Q3 Partners

What Q3 Partners does

Q3 Partners AS is a privately held Norwegian boutique consulting firm headquartered in the Eurekabygget building in Arendal, Norway (Org. nr. 918 588 000). It operates three service lines: Q3 Consulting (strategic advisory, project management, business intelligence/data analytics, Miljøfyrtårn sustainability consulting, and SkatteFUNN R&D funding application assistance), Q3 Event (full-service corporate event production with venue offerings centered on Arendalsuka), and Styreverv (board member and chair placement). Its flagship proprietary asset is the DigiFab Industri 5.0 framework — a multi-year developed methodology for digital transformation of SMB manufacturing companies, encompassing Navigator analysis, a six-month Forum program, digital maturity assessments, i5.0 roadmapping, and a certification layer, co-developed with NTNU, SINTEF, and validated through Norwegian Research Council and Innovasjon Norge funding. The firm also holds the highest Basadur Simplexity certification for creative problem-solving methodology.

Name

Q3 Partners

Legal name

Q3 Partners AS

Website

https://q3p.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Q3 Partners AS is a privately held Norwegian boutique consulting firm headquartered in Arendal, offering strategy, project management, business intelligence, sustainability, and corporate event services, with a proprietary DigiFab Industri 5.0 methodology for manufacturing SME digitalization.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Management consulting services

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Other Management Consulting Services (541618)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Strategic Partnerships, Alliances & JVs Advisory (BPAHADAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Supplier Performance, Quality & Development (BPAHAHAI)

Keywords

• Management consulting services
• Digital transformation consulting
• Corporate event production
• Manufacturing modernization programs
• Interim executive management

Headquarters

HQ city

Arendal

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

Revenue model

1. Consulting Services (Strategy, Project Management, BI, Sustainability): Core revenue stream. Q3 Partners provides strategic advisory, project management, business intelligence/data analytics, Miljøfyrtårn sustainability consulting, and R&D tax credit application assistance (SkatteFUNN). Billed monthly with 14-day payment terms per standard sales conditions effective January 2025. Payment terms allow price adjustment annually.
2. DigiFab Training and Forum Programs: The DigiFab Forum program for SMB production companies runs for approximately 6 months with monthly sessions and one-to-one coaching. Companies pay an participation fee (mentioned as NOK 10,000 per company in DigiFab Industri 4.0 context). Programs are delivered in collaboration with næringshager and co-funded by public partners.
3. Q3 Event – Corporate Event Production: Full-service corporate event production including venue sourcing, planning, invitations, catering from local suppliers, technical execution (sound, streaming, recording), photography, and social media clips. Revenue is project-based per event.
4. Søknadshjelp – Public Funding Application Assistance: Assistance in preparing and submitting applications for public R&D funding schemes, primarily SkatteFUNN (Norwegian Research Council). Q3 Partners guides clients through the full process from idea development to budget and application submission. Revenue likely billed as a consulting project.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Q3 Partners AS is a Norwegian boutique consulting firm selling strategic advisory, project management, business intelligence, sustainability (Miljøfyrtårn) and SkatteFUNN funding-application consulting to businesses, alongside Q3 Event full-service corporate event production and Styreverv board member placement. Its flagship DigiFab Industri 5.0 is a proprietary methodology with Navigator analysis, Forum program, maturity assessment, and i5.0 roadmap components aimed at Norwegian manufacturing SMBs undergoing digital transformation. The firm also delivers Simplexity creative problem-solving facilitation and interim management services.

Product overview

Q3 Partners operates as a consulting firm offering multiple distinct service lines organized under three main areas: Q3 Consulting (strategic advisory, project management, business intelligence, data analysis, sustainability consulting, and funding application assistance), Q3 Event (corporate event management and production), and Styreverv (board member placement). Their flagship proprietary methodology is DigiFab Industri 5.0, which includes DigiFab Navigator analysis, DigiFab Forum, maturity assessments, and roadmapping services specifically designed for SMB manufacturing companies. Additionally, they offer Simplexity – Basadur Applied Innovation for creative problem-solving and strategy development. The company also provides interim management services for organizations experiencing leadership transitions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DigiFab Industri 5.0: A methodology and program designed to help production companies with digital transformation and Industry 5.0 adoption. Includes DigiFab Forum, DigiFab Navigator analysis, DigiFab i5.0 Roadmap, and DigiFab Certification.
• Q3 Event

