Gjerpen Håndball (Gjerpen HK Skien)

What Gjerpen Håndball (Gjerpen HK Skien) does

Gjerpen Håndball (Gjerpen HK Skien) is a Norwegian non-profit women's handball club (idrettsforening) headquartered at Skienshallen, Griniveien 11, Skien, competing in the REMA 1000-ligaen — Norway's top-tier women's handball league — and fielding a rekruttlag (recruitment team) in 2. divisjon plus a J18 youth squad. The club operates a three-tier product structure: an elite A-lag (the core competitive offering), a developmental rekruttlag, and a seasonal Handball School (håndballskole) for youth players, the latter delivered through the iSonen platform with participation fees. No proprietary technology platforms are disclosed; the organization's digital surface consists of a WordPress website, Facebook, and Instagram channels, supplemented by league-data integrations with handball.no and a third-party kit supply partnership with Umbro (via Scantrade).

The club's revenue model is sponsorship-driven and geographically concentrated. Corporate sponsors are organized across four tiers — Storpartner, Gullpartner, Sølvpartner, and Gjerpenpatriot — and include regional banks (Sparebanken Norge/Sparebanken Sør), utilities (Skagerak Energi), municipal and county governments (Skien Kommune, Telemark Fylkeskommune), automotive and retail brands (Star Bil, Mester Grønn, Sport 1), media (Telemarksavisa, Radio Grenland), and the kit supplier (Umbro). A 2019 styreleder report cited a MNOK 4.0 minimum operating budget for elite-level play; sponsorship intake of approximately NOK 500,000 was raised in a partial-year push during 2019 alongside community crowdfunding (e.g., 'Dorthe aksjonen' targeting NOK 200,000 via spleis.no), Vipps donations, and an Odd FK spectator levy. The club's competitive performance has been consistent but mid-table: 8th place and playoff qualification in the 2025/2026 REMA 1000-ligaen (quarterfinal elimination) and 4th in the 2024/2025 Landsserien national series. Long-term sustainability is anchored in the Telemarksmodellen local talent-development philosophy, a formal cooperation agreement with Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge signed September 10, 2025, and a multi-decade volunteer and honorary-membership culture (Anne Torun Berge and Sølve Borge awarded honorary membership in 2019).

Name

Gjerpen Håndball (Gjerpen HK Skien)

Legal name

Gjerpen HK Skien

Website

https://gjerpenhandball.no

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Gjerpen Håndball (Gjerpen HK Skien) is a Norwegian non-profit women's handball club competing in the REMA 1000-ligaen, serving the Grenland/Telemark community through elite competition, youth development via the Telemarksmodellen and a USN university partnership, and seasonal handball-school programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Women's Handball Club Services

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Spectator Sports (71121), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Handball Leagues (MPAKAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE)

Keywords

• Women's handball club
• Elite sports team
• Youth handball development
• Handball training programs
• Community sports events

Headquarters

HQ city

Skien

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Sponsorship & Partnership Revenue: Corporate sponsorship is the primary revenue driver. Sponsors are organized in tiers: 'Storpartner' (main partners), 'Gullpartner' (gold partners), 'Sølvpartner' (silver partners), and 'Gjerpenpatriot' (patriot supporters). In 2019, the club reported signing sponsorship contracts worth approximately NOK 500,000 in local business, and had a target annual budget of MNOK 4.0 minimum for elite-level operation. Domino's Pizza in Skien uses a kickback model: 10% discount to customers with code 'GJERPENHK' with 10% kickback to the club.
2. Crowdfunding & Community Fundraising: The club runs periodic crowdfunding campaigns (e.g., 'folkets spiller' on spleis.no). In 2019, a 'Dorthe aksjonen' campaign targeted NOK 200,000 to fund new player signings. Individual supporters could contribute via Vipps (NOK 10–500) or bank transfer. The club also collected donations via Odd FK (NOK 1 per spectator at a semifinal match).
3. Match-Day Revenue & Memberships: Revenue from ticket sales at home matches played at Skienshallen, including playoff/sluttspill matches. Annual membership fees support club operations and are distinct from player payroll.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Gjerpen HK Skien operates a women's elite handball club based in Skien, Norway, competing in the top-tier REMA 1000-ligaen. The club runs a senior A-lag, a developmental Rekruttlag, and youth teams (J18), complemented by an annual summer Handball School (Håndballskole) for young players. Match-day entertainment and community sporting events at Skienshallen form the core spectator-facing service.

