What Smart Innovation Norway does

Smart Innovation Norway is a non-profit research and innovation company founded in 2003 (originally as Inkubator Halden) and headquartered at Remmen Knowledge Park in Halden, Norway, with approximately 30 employees and a board chaired by Ole Andreas Schærer under CEO Knut H. H. Johansen. It operates as an integrated innovation platform across three thematic pillars — energy transition, applied artificial intelligence, and social innovation — through a portfolio of service lines that includes Research and EU Services (grant writing, project management, and coordination for national and European research projects), Applied AI Consulting, the Startup and Scaling incubator, the Norwegian Catapult Digital Test Arena, and Communication Services. The technical stack centers on applied AI capabilities such as predictive analytics for energy forecasting, process automation for flexibility markets, optimization for battery storage and grid operations, recommendation engines for demand response, and generative AI tooling including Copilot training, supported by a Centre for Data-Driven Innovation that hosts the Norwegian Gaia-X Hub and a FIWARE iHub for sovereign data spaces.

The commercial model is grant- and project-based: revenue is generated through public funding from Siva, the Research Council of Norway, Innovasjon Norge, and EU research programs; fee-based consulting and applied AI deployments for SMEs, energy-intensive industries, and municipal governments; incubator and growth-program services for startups and scaleups; training and event revenue (AI+ Conference, AI Roadshow, hackathons); venture activity through Smart Innovation Venture and the Fortress Fund; and venue income from the Smart Innovation Arena. Distribution is direct and partnership-led — engaging SMEs, startups, municipalities (Halden, Sarpsborg, Marker kommune), and enterprises across Norway and Europe rather than through traditional product channels. The company manages three industry clusters (NCE Smart Energy Markets, which holds Gold-cluster status from 2019; Cluster for Applied AI; and DECOM for decommissioning and repurposing) and operates an ecosystem of 420+ founders, 150+ corporate partners, 250+ cluster members, and 120+ cluster partners, with a cumulative research budget of approximately 3 billion NOK across all projects in which it participates.

Name

Smart Innovation Norway

Legal name

Smart Innovation Norway

Website

https://smartinnovationnorway.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Smart Innovation Norway is a non-profit research and innovation company headquartered in Halden, Norway, that helps startups, SMEs, energy-intensive industries, and municipalities commercialize solutions in energy transition, applied AI, and social innovation through EU project coordination, incubator programs, industry clusters, and venture activity.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Research and Innovation Services

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computer Systems Design Services (541512)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Enterprise Architecture & IT Operating Model (BPAHAEAB), Smart Cities & Urban Innovation Programs (Digital Planning, Civic Tech for Cities) (BPAIANAJ)

Keywords

• Research innovation services
• Applied artificial intelligence
• Energy transition consulting
• Startup incubation programs
• EU project management

Headquarters

HQ city

Halden

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Research and Innovation Services: As a non-profit research and innovation company, Smart Innovation Norway generates revenue through research project management, EU project coordination, and consultancy services for national and European research projects. They assist with application writing, project management, and coordination.
2. Incubator and Startup Programs: Venture division provides guidance on commercialization and financing through their incubator and growth programs for startups and scaleups.
3. Training and Education: AI courses, workshops, and events including AI+ conference, hackathons, and various training programs for businesses and organizations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Smart Innovation Norway is a non-profit research and innovation company that helps businesses and the public sector with networks, capital, and expertise within energy transition and applied artificial intelligence. It provides research and EU project services, applied AI consulting, startup incubation and scaling, a Test Arena for digital solutions, and manages industry clusters including NCE Smart Energy Markets, Cluster for Applied AI, and DECOM.

