Les saken på norsk

SIVA got to experience the Nyhavna model in practice:
– This is one of the most complete innovation ecosystems in Norway, says Bjørn Arne Skogstad, Senior Advisor at SIVA.

When SIVA placed this year’s Catapult gathering at Nyhavna in Trondheim, representatives from across the national Catapult system gained close insight into how Fremtidens Industri and its partners work in an integrated way to develop and scale new technology. Catapults provide test infrastructure for companies developing new technologies and solutions.

Bjørn Arne Skogstad, Senior Advisor at SIVA. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

Through presentations and site visits, the delegation learned how clusters, incubators, catapults, business incubators, and real estate development interact, and how this interplay accelerates innovation and commercialization.

Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri 

Demonstrating how the instruments work together

– What is valuable about being here is seeing how the different instruments work together. We’ve been presented with projects, insights, and knowledge from the cluster programme, incubator, business incubator, catapult, and real estate development as a tool to stimulate innovation, says Kjersti Veum at SIVA.

She also highlights Trondheim’s strong international position:

– This is an area where we are far ahead globally. That is something we should be proud of, both in Trondheim and in Norway.

Kjersti Veum, SIVA. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri 

Showcasing the entire value chain

The day started at Trondheim Maritime Centre (TMS), where Testination and the OceanTech team presented how different actors coordinate around company needs. The ambitions for developing Nyhavna as a technology and innovation hub were also highlighted, before local companies presented their activities.

This was followed by an extensive tour, where participants visited companies such as SentiSystems, OceanTech, Eelume, Blueye Robotics, Ocean Access, and Zeabuz, in addition to several academic environments and Shore Control Lab at NTNU. The tour also included facilities such as Dora 2 and test areas along the quay at Nyhavna.

Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri 

A complete ecosystem

– The main purpose is for the catapults to get inspired, get to know each other, and learn from best practices. We call these interaction meetings, and they are about facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing, says Skogstad.

He highlights Nyhavna and Fremtidens Industri as particularly strong in a Norwegian context:

– What sets you apart is that you represent a complete ecosystem, one of the most complete in Norway. The interaction between cluster, incubator, catapult, and how you support companies from idea to industrialization and commercialization is very inspiring to see.

Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri 

Ripple effects

Skogstad also points to the dynamics that emerge over time:

– When companies succeed, they create new companies. You get a clear ripple effect. To me, this appears as an innovation cluster with short distances between test facilities, follow-up, research, and academia, creating a momentum comparable to leading international environments.

He also sees significant potential for further collaboration:

– I believe there is much to gain from closer cooperation between you and other catapults in Norway. There is strong potential there for both sides.

Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri 

Networks that lower the threshold

The Catapult gathering brought together representatives from Norway’s 12 catapults, along with actors from the public support system working with cluster and incubator programmes. The goal is to make test capacity and expertise more accessible to Norwegian industry, while strengthening connections between environments.

– The most important thing is to see what exists and how much expertise and equipment is actually available. Networking is also crucial. Once you know each other, the threshold for reaching out next time is much lower, says Veum.

Pictures from the visit

Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri 

Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri