What NINA does

NINA (Norsk institutt for naturforskning / Norwegian Institute for Nature Research) is an independent research foundation, established in 1988 and headquartered in Trondheim, Norway, with regional offices in Oslo, Tromsø, Lillehammer and Bergen, plus specialized facilities including the Ims salmon research station in Rogaland and the Sæterfjellet arctic fox breeding station in Oppdal. The organization conducts interdisciplinary nature research combining natural sciences and social sciences, delivering research, environmental monitoring, advisory services, impact assessments and evaluation for clients across public administration (e.g., Norwegian Environment Agency), the Research Council of Norway, the EU, and industry (hydropower, wind power, aquaculture, construction). It employs an estimated 251–500 people.

Technically, NINA operates a portfolio of specialized field-research services, decision-support software tools and genetic/laboratory capabilities rather than a single unified platform. Notable components include environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis via qPCR/ddPCR and metabarcoding through its NINAGEN biodiversity genetics laboratory; ROBIN 3D MAX mobile bird radar (Fugleradar); acoustic monitoring with AI-based species identification; camera-trap computer vision; electrofishing boats; salmon scale-pattern analysis; and spatial decision tools such as ConSite (renewable-energy siting) and MARCIS (cumulative marine impacts on seabirds). It also runs data infrastructure (Living Norway Ecological Data Network) and predictive population modeling. A long-term monitoring dataset — including a scale archive exceeding 100 years — underpins these capabilities.

Commercially, NINA operates as an independent foundation funded primarily through commissioned research contracts and grants from the Research Council of Norway, the EU (Horizon Europe), Norwegian public administration, and private-sector clients; professional services are largely quote-based via direct negotiation and project contracts. A minor consumer-facing revenue stream comes from published fact books (NINA Faktabøker) priced at roughly 100–450 NOK per unit and educational products. The organization holds ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications and is governed by a board chaired by Tord Lien, with Managing Director Norunn S. Myklebust leading operations supported by a central management team of area and research directors.

Name

NINA

Legal name

Norsk institutt for naturforskning

Website

https://nina.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

NINA is an independent Norwegian research foundation conducting interdisciplinary ecological research, environmental monitoring, impact assessment and advisory services for government agencies, the Research Council of Norway, the EU, and industry clients in energy, aquaculture and construction.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ecological Research Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

EIA/ESIA Documentation & Technical Studies (Air/Water/Noise/Traffic) (EUAHAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Stakeholder Engagement, Indigenous/Tribal Consultation & Social Impact (SIA) (EUAHAAAH), Remote Sensing & Earth Observation Analytics (Satellite/UAV/LiDAR, Image Processing) (EUAHAKAD), Satellite Imagery & Monitoring Platforms (AFAAAFAI)

Keywords

• Ecological research services
• Biodiversity monitoring
• Environmental DNA analysis
• Wildlife research
• Nature conservation consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Trondheim

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NINA (Norsk institutt for naturforskning) is an independent research foundation that conducts interdisciplinary research on nature and the interaction between nature and society. The organization delivers applied research, environmental monitoring, expert advisory services, and evaluation work for Norwegian and international clients, alongside proprietary decision-support tools (ConSite, MARCIS), genetic and eDNA analysis services (NINAGEN), field research services (electric fishing boat, bird radar), and ecological data infrastructure (Living Norway). The organization also publishes educational materials, fact books, and scientific reports.

