ProtoMore Kunnskapspark

What ProtoMore Kunnskapspark does

ProtoMore Kunnskapspark AS is a Norwegian innovation company and SIVA-partner knowledge park headquartered in Molde (Britvegen 4, 6410), operating since 1999 under the legal entity ProtoMore Kunnskapspark AS (previously Molde Kunnskapspark). The company delivers a portfolio of interconnected business development services rather than a unified software product: Gründerhjelp provides free idea-stage guidance via the hoppid.no portal; KickStart is a five-session entrepreneurship program (participant fee 800 NOK against an 80,000 NOK market value, heavily subsidized by Sparebanken Møre and SIVA); the Inkubator offers workspace, advisory, InnovasjonsLAB and makerspace access starting at 2,050 NOK per month; Drivkraft (7,900 NOK) and ScaleUp (30,000 NOK) deliver strategy and growth programs for small and mid-stage businesses, the latter funded by SpareBank 1 SMN; and ProtoMore Cowork provides coworking at 2,100-6,700 NOK per month. Supporting services include Kompetansemegling (competence brokering with Forskningsr\u00e5det and M\u00f8re og Romsdal Fylkeskommune), Organisasjonskultur (organizational culture development), and ProtoMore Invest, a wholly-owned investment vehicle established in 2018 that deploys early-stage capital alongside a network of private investors.

The organization is governed by a 23-owner consortium that blends regional industrial anchors (Brunvoll Holding, Glamox, Vard Group, Istad, IP Huse, Romsdal Bygg, Fjord 1, Nortura), financial institutions (Sparebanken M\u00f8re, SpareBank 1 SMN), public-sector entities (Molde Kommune, Hustadvika Kommune, M\u00f8re og Romsdal Fylkeskommune), and academic/research institutions (H\u00f8gskolen i Molde, M\u00f8reforsking). ProtoMore team members also staff iKuben, a regional business cluster, enabling close integration with industry collaboration, conferences (e.g., 100-participant iKuben conference in 2025), and networking events such as ProtoMorgen (92 attendees at January 2025). Proprietary methodology centers on Design Thinking and Sustainable Value Innovation frameworks, with the team having delivered over 400 Design Thinking workshops and graduated 142 ideas through KickStart since 2017. The company's economic model rests on a hybrid of heavily subsidized participant fees, public grants through SIVA and regional partners, coworking rental income, equity returns from ProtoMore Invest (notably its pivotal 2015 investment in seafood-tech spin-out Orivo), and enterprise advisory engagements.

ProtoMore serves entrepreneurs and small-to-mid-stage businesses across the M\u00f8re og Romsdal region (Romsdal, Nordm\u00f8re, Indre Nordm\u00f8re) and Midt-Norge, with satellite services in \u00c5ndalsnes and Surnadal and idea-clarification meetings extending to Eidsv\u00e5g and Midsund. Customer segments span aspiring entrepreneurs, young startups, established SMBs seeking transformation, and post-merger / sustainability-transitioning enterprises (e.g., Tinde Sparebank, Stranda Prolog, Maritech, Arvid Gjerde AS, Cinderella Eco Group, Fagskolene i fylket). Notable alumni include Orivo, Stiftelsen JoinUs, Corron, Actio SB, Frame-Touch, and Cinderella Eco Group (winner of SIVA-prisen 2021). Go-to-market combines direct engagement, event-driven acquisition through ProtoMorgen and conferences, referral flows from the 23-owner network and banking partners, and digital channels (website, email, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook). Headcount stands at approximately 15-20 staff, and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

ProtoMore Kunnskapspark

Legal name

ProtoMore Kunnskapspark AS

Website

https://protomore.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ProtoMore Kunnskapspark is a Norwegian SIVA-partner knowledge park (founded 1999, Molde) that delivers entrepreneurship programs (KickStart, Drivkraft, ScaleUp), incubation, coworking, organizational culture development, and early-stage investment (ProtoMore Invest) for entrepreneurs and SMBs across the Møre og Romsdal region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Incubation & Innovation Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA), Business Planning, Pitching & Competitions (Pitch Decks, Demo Days) (EDAMAHAB), Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)

