/ Realize your dreams in Southern Norway

One of Norway's leading environments for entrepreneurs can be found in the Kristiansand region.
- We have great ambitions and facilitate those who want to start up. The close collaboration between entrepreneurs, business, academia, public enterprises and cultural life strengthens entrepreneurs in all sectors, says Geir Askvik Haugum, head of Business Region Kristiansand.

The region and the capital of Southern Norway have a broad entrepreneurial apparatus that facilitates business and innovative actors.
- We want to have a world-class entrepreneurial and development environment, and we are well on our way," says Haugum.

World-class industry
The Kristiansand region has a long tradition of industry and international trade with strong competence environments in offshore, drilling, ICT, process industry and artificial intelligence. The region is one of the country's leaders in energy and technology, with industry clusters and businesses developing world-class high-tech solutions.
- Large, natural hydropower resources, a leading power group and a pioneering solar cell industry provide a tailwind for innovation and sustainable value creation for the future," says the industry chief.

A range of opportunities
There are many arenas in the region where entrepreneurs can present, develop and test their ideas. Haugum highlights the innovation company and incubator Innoventus Sør, which assists entrepreneurs with the commercialization of sustainable innovative ideas. Etablerersenter Vest-Agder offers courses and advice for anyone who wants to set up their own business, and many of the city's entrepreneurs are gathered in the entrepreneurial house CoWorx. The latter hosts Gründerhub, a free start-up program where entrepreneurs, regardless of industry, are given a golden opportunity to develop their ideas.

At Makerspace Norway, Norway's largest makerspace, young growth companies can access machines and equipment to develop prototypes and start small-scale production. The FutureMat catapult center has equipment and expertise for companies that want to test new materials technology. In addition, the region has a world-leading center for innovation, piloting and technology qualification in mechatronics and other related fields at the Mechatronics Innovation Lab.

 - Financing is always a challenge for entrepreneurs or young start-ups, but the region has several actors that provide opportunities to access capital. Connect helps to connect entrepreneurs with private investors, and Innoventus Sør and Skagerak Maturo have various seed funds. In addition, there is one of the Nordic region's leading crowdfunding environments at the University of Agder," says Haugum.

Lots of exciting things going on
The university's innovation initiative has given students and staff a better apparatus for working on their ideas. It's paying off. DropTech is a company that will contribute to more accurate injection of chemicals through pipes, initially in the oil and gas industry. Ripple Aerospace will provide logistics to space and is nearing the test launch of its prototype rocket. Anzys Technologies uses artificial intelligence to enable computers to read, interpret and understand text.

 - "It is exciting to see new technology and ground-breaking ideas that can become new businesses and the industries of the future," says Haugum, citing several examples.

One of them is Foamrox. They have developed a new material combination that replaces concrete in tunnels in an environmentally friendly way. Morild of Norway combines design and function and develops reflective fashion clothing, while Picture IT is doing well in interior and design. The industry chief points out that several conditions are conducive to innovation, renewal and entrepreneurship.

 - When we also have a rich cultural offer, vibrant city life and proximity to the sea and the heath, it gives room for recreation, but also for creativity and innovation," Haugum concludes.