Les saken på norsk SpareBank 1 SMN plays an important role in strengthening the Norwegian ocean technology and autonomy ecosystem in Trondheim and the Trøndelag region. Through support for industry meeting places, internationalization initiatives, and scaling of dual-use technology companies, the bank helps connect research, industry, and international stakeholders across the region. – The bank’s role is to help create more activity in the region where we live, enabling companies to meet, build networks, and together create growth and more jobs in Central Norway, says Knut Eilif Halgunset. International collaboration and growth A recent American delegation focused on ocean technology and maritime defense technology visited Trondheim as part of Trade Mission Norway, a program connecting international companies with Norway’s autonomy ecosystem. The visit is part of a broader initiative focused on collaboration in maritime autonomy, sensor technology, and unmanned systems, where Trondheim is highlighted as one of the world’s leading environments for development and testing. Eelume underwater drone together with Zeabuz’s Zea Falkon in the Nyhavna harbor basin. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri The program is organized through a collaboration between TMA BlueTech and Ocean Autonomy Cluster, giving American companies access to Norwegian research institutions, technology companies, and test facilities in the Trondheim Fjord. TMA BlueTech is a U.S.-based cluster organization headquartered in San Diego and is an important partner for Ocean Autonomy Cluster. The collaboration serves as a bridge between industry, research, and government, with a focus on accelerating the development and commercialization of ocean technology within autonomy, ocean data, and maritime defense and security solutions. The partnership also provides American companies with access to one of the world’s leading environments for developing and testing autonomous maritime systems. – Norway has built an exceptional ecosystem around maritime technology, ocean monitoring, and autonomous systems, and Trondheim is one of the most interesting environments we have seen for applied collaboration, says Matt Classen. Matt Classen from TMA BlueTech testing an underwater drone from Maritime Robotics together with Christian Gabrielsen and Svein Olav Munkeby. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Trondheim as a global test arena for autonomy Trondheim and the Trøndelag region have established themselves as one of the world’s most advanced environments for ocean autonomy. The region combines strong research communities at Norwegian University of Science and Technology and SINTEF with a growing industrial ecosystem within ocean robotics, sensors, and unmanned maritime systems. The Trondheim Fjord serves as a central test arena where new autonomous solutions can be developed, verified, and scaled in realistic operational environments. This makes the region particularly attractive for international stakeholders seeking access to operational testing and applied research. Mariner sea drone from Maritime Robotics. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri International interest in Norwegian expertise According to SpareBank 1 SMN, visits like these are about more than technology. They are about building connections between stakeholders who otherwise might never meet. – There is strong technology here, highly skilled people, and research communities capable of transforming research into companies and solutions the world actually needs. It is a truly unique competence environment in Central Norway that we naturally want to support, says Halgunset. A strong supporter SpareBank 1 SMN is one of the largest financial groups in Central Norway and is headquartered in Trondheim. The bank is part of the SpareBank 1 Alliance and provides banking, financing, savings, investment, and insurance services to both private and corporate customers. In addition to its commercial operations, the bank also has a clear regional development role through its community dividend model. Through this initiative, the bank invests in socially beneficial projects related to innovation, business development, culture, and competence building across the region. For several years, SpareBank 1 SMN has been an important supporter of industry clusters, technology environments, and growth companies in Central Norway, particularly within ocean technology, energy, and defense. The initiative is focused on strengthening the connection between research, industry, and capital, enabling more companies to scale internationally from the region. Øyvind Smogeli presenting Zeabuz’s remote operations center (ROC) to the American delegation. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Developing the technology ecosystem SpareBank 1 SMN contributes to the development of the technology ecosystem through financial services, expertise, and support for meeting places and industry clusters. The bank supports initiatives such as the Dark Drones conference, internationalization activities, and the scaling of dual-use companies through the XLRTR program. – We have a community dividend fund that helps companies and people connect. In addition, as a bank we can contribute services, products, and expertise that many of these companies need, says Halgunset. He points out that the value of such initiatives lies in creating concrete connections between people, companies, and environments that otherwise would not necessarily meet. – It is about facilitating that the right people talk to the right people, and that this leads to concrete collaborations and agreements, he says. Ocean Autonomy Cluster manager Frode Halvorsen together with Håvar Øie from Maritime Robotics and Athavan Mahendran from NORTEK. Invaluable support – We are extremely grateful for the support and the excellent collaboration with SpareBank 1 SMN, says Frode Halvorsen. The support from SpareBank 1 SMN contributes to the Dark Drones event, internationalization efforts through Trade Mission Norway, and scaling of dual-use technology as part of the XLRTR program. – This support is instrumental in enabling several important activities, and the impact is significant for both member companies and the technology ecosystem, within both ocean technology and defense, Halvorsen adds. Read also: American companies explore Trondheim’s ocean technology ecosystem