NCE iKuben

What NCE iKuben does

NCE iKuben is a cross-industrial cluster organization (industriklynge) and national competence center headquartered in Molde, Norway, owned collectively by 42 participant companies spanning manufacturing, technology, academia, research, and the public sector. It is organized as a private limited company (iKuben AS, Org.nr 997 655 028) and operates with a small core administrative team supplemented by project resources from its primary delivery partner, ProtoMore. The cluster's mandate is to accelerate sustainable export and strengthen member companies' competitiveness and innovation capacity through digitalization, sustainability, and circular business model transformation.

Its product portfolio is service-based rather than software-based, comprising: a physical Industry 4.0 laboratory across Molde, Ulsteinvik, and Sunndalsøra equipped with 3D scanning, 3D printing, laser cutting, and collaborative robots; the AkademiKuben Kompetanseportal (an exclusive digital learning platform for members); the Tenketank for toppledere and Tenketank for unge leadership development programs; seven cross-disciplinary working groups (industrial production, information security, data analysis, sustainability, export, innovation, renewable energy); FoUI project initiation and management services; the Bærekraftig og sirkulær forretningsmodellering program built on University of Cambridge's Sustainable Value Tools methodology (exclusive license outside the UK); the Circular Manufacturing catapult node (under SIVA, co-led with NTNU's Troll-Labs); the BOOST Møre og Romsdal mid-management competency program; and the Omstillingsmotor digital transformation program delivered with Digital Norway, Kongsberg Innovasjon, and Smart Innovation Norway.

Revenue is generated through four streams: (1) membership/deltageravgift from 42 participant companies (specific fee structure undisclosed); (2) program and course fees (e.g., Tenketank at 55,000 NOK per participant, BOOST at 10,000 NOK for full program); (3) public grants and institutional funding from Innovation Norway, SIVA (6M NOK for Circular Manufacturing), Møre og Romsdal fylkeskommune, GassROR IKS, SpareBank1 SMN, and Sparebanken Møre; and (4) FoUI project funding via the Research Council of Norway, Regional Research Fund, and Skaparkraft programs. Go-to-market is community-led: member recruitment proceeds through a three-step process of CEO outreach, informal meeting, and formal application, supplemented by events, working group participation, peer referrals, and third-party validation via the annual Menon Economics cluster evaluation.

Name

NCE iKuben

Legal name

iKuben AS

Website

https://ikuben.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NCE iKuben is a Norwegian cross-industrial cluster and national competence center in Molde, owned by 42 participant companies, delivering Industry 4.0 lab access, innovation methodology programs (including an exclusive Cambridge Sustainable Value Tools license), leadership development, working groups, and FoUI project management focused on digitalization, sustainability, and circular business model transformation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Cluster and Innovation Services

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Circularity Consulting & Program Management (EPR, Design-for-Circularity, LCA) (EUAIANAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainable & Responsible Supply Chain (ESG, Scope 3) (BPAHAHAM), Product Lifecycle, NPI & Industrialization (Design-to-Operate) (BPAHAHAK)

Keywords

• Industrial cluster management
• Innovation consulting services
• Competence development programs
• Circular business modeling
• Industry 4.0 training

Headquarters

HQ city

Molde

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership fees (deltageravgift): 42 participant companies pay membership fees to belong to the cluster. The specific fee structure is not publicly disclosed on the website.
2. Program and course fees: Revenue generated from paid educational programs such as Tenketank for toppledere (55,000 NOK per participant + 10,000 NOK travel/accommodation) and BOOST Møre og Romsdal (10,000 NOK per participant for full program, 5,000 NOK per single session).
3. Public funding and grants: The cluster receives financial support from Innovation Norway (including special pandemic-related funding), SIVA (including 6 million NOK for Circular Manufacturing catapult pilot over 18 months), SpareBank1 SMN, Møre og Romsdal county municipality, GassROR IKS, and Sparebanken Møre. This public funding supports cluster operations and specific programs.
4. FoUI project funding: Research, development, and innovation projects (FoUI) funded through sources such as the Research Council of Norway (Forskningsrådet), Regional Research Fund (RFF), and Skaparkraft programs from Møre og Romsdal county municipality. iKuben acts as project owner and project manager for these initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

NCE iKuben operates a cross-industrial cluster and national competence center providing 42 member companies with innovation methodologies (Design Thinking, Cambridge Sustainable Value Tools), physical prototyping facilities (Industry 4.0 lab), leadership and competency development programs (Tenketank, BOOST, Omstillingsmotor), working groups, and FoUI project management. Services focus on helping manufacturing, technology, and research organizations accelerate digitalization, sustainability, and circular business model transformation in the Møre og Romsdal region of Norway.

