Read article in Norwegian NATO's Innovation Fund - NIF is a key component of NATO's focus on technology and innovation. The fund has a total size of 1 billion euros over 15 years and invests in technologies that could be crucial in future military operations. The Norwegian share is approximately 400 million Norwegian kroner. Recently, a number of Trondheim's ocean technology companies have received visits from the fund. They exclusively invest in research-based startups in deep tech, aiming to be a significant source of investment for Norway's high-tech industry. Visit at Oceantech Innovation. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Ocean Autonomy Cluster Can create at least 1000 more jobs Our mission is capacity building, to build local capacity within 'deep tech', says Thorsten Claus, who leads NIF's fund-of-funds platform in NATO's Innovation Fund. If there is indeed a cluster of interest that we can finance, where we have startups that we can fund, it will create a gravity like an accelerator. This will automatically create at least 1000 more jobs in the region, he says. Not only that, it will be a huge inspiration for everyone working at the university to see that there is a career path in 'dual use of deep tech' and ocean technology, says Claus. The visit is an important contribution to positioning the technology community in Trondheim, says Anders Aune at NTNU Technology Transfer. We get to showcase that we have an area where we have incredibly exciting research and knowledge-based startups that can be attractive for NATO's Innovation Fund. Anders Aune, NTNU Technology Transfer. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Ocean Autonomy Cluster We particularly want to showcase an area where Norway and Trondheim excel, which is ocean technology. Here, we have around twenty to thirty startup companies and some major end customers, as well as larger players like Kongsberg Group. We have also been able to demonstrate that we have infrastructure and facilities for testing both in labs, visually and digitally, and physical testing in pools, ports, and fjords, says Aune. Thorsten Claus, NATO's Innovation Fund. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Ocean Autonomy Cluster Ohh man, that’s gold. That’s amazing! The most important thing we've seen today is the phenomenal collaboration. NIF only invests in great teams, and teamwork is, of course, a matter of collaboration. What we've seen today are perfect examples: How many startup companies exchange ideas and technologies and find commercial engagement with each other? They share customer information. They share experiences about the customers, how they buy, what they buy, and when they buy. Oh, man, that’s gold. That’s amazing! Photo gallery from the visit Photos by Lars Bugge Aarset/Ocean Autonomy Cluster
Norwegian world-leading robot technology is now ready for the next step. The technology is so advanced that NASA has contacted NTNU in Trondheim to collaborate. We are working on autonomy, self-governing intelligent underwater vehicles that can contribute to making it more efficient and lead to greater understanding of what is happening in the ocean area and provide faster response times, says Professor Martin Ludvigsen from AURLAB and the MMarin teknikk NTNUat NTNU. The most advanced of these is the snake robot from Eelume AS. Read TV2's report from when Minister of Research and Higher Education, Oddmund L. Hoel, visited the center (Norwegian).
Eelume robots leverage 10 years of experience in advancing cutting-edge technology, providing environmentally sustainable solutions for addressing critical tasks in the ocean space. Eelume is member of Ocean Autonomy Cluster. The technology disrupts conventional approaches to ocean space mapping, subsea inspection, and presence. Eelume's Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) function as robotic arms with slender, flexible bodies capable of traversing long distances, conducting traditional surveys, accessing confined spaces beyond the reach of conventional underwater vehicles, and performing various tasks due to their flexible design. Beyond standard AUV operations, Eelume systems are engineered to reside permanently underwater, enabling 24/7 mobilization irrespective of weather conditions. This continuous, rapid response, and flexible capability near subsea installations or areas of interest contribute to sustainable, safer, and more cost-effective ocean space operations. Thomas Nygaard, CEO of Eelume OAC allows us to share our knowledge and technology Thomas Nygaard is CEO of Eelume. He says: “In the face of significant societal challenges related to marine life, transportation safety, energy, security, and other aspects of ocean space, no single solution exists; collaboration is key. Joining the Ocean Autonomy Cluster allows us to share our knowledge and technology with a vast network of industry leaders, fostering strong synergies to play pivotal roles in addressing current and future challenges. Despite Norway's relatively small size, the nation boasts a substantial portfolio of key technologies and players in ocean space. Through collaborative efforts, we reinforce and advance our robust maritime heritage”, Nygaard says. We are proud to have Eelume as a member, and they already have a strong collaboration with several members in the cluster, says Frode Halvorsen, who leads the Ocean Autonomy cluster. The Eelume About Eelume Eelume was established in 2015 as a spin-off from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). After a decade of research on snake robots in collaboration with the research organization SINTEF it was decided to pursue use of the technology within subsea applications.