Products and services

• Q3 Consulting Multi-disciplinary consulting engagements for Norwegian businesses covering strategic advisory (SWOT analysis, strategy development, implementation planning, risk management, innovation), project management (planning, facilitation, communication, continuous improvement), business intelligence and data analysis (Power BI, Tableau, QlikView), Miljøfyrtårn environmental certification consulting, and SkatteFUNN public funding application assistance.
• Q3 Event Turnkey corporate event production for organizations including financial institutions, technology firms, trade associations, and industrial companies, delivered primarily during Arendalsuka and year-round; production includes venue sourcing, invitations, refreshments, audio, streaming, recording, and post-event content, with clients such as Nordea, Morrow Batteries, Aidn, and Oslo Handelstands Forening.
• Styreverv (Board Member and Chair Placement) Placement of experienced board members and chairs at Norwegian companies, with Q3 Partners supplying candidates with expertise spanning strategic management, international leadership, RFID/IoT, IT project management, and digital transformation; Ingvild Jensen currently serves as board chair of Knudsen Dørfabrikk AS (since 2011) and Rogaland Konservefabrikk AS.
• DigiFab Industri 5.0 Structured digital-transformation program for Norwegian manufacturing SMBs comprising a digital maturity assessment (Industri 5.0 Modenhetsundersøkelse), Navigator analysis (mapping current state, vision, and a concrete i5.0 roadmap), and a Forum program (six monthly group sessions plus four one-to-one meetings) that builds competency in Industry 4.0/5.0, IoT, ERP selection, digital product passports, and data-driven operations, delivered in collaboration with NTNU, SINTEF, Norsk Katapult Digital, and regional næringshager.
• Simplexity – Basadur Applied Innovation Creative problem-solving and strategy development facilitation using the Basadur Simplexity methodology — an eight-stage process that balances ideation, development, optimization, and execution profiles within teams — applied to help organizations solve complex challenges and create effective strategies and business plans.
• Interimledelse (Interim Management) Interim executive leadership service for organizations experiencing leadership transitions, capacity gaps, or change periods, providing rapid takeover of operations, finance and reporting, business model development, process improvement, and team support to secure continued operations and results from day one.