Product overview

Gjerpen HK Skien is a Norwegian women's handball club operating as a sports organization with a multi-tiered team structure. The club's core product is its elite A-lag (senior team) competing in the REMA 1000-ligaen, supplemented by a rekruttlag (recruit team) for player development. The club also operates a seasonal handball school program for youth. The organization focuses on handball sports performance, player development, and community engagement rather than technology products or services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• A-lag (Senior Women's Handball Team)

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple players (Mia Stensland, Oda Olsen, Caroline Wikheim Aas, Lea Tidemann Stenvik) have been selected for national youth/rekryttlandslag teams and regional talent environments (RLM).
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

39 partnerships are on record, tiered storpartner (main partner), gjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter), gullpartner (gold partner), sølvpartner (silver partner) and minor partner.

• Sparebanken Norge (Sparebanken Sør)storpartner (main partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerSparebanken Norge (formerly Sparebanken Sør) is a major regional savings bank headquartered in Kristiansand with 34 offices across Agder, Vestfold, Telemark, and Rogaland. Listed as a Storpartner (main partner) of Gjerpen HK Skien. The bank has served the region for nearly 200 years and supports local community initiatives including sports clubs, culture, and community events. Contact: Storgata 128, 38109200.
• Skagerak Energistorpartner (main partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerSkagerak Energi operates in production, trading, and transmission of electricity with approximately 630 employees, average power production of 6 TWh, over 200,000 grid customers, and revenue of approximately NOK 3 billion. Listed as a Storpartner (main partner) of Gjerpen HK Skien. Address: Floodeløkka 1, 3915 Porsgrunn.
• Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge (USN)gjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter)Strategic or Co-development PartnerUniversitetet i Sørøst-Norge is Norway's fourth-largest university with over 17,000 students and nine campuses. A formal cooperation agreement was signed on 10 September 2025 at Skienshallen, enabling Gjerpen's player-athletes to combine elite handball with university studies. Many of Gjerpen's players study at USN. The agreement is aligned with USN's strategy to provide work-relevant education. Rector Pia Cecilie Bing-Jonsson signed on behalf of USN.
• Skien Kommunegullpartner (gold partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerSkien Municipality is listed as a Gullpartner (gold partner). The municipality's vision is 'Skien — the good and inclusive meeting place.' Contact: Henrik Ibsensgate 2 (Kaffehuset), 35581000.
• Umbro (via Scantrade)gullpartner (gold partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerUmbro is the kit supplier for Gjerpen HK Skien. Scantrade, the Nordic sports distributor headquartered in Vennesla, handles Umbro brand distribution in Norway. Scantrade sponsors Norges Håndballforbund and approximately 600 clubs in Norway and Sweden. Kit supplier agreement provides players with match and training apparel.
• Domino's Pizza (Pizza Pizza Telemark & Vestfold)gullpartner (gold partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerDomino's Pizza operates 41 restaurants in Norway (opened first in 2014). The Skien location is a Gullpartner with a kickback model: fans use code 'GJERPENHK' for 10% discount, and Domino's gives 10% kickback to Gjerpen HK. The Skien Domino's was the third location in Norway and first outside Oslo (opened 2015).
• ENRXstorpartner (main partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerENRX is listed as a Storpartner (main partner) on the sponsors page. Specific details about ENRX's business were not available in the source material.
• Kontorbygg ASstorpartner (main partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerKontorbygg AS is a wholly owned municipal limited company in Skien with centrally located properties featuring high building standards and efficient space utilization. They have long-term leases with many solid tenants and very high occupancy rates. Contact: Kverndalsgata 10, 3701 Skien.
• Bakehusetstorpartner (main partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerBakehuset consists of eleven local bakeries and is a wholly owned company of NorgesGruppen, claiming to be Norway's largest bakery group. They are noted for delivering the famous 'Gjerpenbrødet' to Meny, Kiwi, Spar, Bunnpris, and Joker stores. Address: Strandgt. 16, 3263 Larvik.
• Telemark Fylkeskommunestorpartner (main partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerTelemark County Municipality is listed as a Storpartner (main partner). County-level government support for sports and cultural activities in the Telemark region.
• Elektro 4sølvpartner (silver partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerElektro 4 is an electrical installation company based in Skien with 140 employees across offices in Telemark and Vestfold. Listed as a Sølvpartner (silver partner). They focus on HMS (health, safety, environment), modern technology, and long-term thinking with high quality throughout. Slogan: 'Vi skal være fremtidens elektriker!' Contact: Borgevegen 5, 3712 Skien, +47 35900100.
• Star Bil ASgullpartner (gold partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerStar Bil is a dealer of Kia, Suzuki, and Isuzu vehicles in Telemark. Listed as a Gullpartner (gold partner). Address: Trommedalsveien 239, 3735 Skien, 35900490. Also a sub-entity Star Bilskade listed separately as a Gullpartner.