Keywords

• Business incubation services
• Startup development programs
• Innovation consulting
• Coworking facilities
• Early-stage venture investment

Headquarters

HQ city

Molde

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Program Fees and Subsidized Services: ProtoMore charges subsidized fees for its programs (KickStart 800 NOK, Drivkraft 7,900 NOK, ScaleUp 30,000 NOK, Incubator from 2,050 NOK/month) which are heavily subsidized by public funding from SpareBank 1 SMN, Sparebanken Møre, SIVA, and Møre og Romsdal Fylkeskommune. Market values are 60,000-80,000 NOK per program.
2. Coworking Space Rental: Revenue from renting coworking spaces: Fixed desk 2,990 NOK/month, Clean Desk/flexible 2,100 NOK/month, Private office from 6,700 NOK/month. All prices excluding VAT.
3. ProtoMore Invest: Investment vehicle that invests in early-stage growth companies. Established 2018, with investment experience since 2000. Returns come from equity stakes in portfolio companies.
4. Public Funding and Subsidies: As a SIVA partner and part of Norway's national innovation infrastructure, ProtoMore receives public support to subsidize services for incubator companies and programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ProtoMore Kunnskapspark is a Norwegian knowledge park providing innovation and business development services for entrepreneurs and established businesses. The company delivers structured programs (KickStart, Drivkraft, ScaleUp), startup incubation with workspace and advisory, coworking facilities (ProtoMore Cowork), organizational culture development, research competence matching, and early-stage investment access through ProtoMore Invest. Services are heavily subsidized by public funding and target the Møre og Romsdal region.

Product overview

ProtoMore Kunnskapspark is a single-location innovation company and SIVA partner providing a portfolio of interconnected business development services rather than a unified software product. The core offering centers on startup and business development programs: Gründerhjelp provides free initial startup guidance through the hoppid.no portal; KickStart offers an intensive 5-session entrepreneur program for idea development; the Incubator provides workspace, consulting, and makerspace access for young companies; ScaleUp delivers strategic growth programs for established businesses; and Drivkraft offers focused strategy development for small companies. Supporting infrastructure includes ProtoMore Cowork (physical workspace facilities), ProtoMore Invest (investment network for early-phase companies), Kompetansemegling (research competence matching), and Organisasjonskultur (organizational culture development). The services are designed to support businesses through their entire lifecycle from early ideation through growth and scaling, with special focus on innovation methodology including Design Thinking and Sustainable Value Innovation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ProtoMore Invest: Investment company that invests in early-stage growth companies and organizes a network of investors.
• ProtoMore Cowork
• ScaleUp
• Drivkraft
• KickStart
• Inkubator

Products and services

• Gründerhjelp (Startup Guidance via hoppid.no)

