Kristiansand entrepreneurs win award for AI solution for diabetics

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Entrepreneurial company Varde wants to help diabetics live a simpler life through new technological solutions. Founder Aleksander Laursen, who himself lives with diabetes, presented his solution together with co-founder Sondre Simensen Bergane during the final of the Sustainable Business Idea Competition 2024.

The final was held during the DNB NXT/Sustainable Business Idea Competition event in Kristiansand. The event was this year's Techpoint track for entrepreneurship with StartUps, growth companies, investors and established businesses. Approximately 150 spectators with investors, entrepreneurs, innovation enthusiasts from the rest of the business community and funding agencies were gathered at Kunstsilo.

- "The competition is part of Business Region Kristiansand's efforts to promote entrepreneurship in the region, connect environments and increase the chance of realization, success and business development," says advisor Stein Otto G. Daatland.

As winners, Varde will be awarded up to NOK 150,000 in support for further investment. The partners behind the competition are Kristiansand Municipality through Business Region Kristiansand, DNB, BDO and Agder County Council. Varde competed against GADR, which develops solutions to make it easier for homeowners to take good energy measures, and Vigi systems, which creates solutions for monitoring critical infrastructure for electricity and telecommunications.

For DNB, innovation is also an important focus area. Business advisor Christian Arntzen informed about the opportunities that DNB NXT Accelerator represents for early-stage tech companies. There is now an application deadline of September 19.

- "Collaboration to create meeting places like DNB NXT/Sustainable Business Idea Competition is very important. We want to be the link between capital expertise and the good ideas," says advisor for the corporate market and organizer of DNB NXT, Christian Arntzen in DNB.

The event included speakers such as Rolf Assev from Startuplab. He has helped Norwegian tech companies through his role as founder and partner in Startuplab - and helped invest in more than 300 of them. With expertise from his long experience, the audience was given a number of learning points to take with them when he explained what separates those who succeed from those who do not.

Didrik Fjeldstad, Brand and Marketing Director at the Confederation of Danish Industry and board member of the Kristiansand-based investment company Oxidane Venture, provided inspiration on the importance of branding. Furthermore, Attorney Harry Tunheim from BDO presented useful tips on tax issues for start-ups. Finally, Investment Manager Tone Kvåle from Skagerak Capital gave an introduction to what professional investors look for in start-up companies.