What Impact StartUp does

Impact StartUp (legal entity: Impact StartUp Norge AS) is a Norwegian private limited company headquartered in Oslo that operates as a digital incubator, accelerator, and equity investor for impact-driven entrepreneurs. Founded in 2018, the organization targets social enterprises and impact-first startups that solve societal challenges through sustainable business models, addressing the structural gap of being "too commercial for foundations and too social for investors." Its core product surface consists of two programs: the Digital Inkubator, a flexible token-based membership program accepting 12 companies per intake and relaunched in June 2026; and the annual Akseleratorprogram, a structured 3-camp program selecting 10 startups per cohort to receive 1 million NOK in equity investment via an impact note structure. Add-on modules (Salgs-dypdykk, Pitche-dypdykk) and self-service learning packages (impact measurement, sales, investment readiness) extend the offering, all delivered through a proprietary member platform at app.impactstartup.no.

The business model is non-fee-based for founders: the incubator is free for accepted members, and the accelerator provides equity investment rather than charging tuition. Revenue (undisclosed) is derived from a diversified base of foundation and municipal partners — including Sparebankstiftelsen DNB, Sparebankstiftelsen Telemark, Oslo kommune, Stiftelsen Kaare Berg, Klaveness Stiftelsen, and Sparebank1 Stiftelsen Østfold Akershus — plus the Impact StartUp Investment Community of six financial partners led by founding partner Ferd Sosiale Entreprenører. Deloitte provides pro bono legal and financial advisory (1,300+ hours since 2019). Customer acquisition is community-led and event-driven, with 170 applications received for the autumn 2025 cohort (22 shortlisted, 10 selected), supplemented by a national impact ambassadors network, Oslo Innovation Week presence, content marketing, and partner referrals. The company's stated growth target is to invest in 30 startups over the next three years, signaling a measured expansion in capital deployment and program reach within its single-country Norwegian market.

Name

Impact StartUp

Legal name

Impact StartUp Norge AS

Website

https://impactstartup.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Impact StartUp is a Norwegian digital incubator, accelerator, and equity investor serving impact-driven startups. It runs a free Digital Inkubator (12 companies per intake) and an annual accelerator investing 1 MNOK each in 10 startups, funded by foundations, municipalities, and a financial partner community led by Ferd Sosiale Entreprenører.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Incubation and Acceleration

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Impact / ESG Venture Capital (FSANAAAG), Impact Investing (Intentional, Measurable Social/Environmental Outcomes) (FSAAALAC)

Keywords

• Startup accelerator programs
• Impact entrepreneurship
• Equity investment funding
• Digital incubator services
• Social venture support

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Incubator membership (free): The digital incubator is provided free of charge to selected member startups. The program is funded by partner organizations (foundations, corporations, and municipalities) who co-support the initiative.
2. Accelerator investment and program delivery: Each accelerator cohort selects 10 startups that receive 1 million NOK in investment (equity) upon program completion, funded through the Impact StartUp Investment Community. Revenue is not directly generated; the model is a combination of investment returns from portfolio companies and partner contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Impact StartUp is a digital incubator, accelerator, and equity investor for early-stage impact-driven startups in Norway. The organization runs a token-based Digital Inkubator taking in 12 companies per intake, alongside an annual Accelerator Program that selects 10 startups per cohort and invests 1 million NOK (approximately 100,000 USD) in equity into each. Programs are delivered via a proprietary member platform and supported by specialized business developers in sales, impact measurement, finance, and investor relations.