Product overview

Smart Innovation Norway is a non-profit research and innovation company operating as a multi-service platform in three critical domains: energy transition, applied artificial intelligence, and emergency preparedness. Its portfolio consists of core service lines (Research & EU Services, Applied AI Consulting, Startup & Scaling/Venture, Test Arena, and Communication Services) supported by thematic industry clusters (NCE Smart Energy Markets, Cluster for Applied AI, DECOM) and investment vehicles (Fortress Fund). The company also runs flagship programs including the AI+ Conference, the Norwegian Catapult Digital test arena, and the Senter for datadrevet innovasjon initiative. These offerings work together as an integrated innovation ecosystem — research feeds into applied AI deployment, the incubator and venture fund commercialize startups, and the test arena validates digital solutions in real-world conditions, all connected through the cluster networks and communication platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research and EU Services Grant application writing, project management, and coordination for national and European research projects, spanning energy transition, applied AI, and social innovation. Targets businesses, municipalities, and research institutions seeking to participate in EU and national funding programs.
• Applied AI Consulting Helps businesses identify and implement the right uses of artificial intelligence, guiding organizations from data to practical AI deployment in real-world contexts. Serves businesses, municipalities, and research environments.
• Startup and Scaling (Venture) Incubator and growth programs providing commercialization guidance and financing access for ambitious entrepreneurs, with over 40 active startup companies and more than 200 supported historically. Targets startups and scaleups.
• Test Arena (Norwegian Catapult Digital) A catapult node in Norsk Katapult Digital offering testing infrastructure and safe environments for companies to develop, test, and scale data-driven and AI-based digital solutions.
• Communication and Marketing Services Communication services for businesses, municipalities, and research partners, including event management, content production, and marketing support.
• NCE Smart Energy Markets Norwegian Centre of Expertise energy cluster bringing together academic, industry, and public sector partners to develop smart energy solutions and flexibility markets.
• Cluster for Applied AI Thematic cluster focused on applied artificial intelligence, providing member companies with expertise, collaboration opportunities, and projects in AI technology areas.
• DECOM (Cluster for Decommissioning and Repurposing) Industry cluster addressing decommissioning of nuclear facilities and infrastructure repurposing, including the Halden and Kjeller reactor decommissioning projects.
• Fortress Fund Venture fund investing in technology startups, particularly in the energy sector, helping power producers manage uncertainty in electricity markets.
• AI+ Conference Annual applied AI conference and festival bringing together practitioners and innovators, held as a flagship event in Norway with growing attendance year over year.
• Senter for datadrevet innovasjon (Centre for Data-Driven Innovation) Collaborative platform for actors developing open, sovereign infrastructure for data sharing, including the Norwegian Gaia-X Hub and FIWARE iHub.
• Smart Innovation Arena Conference venue at Remmen Knowledge Park in Halden offering advanced audio-visual capabilities for conferences, seminars, product launches, and team-building events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3 billion NOK in total research budget across all projects
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SimulacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2026Strengthened partnership with Simula for research collaboration and knowledge exchange.
• FrontkomminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 February 2026Partnership to strengthen digital innovation in business sector.
• SivacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernmental organization supporting innovation infrastructure. Siva is a key funding partner and has approved Smart Innovation Norway as part of their incubator program for ten more years.
• Innovasjon NorgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorway's innovation agency providing funding and support for Norwegian businesses. Active partner in various innovation projects.
• Microsoft for StartupscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMicrosoft program providing startups with technology, mentorship, and market access. Smart Innovation Norway was admitted to the Microsoft for Startups Investor Network.
• Google for StartupscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGoogle program providing startups with cloud credits, mentorship, and technical support.
• HubSpot for StartupsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHubSpot program providing startups with marketing tools and resources.
• Halden kommunecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partner collaborating on smart city projects and innovation initiatives.
• Sarpsborg kommunecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partner in smart city and innovation projects.
• Østfold kommunecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty municipality partner in regional innovation initiatives.
• Høgskolen i ØstfoldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity college partner for research collaboration and talent development.
• IFE (Institute for Energy Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch institute partner in energy research and innovation projects.
• Plug and PlayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal innovation platform connecting startups with corporations.
• Berkeley SkyDeckminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTop startup accelerator providing global connections and resources.
• Nordic Innovation HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNordic innovation hub in Silicon Valley providing international market access.
• Maria 01minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish startup campus and Nordic innovation network partner.
• Startup NorwayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational startup ecosystem organization for Norwegian entrepreneurs.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Plug and Play Tech Center: Global innovation platform and accelerator connecting startups with corporate partners across multiple verticals. Comparable as a corporate-partnership-driven accelerator model with a Nordic presence and partnership with Smart Innovation Norway.
• Berkeley SkyDeck: Top-ranked US-based accelerator affiliated with UC Berkeley, running batch-based startup programs with global corporate partnerships. Comparable as a high-prestige accelerator partnering with Smart Innovation Norway and operating a cohort-based model with venture backing.

Direct peers

• Digital Norway: Norwegian non-profit driving digital transformation across industry, with comparable focus on applied AI adoption and cluster coordination. Similar scale and mission to Smart Innovation Norway's Cluster for Applied AI and serves overlapping Norwegian SME customers.
• RISE Research Institutes of Sweden: Swedish non-profit research institute with similar portfolio in energy, applied AI, and innovation services. Comparable as a Nordic applied research organization operating test beds, industry clusters, and EU project coordination.
• SINTEF: Norway's largest independent non-profit research institute, conducting applied research across energy, digital, and industrial sectors. Directly comparable as a non-profit Norwegian R&D organization coordinating EU/national research projects and managing industry clusters, though at significantly larger scale.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finnish state-owned non-profit applied research organization with comparable scope in energy transition, AI, and industrial innovation. Comparable as a Nordic public research institute coordinating EU projects, running clusters, and providing applied AI consulting to industry and government.

Broad incumbents

• Siva: Norwegian government-owned company operating the national incubator and innovation infrastructure program. Comparable as a Norwegian public innovation platform owner and Smart Innovation Norway's primary funder, with broader national mandate over the incubator network.
• Fraunhofer Society: Germany's largest applied research organization, operating 76 institutes across energy, AI, and industrial sectors. Comparable business model (non-profit applied research with EU project coordination and industry collaboration) but at much larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Innovasjon Norge: Norwegian government's innovation agency providing funding, advisory, and internationalization services to Norwegian businesses. Comparable as a Norwegian public innovation intermediary supporting startups, SMEs, and cluster development, though as a government agency rather than non-profit operator.

Regional players

• Nordic Innovation: Inter-Nordic organization funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers to promote cross-border innovation in green transition, AI, and mobility. Comparable scope of activity (EU/nordic project funding, cluster facilitation) but operates at policy/funding level rather than direct incubation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NCESmart
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCBa3UG9ru1fRTUE4yoqy8Zg
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=61579943637653
• LinkedInno.linkedin.com/company/sinnovationnorway
• Instagraminstagram.com/smartinnovationnorway

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about Smart Innovation Norway