Trondheim, a city with a rich technological legacy, is poised to establish Nyhavna as Norway's answer to Silicon Valley. A strategic initiative is now unveiled. Eighteen maritime stakeholders are coming together to establish the Strategic Forum for Nyhavna. The ambition is to develop a world-leading ocean technology community at Nyhavna. Trondheim has a historic opportunity to create Norway's Silicon Harbor on Nyhavna, a pivotal part of Trondheim's evolution as a technology capital. The strategic importance of Nyhavna cannot be overstated. It is not merely a harbor; it is a crucible of innovation, a convergence of established enterprises and startups, all dedicated to advancing maritime technology. The formation of the Strategic Forum for Nyhavna is a testament to the urgency of consolidating this vibrant ecosystem and elevating its visibility in both societal discourse and the developmental processes surrounding Nyhavna. From the opening of NYNU Nyhavna. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset The initiative stems from the desire to gather and promote the interests of marine technology, maritime industry, and related actors at Nyhavna. It is high time that the technology community associated with Nyhavna unites and highlights the ongoing developments, innovations, and value creation. This community needs a clear voice in societal discussions and the processes surrounding Nyhavna's development. The Strategic Forum for Nyhavna aims to secure the interests of ocean technology, maritime industry, and adjacent stakeholders at Nyhavna, working towards making it the world's leading area for ocean technology. From the opening of NTNU Nyhavna. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset Nyhavna boasts a robust ocean technology community with a mix of established companies and startups. This is something we need to build upon, says Frode Halvorsen of Ocean Autonomy Cluster. Ocean technology is crucial in the technology capital, and it requires access to quaysides and the fjord. Trondheimsfjorden, established as the world's first test area for autonomous vessels, he adds. The city council has been explicit in its commitment to facilitating business and industry at Nyhavna. This commitment is part of the rationale behind presenting a dedicated business program for the area, scheduled for consideration by the city council next year. The focus is on securing the natural place of ocean technology at Nyhavna. Since the adoption of the municipal plan in 2016, the presence of ocean technology companies has significantly increased, with many of them finding a home in Nyhavna. Here, they have access to quaysides and the fjord, essential for their continued development. Additionally, there is increased activity from NTNU, involving both students and researchers. The opening of NTNU Nyhavna this summer demonstrated the considerable interest in the innovation environment here. Background/Facts The Strategic Forum for Nyhavna comprises 18 key stakeholders. Its purpose is to safeguard the interests of ocean technology, maritime industry, and related stakeholders on Nyhavna, working towards establishing Nyhavna as the world's leading area for maritime technology. The objectives include communication and profiling of ocean technology actors on Nyhavna, maintaining an ongoing dialogue with policymakers, administration, and other stakeholders, and actively contributing to reports and processes crucial for Nyhavna's development. Key Forum Participants NTNU Fremtidens Industri AS Blueye Robotics AS OceanTech Innovation AS Eelume AS Zeabuz AS BOA Offshore AS Innovation JBA AS Skarv Technologies AS Selfa Arctic AS Vitensenteret Water Linked AS Ocean Access AS Maritime Robotics Norbit Oceans Trondheim Havn IKS Clean Sea Solutions AS SentiSystems AS As the Strategic Forum for Nyhavna embarks on this transformative journey, it signals not just the potential for economic prosperity but the emergence of Nyhavna as a global beacon for maritime technology innovation.