Product overview

NINA (Norsk institutt for naturforskning) is an independent research foundation offering a portfolio of research services, monitoring tools, and digital platforms for nature and environmental management. The portfolio spans specialized field research services (Elfiskebåt, Fugleradar, Miljø-DNA), decision-support software tools (ConSite, MARCIS tool, Sårbarhetsvurdering), genetic analysis services (NINAGEN, Skjellprøver), ecological data infrastructure (Living Norway, Naturdata og digitale metoder), and public education/outreach products (Faktabøker og plakater, MoseVis, Myrtassen). Key research areas driving the product portfolio include species and ecosystem monitoring, environmental solutions, and social research. No unified software platform — the offering is a collection of specialized research services, software tools, and published educational resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Living Norway: Living Norway Ecological Data Network - facilitates open, verifiable and transparent sharing, use and reuse of ecological data
• NINAGEN
• NINA Innovasjonssenter
• ConSite
• MARCIS

Quantifiable outcome

• Norway lost approximately 260 km² of nature from 2018-2024
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability12 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• CICERO Senter for klimaforskningcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026NINA and CICERO are collaborating partners in the NaturAktsomhet project, which aims to make knowledge about natural values accessible before development is financed. CICERO provides climate research expertise to help integrate nature considerations into financial sector decision-making.
• SABIMAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026SABIMA is an environmental organization working to stop the loss of biodiversity. They collaborate with NINA in the NaturAktsomhet project to make it easier for the banking and finance sector to be cautious about natural values mapped by volunteer organizations before investment decisions are made.
• Holt & WingecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Law firm Holt & Winge contributes legal expertise on nature diversity law requirements for due diligence in the NaturAktsomhet project, helping to frame the legal framework for nature awareness in development financing.
• Eika GruppencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Eika Gruppen is a banking group representing savings banks that provides financial sector perspective and user needs for nature awareness systems in capital and risk assessments in the NaturAktsomhet project.
• Kartverket (Norwegian Mapping Authority)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Kartverket provides mapping database solutions and expertise in standardizing and presenting nature awareness maps in national databases, enabling integration of nature data into property registers used by banks for credit assessments.
• NTNU Technology Transfer Office (NTNU TTO)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026NTNU TTO provides expertise in commercialization, rights, and further development of research-based ideas emerging from NINA's innovation activities. The collaboration supports NINA's innovation center in bringing research knowledge into practical use.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NIVA (Norwegian Institute for Water Research): Norway's leading water and aquatic environment research institute, also a nonprofit foundation based in Oslo. Direct peer in mission, structure, funding model (Research Council, EU, public sector), and customer base.
• NILU (Norwegian Institute for Air Research): Norwegian nonprofit research institute specializing in atmospheric and air quality research. Direct institutional peer with similar foundation structure, Norwegian public-sector clients, and EU research orientation.
• IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute: Sweden's leading environmental research institute, also a nonprofit foundation. Closest Nordic peer with comparable applied environmental research, sustainability consulting, and circular economy work.
• SYKE (Finnish Environment Institute): Finnish government research institute under the Ministry of the Environment, providing environmental monitoring, assessment, and biodiversity research. Direct Nordic peer with similar mandate and EU/regional funding reliance.
• Aarhus University - Department of Ecoscience (formerly DCE): Denmark's national center for environment, energy, and climate research, operating the national monitoring programs. Comparable applied research institute with similar scale and government-funded biodiversity/monitoring mandate.

Broad incumbents

• Wageningen Environmental Research (WUR): Larger Dutch research institute within Wageningen University, covering environmental monitoring, biodiversity, and nature-based solutions. Broader and more international, with strong public-private partnership orientation.
• UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH): UK's major independent center for ecological and hydrological research. Larger and more international than NINA, but with directly comparable research areas in biodiversity, hydrology, and environmental monitoring.
• SINTEF: Norway's largest independent research institute, covering multiple disciplines including environmental technology and ocean space. Overlaps with NINA on research council funding pool and Norwegian applied research agenda, with board representation in NINA.

Emerging players

• NatureMetrics: UK-based commercial eDNA and biodiversity monitoring company. Directly overlaps with NINA's NINAGEN/eDNA services but is productizing the workflow with standardized kits and SaaS deliverables, with venture backing.
• Ramboll Environment & Health: Global engineering and environmental consulting firm with growing Nordic environmental impact assessment and renewable energy siting practice. Competes with NINA on EIA and ConSite-relevant wind/grid permitting work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NINAforskning

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries5 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 NINA