Product overview

Impact StartUp operates a platform-plus-programs model combining a digital member platform with structured accelerator and incubator programs. The core offerings are the Digital Inkubator (a flexible, token-based incubator launched June 2026) and the annual Akseleratorprogram med investering (which provides 1 million NOK investment to 10 selected startups). Supplementary add-on deep-dive modules include Salgs-dypdykk and Pitche-dypdykk (both 4-week intensive programs accessible via the incubator). Self-service learning packages — Mål samfunnseffekt, Tjen penger, and Bli investeringsklar — are available through the Verktøy (Tools) section. The Skills 2 Grow program provides hiring support, and public/member events (Impact Break, workshops, deep-dive series) are offered both digitally and physically. The investment arm (Impact StartUp Investment) deploys 1 million NOK per company through an impact note structure. All programs and the member platform are delivered through a proprietary platform at app.impactstartup.no.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Digital Inkubator A flexible, free digital incubator program for early-stage impact entrepreneurs in Norway, taking in 12 companies per intake. Members are matched with a personal mentor and use an impact-token system to book expert sessions, workshops, and deep-dive programs on the proprietary member platform at app.impactstartup.no. Targets founders at the idea, tested payment willingness, and early paying customers stages.
• Akseleratorprogram med investering (Accelerator Program with Investment) Annual accelerator program selecting 10 startups per cohort to receive 1 million NOK in equity investment (approximately 100,000 USD) upon program completion, delivered through a dedicated investment community. Includes intensive workshops across three camps, dedicated business developers in sales/impact measurement/finance/investor relations, and culminates in a Demo Day pitching event for the curated investor network.

Quantifiable outcome

• 170 companies applied for autumn 2025 accelerator program, demonstrating strong demand
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DeloittecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDeloitte provides pro bono legal and financial advisory to impact startups through Impact StartUp. Since 2019, Deloitte has contributed over 1,300 hours of guidance. Each year, a selected group of companies participates in a Deloitte Day with full legal and financial review, followed by 10 hours of dedicated advisory from a Deloitte team. Areas covered include shareholder agreements, employment law, contracts, accounting, and financial planning.
• Skills 2 GrowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA program referred to impact startup members for team building and hiring support. Through Skills 2 Grow, members get a personal business coach, access to workshops, courses, podcasts, and assistance throughout the hiring process from needs assessment to onboarding.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Acumen Accelerator: Global impact investor and accelerator supporting social enterprises with patient capital and leadership programs. Directly comparable in mission (impact-first investing) and accelerator structure, though at significantly larger geographic and capital scale.

Others

• Ferd Sosiale Entreprenører: Norwegian impact-investment unit and Impact StartUp's founding partner. Comparable as a Norwegian impact-investor vehicle but functions here primarily as a capital partner rather than a competing operator.

Direct peers

• Katapult Accelerator: Katapult operates impact-focused accelerators and a venture fund backing mission-driven startups globally. It is the closest international analog to Impact StartUp's combined incubator + accelerator + equity investment model for impact entrepreneurs.
• Unreasonable Group: Global impact accelerator running cohort-based programs for ventures tackling social and environmental challenges. Comparable in mission, cohort structure, and emphasis on capital + network access for impact entrepreneurs.
• NESsT: Impact enterprise accelerator that supports social enterprises in Central Europe and beyond with investment, mentorship, and a curated portfolio approach. Comparable as a mission-aligned accelerator backing both for-profit and non-profit impact ventures.
• Startuplab: Norway's leading tech startup accelerator and investor based in Oslo. Comparable as a domestic Norwegian accelerator that supports early-stage founders with investment, mentorship, and community — though focused on general tech rather than impact specifically.
• Antler Norway: Global early-stage accelerator with a Norwegian presence that invests in founding teams and supports them through structured programs. Directly comparable as a founder-focused accelerator combining program and capital deployment.

Emerging players

• Impact Hub Network: Global network of impact-focused incubators, coworking spaces, and accelerator programs. Comparable as an impact-startup community builder with programs supporting mission-driven entrepreneurs, though broader in scope and operating as a franchise model.

Regional players

• DNB NXT Accelerator: Corporate accelerator run by Norway's largest bank DNB, supporting Norwegian startups with mentorship and investor access. Comparable as a domestic accelerator but operating as a corporate initiative rather than an independent operator.
• Aleap: Norwegian health-tech accelerator and investor based in Oslo. Comparable as a Norwegian vertical-focused accelerator that combines program delivery with equity investment, though narrower in scope to health.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ImpactStartup.no
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/impact-startup-norge

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Impact StartUp