Product overview

NCE iKuben is a cross-industrial cluster and national competence center offering a portfolio of interconnected services focused on digitalization, sustainability, and innovation. The core offerings include the Kompetanseportal (knowledge portal), Industri 4.0 Lab (for prototyping and technology testing), Tenketank for toppledere and Tenketank for unge (leadership development programs), Arbeidsgrupper og fagforum (working groups and professional forums), FoUI projects (research, development and innovation), and various competency enhancement courses. The cluster provides specialized programs like Bærekraftig og sirkulær forretningsmodellering using Cambridge methodology, Circular Manufacturing catapult-node, BOOST program, and Omstillingsmotor for digital transformation. These offerings work together to help participant companies build competence, innovate, and transform their business models.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Industri 4.0 Lab Physical laboratory facility providing cluster member companies with access to Industry 4.0 technologies — 3D scanning, 3D printing, laser cutting, and collaborative robots — for prototyping, testing, and hands-on training in industrial technologies across three locations in Møre og Romsdal.
• AkademiKuben Kompetanseportal Exclusive digital knowledge portal available to all 42 cluster member companies, providing self-paced competency development content at members' convenience.
• Tenketank for toppledere Multi-year executive development program for top leaders (CEO/Managing Director level) of cluster member companies, focused on reflection and experience exchange around global trends affecting innovation, with emphasis on digitalization and sustainability. Pricing: 55,000 NOK per first participant, 45,000 NOK per additional participant from same company, plus 10,000 NOK travel/accommodation.
• Tenketank for unge Competence program designed for younger employees (under 35) of cluster member companies, focused on systems thinking, influencing change, and addressing complex challenges in business and society.
• Arbeidsgrupper og fagforum (Working Groups and Professional Forums) Seven cross-disciplinary working groups and professional forums that serve as the cluster's primary ongoing member engagement mechanism, covering industrial production, information security, data analysis/AI, sustainability, export, innovation and development, and renewable energy. Working groups have mandates to initiate FoUI projects and arrange seminars, courses, and study trips.
• FoUI Projects (Research, Development and Innovation) Research, Development and Innovation (FoUI) project initiation and management services where iKuben acts as project owner and project manager. Supports cluster members in accessing national and regional funding (Research Council of Norway, RFF, Skaparkraft) and executing collaborative applied research projects, with particular expertise in circular economy.
• Kompetanseheving og kurs (Competency Enhancement and Courses) Portfolio of competency enhancement courses, seminars, and workshops covering innovation methodology, Design Thinking, 3D printing design, and related topics delivered throughout the year to cluster member companies.
• Bærekraftig og sirkulær forretningsmodellering (Sustainable and Circular Business Modeling) Comprehensive innovation and transformation program using Sustainable Value Tools developed with University of Cambridge methodology for identifying and developing sustainable and circular business models. iKuben is the only environment outside the UK certified and approved to deliver this methodology.
• Circular Manufacturing katapult-node Circular Manufacturing catapult node under SIVA's national program for manufacturing technology and future materials. Aims to increase innovation rate and competence in Møre og Romsdal through Industry 4.0, circular economy, and particularly circular production, co-led with Troll-Labs (NTNU).
• BOOST Møre og Romsdal Competency enhancement program for mid-level employees of cluster member companies, covering project management, internationalization, circular economy, negotiation techniques, communication, and entrepreneurship. Pricing: 10,000 NOK full five-session program or 5,000 NOK per individual session.
• Omstillingsmotor Digital competence program delivered by NCE iKuben in consortium with DigitalNorway, Kongsberg Innovasjon, and Smart Innovation Norway, helping SMEs understand and use new technologies, business models, and production methods. Highly subsidized by Innovation Norway with a 900 NOK participant co-fee.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% of cluster companies introduced new or significantly improved products/services in 2019
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• ProtoMore (ProtoMore Kunnskapspark)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProtoMore is iKuben's primary delivery partner for innovation methodology services, including Design Thinking training (ProtoMore InnovasjonsLAB), the BOOST program, and facilitation of working groups. ProtoMore has conducted over 400 innovation processes using the Design Thinking methodology. ProtoMore staff (including Sjur Vindal and Astrid Kirkaune) hold key operational roles in iKuben's programs. ProtoMore also delivers the Omstillingsmotor program under the consortium.