Quantifiable outcome

• Revenue quintupled (5x growth) at Knudsen Dørfabrikk under Ingvild Jensen's board leadership (board chair since 2011)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Norsk Katapult DigitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorsk Katapult Digital (Norwegian Catapult) is a key strategic partner in the DigiFab ecosystem and co-organizer of the Forum for IIoT Goes to Arendalsuka event. The partnership provides Q3 Partners and DigiFab participants with access to Norway's leading digital technology catapult facility, expertise in digitalization and robotics, and co-branded program delivery. Norsk Katapult Digital operates under SIVA.
• NTNU (Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNTNU is an academic partner in the DigiFab consortium, contributing research expertise to the digital transformation methodology. NTNU researchers (including Elli Verhulst, Associate Professor in Innovation and Sustainability) have published academic work on DigiFab's strategic roadmapping approach for manufacturing SMEs. NTNU's Gjøvik campus is also a venue partner for Smart Produksjon events.
• SINTEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSINTEF is a research partner in the DigiFab consortium, providing scientific and technical expertise on digital transformation, IoT, and industrial technology. SINTEF's involvement lends academic rigor to the DigiFab methodology.
• SIVA (Selskapet for industriell og teknologisk vekst)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIVA is an institutional partner in the DigiFab ecosystem and co-organizer of the Forum for IIoT Goes to Arendalsuka event. SIVA owns and operates the Norsk Katapult network and provides infrastructure and funding for innovation initiatives that Q3 Partners participates in.
• GCE Blue Maritime ClusterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGCE Blue Maritime Cluster is a co-organizer of the Forum for IIoT Goes to Arendalsuka 2025 event, bringing together maritime industry actors to discuss digitalization as a growth driver. Q3 Partners participates as a content contributor and event facilitator in this ecosystem.
• Kongsberg InnovasjonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKongsberg Innovasjon participated in the Forum for IIoT Goes to Arendalsuka 2025, presenting on pilot testing of industrial production technology. Represents a technology and innovation hub in Norway's defense/aerospace corridor.
• AthenocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAtheno is a business incubator (næringshage) that organizes and markets the DigiFab Industri 4.0 program to SMB production companies in its region. Atheno recruits participants and co-brands the program, acting as a distribution channel for Q3 Partners' DigiFab services.
• Lister NyskapingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLister Nyskaping is a business incubator that organized the DigiFab Industri 4.0 program for production companies in the Lister region (Lyngdal, etc.) in 2023. Recruits participants and co-hosts information meetings for the program.
• Rogaland RessurssentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRogaland Ressurssenter is a business incubator (næringshage) that co-created the DigiFab project and recruits SMB production companies from Haugalandet and Ryfylke regions into the program.
• Suldal VekstcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSuldal Vekst is a business incubator (næringshage) that co-created the DigiFab project alongside Rogaland Ressurssenter, targeting SMB production companies in Rogaland.
• GS1 NorwayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerQ3 Partners co-organized a session with GS1 Norway during Arendalsuka 2023 on the topic of EU digital product passports and their impact on Norwegian businesses. Knudsen Dørfabrikk was presented as a case study.
• STN+ (Sensorikk, Trelast og Næring)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSTN+ is a member-based industry network (trelast og næring sector) whose annual meeting hosted the DigiFab Navigator case study presentation with Resolve as an example company. STN+ member companies benefit from Q3 Partners' DigiFab services.
• ResolveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResolve was a pilot/paying customer for the DigiFab Navigator analysis program. The company's CEO Anne Hudalen provided a testimonial about the value of the engagement and endorsed the service to other STN+ members.
• AGILE StyrerekrutteringminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAGILE Styrerekruttering co-organized the Arendalsuka 2023 debate on board gender quotas ('Kvinner i styrerommet') with Q3 Partners. The collaboration was described as 'fruktbart samarbeid' (fruitful cooperation).
• Pågang NæringshageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIngvild Jensen serves as CEO of Pågang Næringshage while also managing Q3 Partners. Pågang Næringshage organized a webinar on data analysis in March 2025 featuring Q3 Partners' expertise.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bain & Company: Global strategy and management consulting firm with Nordic coverage. Comparable on strategy advisory work and operational improvement mandates, though Bain typically targets larger enterprises than Q3's SMB manufacturing focus.
• Capgemini Invent: Global consulting arm of Capgemini combining strategy, technology, and digital transformation. Overlaps with Q3's DigiFab-style digital manufacturing practice but operates at global enterprise scale with Nordic delivery centers.
• Boston Consulting Group: Global strategy consulting incumbent with Nordic offices and a strong Industry 4.0/operations offering. Overlaps with Q3 on strategy advisory and digital manufacturing transformation, but BCG serves larger enterprise clients at very different scale.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with strong Nordic presence and board services practice. Comparable to Q3's Styreverv offering and adjacent executive advisory, though at global scale and with broader talent solutions.
• McKinsey & Company: Global management consulting leader with deep Nordic presence and a dedicated digital/manufacturing practice. Comparable at the strategy advisory and digital transformation level, though Q3 operates as a boutique specialist while McKinsey competes at the very top of the market.
• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with a large board and executive placement practice. Comparable to Q3's Styreverv board member placement service and Nordic leadership advisory, but at global scale and with broader search/assessment offerings.
• Accenture: Global professional services firm with extensive Nordic presence and a large Industry X / digital manufacturing practice. Most comparable to Q3 in the digital transformation of manufacturers, but at vastly different scale and enterprise focus.

Direct peers

• Knowit AB: Nordic consultancy with Norwegian operations providing digital, technology, and management consulting across the Nordics. Comparable to Q3 in Nordic geography, multi-disciplinary service mix, and digital transformation focus, but operating at materially larger scale.
• Implement Consulting Group: Nordic-headquartered strategy and digital transformation consultancy serving Scandinavian enterprises and public sector. Most directly comparable peer: similar boutique-to-mid-tier positioning, Nordic client base, and a digital/operations transformation practice overlapping with Q3's DigiFab and strategy advisory.
• Bouvet ASA: Norwegian IT and management consulting firm listed on Oslo Børs, with a strong regional presence and digital transformation offerings for Norwegian public and private clients. Comparable as a Norway-based consulting peer targeting similar mid-market and enterprise clients with technology/digital transformation mandates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/q3partners
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/q3-partners
• Instagraminstagram.com/q3partners

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Q3 Partners