Quantifiable outcome

• 142 ideas have completed KickStart program since 2017
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SIVA SFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProtoMore is a SIVA partner and part of Norway's national innovation infrastructure. Receives public support through SIVA to subsidize incubator companies and programs. SIVA CEO Ingrid Riddervold Lorange presented SIVA-prisen 2021.
• Innovasjon NorgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational innovation agency providing application tips and support schemes for KickStart participants. ProtoMore uses 'En vei inn' service for startup guidance.
• SensaconminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides input on company presentations and economics for KickStart program participants.
• Øverbø og GjørtzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw firm providing legal advice for KickStart participants.
• AdmentominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccounting firm providing accounting tips for KickStart participants.
• AWAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides patent, trademark, and design protection advice for KickStart participants.
• Alexander GrimstadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides brand and storytelling expertise for KickStart participants.
• SUNS (Sunndal Næringsselskap)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal development company in Sunndal partnering on Drivkraft Indre Nordmøre program for inner Nordmøre area.
• StrengenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Drivkraft Indre Nordmøre program.
• iKuben (NCE iKuben)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness cluster that ProtoMore is part of. Offers networking, conferences, and industry collaboration. ProtoMore team members work across both organizations. Provides good member conditions for incubator companies.
• Forskningsrådet (Research Council of Norway)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompetency brokering service is offered in collaboration with Forskningsrådet and Møre og Romsdal Fylkeskommune.
• Høgskolen i Molde (Molde University College)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 23 owners. Part of knowledge park ecosystem at Molde Campus.
• NTNU TEFT-labminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch laboratory in Ålesund. Collaboration partner in Næringsteft competition and innovation initiatives.
• VindelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKnowledge park in Kristiansund. Partner in Næringsteft and regional innovation network.
• ÅKP (Ålesund Kunnskapspark)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKnowledge park in Ålesund. Partner in Næringsteft and regional innovation network.
• Molde KommuneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 23 owners. ProtoMore is hoppid.no office for Molde Kommune for startup guidance.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• StartupLab: Oslo-based startup incubator and accelerator offering cohort programs, coworking, and investor access for Norwegian tech startups. Directly comparable in cohort-based incubation, workspace offering, and investor network model, though operating at a larger, urban scale.
• Vindel Kristiansund: Knowledge park in Kristiansund operating similar incubator and business development services for entrepreneurs in Nordmøre. Directly comparable service portfolio, governance structure (SIVA partner), and customer segments. ProtoMore names Vindel as a partner in Næringsteft.
• Ålesund Kunnskapspark (ÅKP): Knowledge park in Ålesund operating as a SIVA partner delivering incubator and business development services in the same Møre og Romsdal/Sunnmøre region. Directly comparable in offering mix, public funding model, and target segment of regional entrepreneurs and SMEs. ProtoMore lists ÅKP as a partner in Næringsteft.
• Oslo Science Park (Forskningsparken): Major Norwegian knowledge park hosting startups, scale-ups, research organizations, and investors. Comparable in incubator-plus-research-plus-investor ecosystem, though operating at larger scale and with a stronger life sciences focus.
• Kjeller Innovasjon: Norwegian innovation company operating incubators and accelerators with investment vehicles for early-stage companies, structured as a SIVA-aligned organization. Directly comparable in lifecycle support, public-private financing model, and capitalization approach.

Broad incumbents

• Innovasjon Norge: Norway's national innovation agency providing grants, loans, advisory, and incubation services to entrepreneurs nationwide. ProtoMore's KickStart explicitly integrates Innovasjon Norge support schemes, making it a partner/funder rather than competitor but addressing the same entrepreneurs at national scale.
• SINTEF: Largest Scandinavian independent research institute, running applied R&D, innovation services, and commercialization support often in collaboration with regional clusters. Overlaps with ProtoMore on innovation facilitation and industrial transformation but operates at far greater scale.
• NTNU Technology Transfer Office: NTNU's commercialization arm supporting student and faculty startups, with affiliated accelerator programs. Comparable in turning research into investable ventures; ProtoMore partners with NTNU TEFT-lab in Ålesund and likely sees overlap on Norwegian deep-tech founders.
• SIVA (Selskapet for Industrivekst): Norwegian state enterprise owning and co-financing innovation infrastructure including incubators, knowledge parks, and business gardens. ProtoMore is a SIVA partner and recipient; SIVA sets framework conditions and provides subsidies to a portfolio of similar parks.

Emerging players

• Møreforsking AS: Regional research institute in Møre og Romsdal, listed as one of ProtoMore's 23 owners. Conducts applied research and competence development for regional firms, partially overlapping with ProtoMore's Kompetansemegling and organizational culture services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/ProtoMore
• Facebookfacebook.com/ProtoMore
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/protomore
• Instagraminstagram.com/protomore_kunnskapspark

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries2 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 ProtoMore Kunnskapspark