Bridging the Gap: HackYourFuture Copenhagen and the Path to Tech Inclusion

When I first met Helena Birkholm at TechBBQ 2024, her energy and passion for social impact were immediately evident. As the Managing Director of HackYourFuture Copenhagen, Helena leads an initiative that empowers individuals who face significant barriers to education and employment in Denmark. Founded in the Netherlands, HackYourFuture has since expanded across Europe, including Denmark, Belgium, Spain, and the UK.

Denmark’s highly network-driven job market makes it difficult for newcomers to integrate—even when they possess the right skills. HackYourFuture connects talent with a community of mentors, tech professionals, and companies that might otherwise be out of reach.

A Program Designed for Those Who Need It Most

HackYourFuture is not a general career change program but specifically supports asylum seekers, refugees, and international individuals who, for various reasons, struggle to access Denmark’s education system or job market. This includes international spouses or those seeking family reunification but does not typically extend to expats who already have access to universities and other opportunities.

During the selection process, multiple factors are considered, such as:

• English proficiency
• Residency status
• Unemployment
• Underemployment (e.g., an engineer working in a supermarket)
• Individual life stories (e.g., addressing stigmas that might prevent employment)

By maintaining a diverse mix of ages, residency statuses, educational backgrounds, experience levels, and nationalities, HackYourFuture ensures its resources reach those who need them most while also maximizing the chances of successful employment outcomes.

A Curriculum Built by the Industry, for the Industry

One of the most impressive aspects of HackYourFuture is its dynamic, industry-driven curriculum. The program is structured as an eight-month intensive boot camp, where trainees commit to 30 hours of self-study per week, submit assignments, and attend weekly Sunday sessions. The curriculum remains open-source and is continuously updated by tech industry professionals to keep pace with evolving trends.

Unlike traditional academic programs, HackYourFuture emphasizes hands-on learning and collaboration. Trainees are treated not as students but as professionals in training, taking ownership of their education. Mentors—many of whom are HackYourFuture alumni—bring real-world workplace challenges into the classroom to foster problem-solving skills.

From Learning to Employment: Success Stories and Industry Impact

HackYourFuture’s impact is clear. To date, 282 individuals have completed the program, and 242 have successfully secured jobs in Denmark’s tech industry—an impressive 86% success rate. Companies that hire from HackYourFuture often return to recruit more graduates, recognizing the program as a reliable source of diverse, well-trained talent.

While diversity conversations in tech often focus on gender representation, Helena highlighted the importance of diversity of experience. Many trainees bring skills from previous careers—whether in hospitality, education, or customer service—that translate into valuable problem-solving and communication skills in tech roles.

Expanding Tracks and Future Growth

HackYourFuture continues to expand its offerings. The program is actively developing specialized tracks to meet the evolving demands of the industry:

• Data Tracks (ongoing)
• Google AI Opportunity Fund: A new AI track launching soon
• DTU Compute Partnership: Focused on continuing education in AI & Operations
• QA Track (currently running in partnership with Merkle)

These new tracks align with industry needs and ensure that HackYourFuture remains a crucial player in developing Denmark’s tech talent.

As HackYourFuture continues to grow, it remains committed to ensuring that companies think of HackYourFuture first when they seek diverse tech talent. There are numerous ways to support the initiative, such as mentorship, hiring graduates, or corporate partnerships.

As Helena succinctly put it:

“Any contribution is valuable. Just reach out, and we can figure out how.”

At a time when the tech industry is calling for more inclusion, HackYourFuture is not only answering that call but leading the way.