All roads lead to Denmark's capital city in September as 200 entrepreneurs come together for BRIGHT 2025, the annual gathering of the global creative industry. The event will also see the return of Creative Business Cup, the global startup competition in its 13^th year running.

The creative industries' most significant annual gathering, BRIGHT 2025 will take place in Copenhagen 14-16 September, bringing together over 200 entrepreneurs from 80 countries.  

BRIGHT 2025 is the Creative Business Network’s flagship event that will also host the 13th edition of the Creative Business Cup, where national winners from across the globe compete in the world's largest competition for creative and cultural entrepreneurs. Selected startups representing their home countries will pitch innovative solutions spanning fashion, design, media, gaming, arts and other creative sectors. Past winners have included San Franciso and Amsterdam co-located visual workspace for innovation Miro, now a global leader in enterprise collaboration applications; Finland’s Deafmetal, the brainchild of designer Jenni Ahtiainen whose cochlear implant jewellery design is currently on display at London’s Victoria and Albert museum; and Lisbon’s award-winning Miss Can.  

Setting the stage for creativity

The programme at BRIGHT 2025 will focus on real-world challenges facing creative businesses today, from digital transformation and sustainable practices to international market expansion and funding strategies. Past winners of Creative Business Cup and industry veterans will also share their insights gained from building successful creative enterprises in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.  

“We’ve planned the events around BRIGHT 2025 to reflect the expanding influence of creative industries across multiple sectors and the need for closer collaboration between actors,” said Rasmus Wiinstedt Tscherning, director and founder of Creative Business Network.  

With a strong focus on networking opportunities, the agenda for BRIGHT 2025 includes roundtable discussions, workshops and acceleration programmes over the course of three days (see here for more details). BRIGHT 2025 represents the culmination of a year-round global initiative that has identified and nurtured the most promising creative startups from over 80 countries.

The creative economy's Copenhagen moment

Copenhagen has become the natural home for this global gathering, representing the perfect intersection of creative innovation, sustainable development and international collaboration. The city's commitment to design, sustainability and entrepreneurship creates an ideal backdrop for conversations that will shape the future of creative industries.  

“As participants arrive from every corner of the globe, they'll find themselves part of something larger than a conference or competition. They'll be joining a community that recognises creativity as humanity's greatest asset for solving complex challenges and building a better future. That’s why we chose Copenhagen,” said Rasmus.