• University of CambridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartneriKuben holds an exclusive (outside UK only) license/certification to use the University of Cambridge's Sustainable Value Tools methodology for identifying and developing sustainable and circular business models. This partnership enables iKuben to offer the 'Bærekraftig og sirkulær forretningsmodellering' program to Norwegian companies using academically documented methods developed at Cambridge.
• NHH ExecutivemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHH Executive collaborates with iKuben and Digital Norway to deliver the 'Innovasjonsledelse' (Innovation Management) subject study program in Molde. The program covers strategy, organizational theory, innovation, and leadership. NHH provides researchers and lecturers including Monica Rydland, Eirik Sjåholm Knudsen, Bård Fyhn, and Tor Øyvind Baardsen.
• Digital NorwaymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital Norway collaborates with iKuben and NHH Executive on the Innovasjonsledelse program. Digital Norway is also part of the Omstillingsmotor consortium alongside Kongsberg Innovasjon and Smart Innovation Norway, providing digital transformation training to Norwegian SMEs.
• SIVA (Sivas distriktssenter for industriell utvikling)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIVA operates a national catapult program for manufacturing technology and future materials. iKuben leads the Circular Manufacturing catapult node under SIVA's program, funded with 6 million NOK over 18 months. The goal is to increase innovation rate and competency in Møre og Romsdal through Industry 4.0 and circular manufacturing.
• Troll-Labs (NTNU)majorTechnology or IntegrationTroll-Labs (an NTNU-affiliated technology lab) co-leads the Circular Manufacturing catapult node with iKuben. Troll-Labs provides technical expertise and prototyping capabilities for the pilot projects run under the catapult node.
• Norwegian Smart Care Cluster (NSCC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNorwegian Smart Care Cluster (a health industry cluster with 140+ member companies and 50 public actors) participated in iKuben's Design Thinking training program. This represents cross-cluster knowledge sharing where iKuben (as National Competence Center) shared its innovation methodology expertise with another Norwegian cluster.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Digital Norway: National digital transformation cluster delivering competence programmes and project funding for Norwegian industry. Comparable to iKuben as a co-delivery partner on the Omstillingsmotor programme and Innovasjonsledelse study, operating similar member-based digital upskilling services.
• NCE Maritime CleanTech: Norwegian Centre of Expertise cluster focused on clean maritime technology. Directly comparable as another NCE-designated industrial cluster delivering innovation, R&D project management and competence programmes to a Norwegian industrial member base.
• Norwegian Smart Care Cluster (NSCC): Norwegian health-industry cluster with 140+ members and 50 public actors. Directly comparable as a cluster organisation that has engaged iKuben for Design Thinking training, sharing iKuben's member-driven innovation facilitation and working group model.
• Eyde Cluster: Norwegian process-industry cluster supporting sustainability, circular economy and industrial transformation. Highly comparable to iKuben as an Arena/NCE-style cluster focused on heavy-industry members and circular business model development.
• Kongsberg Innovasjon: Regional innovation hub delivering business development, incubation and cluster-style programmes. Comparable to iKuben as a Norwegian innovation intermediary operating competence and SME transformation programmes in partnership with public funders.
• Smart Innovation Norway: Norwegian innovation cluster with a member-based model focused on digital transformation and emerging technologies. Closely comparable to iKuben because it co-delivers the Omstillingsmotor programme and operates similar competence-building and innovation facilitation services.

Broad incumbents

• NCE Micro- and Nanotechnology: NCE-designated cluster for micro- and nanotechnology, hosted at NTNU. Comparable as a Norwegian Centre of Expertise with academic anchoring, R&D project portfolio and a member-driven model for industrial innovation.

Others

• ProtoMore Kunnskapspark: Innovation consultancy that is iKuben's primary delivery partner for Design Thinking, working groups and BOOST. Comparable as an adjacent innovation services provider whose staff and methodology underpin much of iKuben's programme delivery.

Regional players

• Ålesund Kunnskapspark (ÅKP): Regional knowledge/incubation park serving Sunnmøre industrial firms. Comparable to iKuben as a Norwegian regional innovation intermediary supporting manufacturing firms with competence programmes and innovation services.
• InnovArena: Regional innovation arena in Northern Norway delivering cluster-style competence and innovation services. Comparable as a Norwegian regional innovation ecosystem with public funding and industry partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ikuben
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ikuben

Compliance1 record

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 NCE iKuben