framework that adapts as you learn — so ideas actually become products.
When to Contact Me
Navigate Uncertainty
The early phases are where decisions shape everything that follows. I bring 25+ years of innovation experience to help you make strategic choices when the landscape is uncertain and the stakes are high.
Test Assumptions
Before investing heavily, you need to know you're solving the right problem. I help you design experiments, talk to users, and challenge assumptions—so you build what people actually need, not what you think they need.
Build Teams
I help you identify the skills you need, bring the right people together, and foster the collaboration that delivers breakthrough products.
Guide Teams
You have a project starting, but the path isn't clear yet. I'll work with your team to navigate from concept to validated direction—bringing structure without losing the exploratory mindset that early-stage work requires.
Secure Buy-In
I help you build the business case and strategic narrative that gets executive commitment. When innovation projects need C-level support and resources, I ensure leadership understands the opportunity and the path forward.
Bridge Disciplines
Engineering, design, and business often talk past each other. I connect the disciplines—translating between technical possibilities, user needs, and commercial realities so your team moves forward together.
Selected Projects
Nokia 6230
Led the mechanics team from initial concept through global manufacturing ramp-up. We
fulfilled the industrial design vision while ensuring manufacturability, cost
optimisation, and robustness.
Launched February 2004.
Nokia Strategic Cross-functional Innovation
Led projects and team in a cross-functional innovation studio exploring future user experiences and emerging technologies for mobile devices. The team combined engineering, user experience design, and rapid prototyping to develop concepts that shaped Nokia's product roadmap. Projects included mobile TV interfaces, location-based services integration, and social imaging features.
Coloplast Contend
Led a front-end innovation project redefining urinary incontinence management for
men. By putting user needs ahead of conventional business models, we developed a
concept so compelling that the business unit changed its business model to preserve
the product's appeal.
Launched February 2022, awarded two Red Dot Design
Awards.
Coloplast Flex Set
Led development of a line extension for Coloplast's SpeediCath Flex Set, integrating
a urine bag for use away from a toilet. User research revealed competitor bags were
messy to empty, so we designed a tearline and handles for controlled, hygienic
emptying.
Launched November 2022.
GN Hearing Nexia Custom Hearing Aid
Led concept development of key elements of the complete ReSound Nexia custom hearing
aid solution, combining personalised physical fit with mass production efficiency. I
bridged with the development team in China and created a world-first charging
concept with personalised chargers.
Launched June 2022.
GN Hearing Nexia micro-RIE
Led concept development of ReSound Nexia micro-RIE, the smallest receiver-in-ear
hearing aid on the market at launch. Despite its compact size, the device maintained
full functionality.
Launched October 2023.
Beyond Work
I co-host Gråt Brændbart, a Danish podcast where two middle-aged men rummage through life's dumpster - carefully sorting what's worth recycling and sending the rest to the incinerator.
I also build apps - Elspot helps Danish consumers time their electricity use to save money and CO₂, and WellSpot turns an iPad into a pipetting guide for lab work.
When the skies are clear, I photograph the night sky. You can see my astrophotography on AstroBin.