• Color Linesølvpartner (silver partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerColor Line is one of Europe's leading shipping companies in European short-sea shipping, operating a fleet of seven ships on four international routes between Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany. Listed as a Sølvpartner (silver partner). Contact: 22944200.
• Herkulessølvpartner (silver partner)Strategic or Co-development PartnerHerkules is listed as a Sølvpartner (silver partner) and is described as a partner club ('partnerklubb') in the Telemarksmodellen local talent development system. The club Louisa was recruited from Herkules to Gjerpen, illustrating the development partnership between clubs.
• GI Eiendomsølvpartner (silver partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerGI Eiendom is listed as a Sølvpartner (silver partner). Specific details about the company were not available in the source material beyond the logo and name.
• Telemarksavisagullpartner (gold partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerTelemarksavisa is Telemark's largest media house with 80,000 daily readers across digital, mobile, and print. Listed as a Gullpartner (gold partner). Contact: Torggata 8, 35585500, [email protected]. Provides sports coverage and sponsor visibility for Gjerpen.
• Radio Grenlandgjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter)GTM or Marketing PartnerRadio Grenland broadcasts live across Grenland and Mid-Telemark daily with local news, sport, weather, and traffic coverage. Owned by Jærradiogruppen AS (one of Norway's largest local radio groups, approximately NOK 30 million annual revenue, 30 employees). Also partly owned by Mediagruppen Grenland and LO in Grenland. Listed as Gjerpenpatriot. Contact: Friisebrygga 2, 3921 Porsgrunn, 35930333.
• Funnemark Eiendom ASgjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter)GTM or Marketing PartnerFunnemark Eiendom AS has supported Gjerpen HK Skien for three seasons as a Gjerpenpatriot. The company's history includes bicycle production, clothing factory, T-Forder sales, and Toyota car sales (sold in 2021 to Billia). They now focus on property development with approximately 30,000 sqm of leased property. Contact: Slottsbrogate 5, 3915 Porsgrunn, 35560000.
• AVIS Bilutleieminor partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerAVIS is listed as a cooperation partner providing flexible transport solutions for Gjerpen's players and support staff. AVIS offers car rental for transport to matches, training, and national team gatherings. Players are encouraged to contact their nearest AVIS office for information on available vehicles and club-specific benefits.
• Q4 Næringsmegling ASgjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter)GTM or Marketing PartnerQ4 Næringsmegling AS was established in 2016 and is owned by the employees. The team averages 15–30 years of experience in commercial real estate brokerage in Vestfold and Telemark. Their goal is to be the market-leading independent advisor in commercial property in the region. Listed as Gjerpenpatriot. Contact: 97004444.
• Skien Bygjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter)GTM or Marketing PartnerSkien By is an association for businesses and property owners in Skien city centre, aiming to promote Skien as 'Den lille storbyen' (The small big city). They support local business, culture, and residential activity in the city centre. Listed as Gjerpenpatriot. Contact: Rådhusgata 1, 3724 Skien, 91884888.
• Herøya Industriparkgullpartner (gold partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerHerøya Industripark is listed as a Gullpartner (gold partner). Specific details about the industrial park's business were not fully detailed in the source material. Located in Porsgrunn, Telemark.
• Aidergullpartner (gold partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerAider is listed as a Gullpartner (gold partner). Specific business details were not available in the source material.
• Mester Grønngullpartner (gold partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerMester Grønn is listed as a Gullpartner (gold partner). Mester Grønn is a Norwegian chain of garden/plant stores. Specific partnership details were not elaborated.
• Berg-Hansengjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter)GTM or Marketing PartnerBerg-Hansen is listed as a Gjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter). Specific business details were not elaborated beyond the logo.
• Cappelen Gruppengjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter)GTM or Marketing PartnerCappelen Gruppen is listed as a Gjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter). Specific details were not elaborated beyond the logo.
• WERAgjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter)GTM or Marketing PartnerWERA is listed as a Gjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter). Specific details were not elaborated beyond the logo.
• Tannlegene Otterstadgjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter)GTM or Marketing PartnerTannlegene Otterstad is listed as a Gjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter). Dental practice in the region.
• Bypostgjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter)GTM or Marketing PartnerBypost is listed as a Gjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter). Specific business details were not elaborated beyond the logo.
• Beveogjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter)GTM or Marketing PartnerBeveo is listed as a Gjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter). Specific business details were not elaborated beyond the logo.
• Telerørgjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter)GTM or Marketing PartnerTelerør is listed as a Gjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter). Specific business details were not elaborated beyond the logo.
• GBBLgjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter)GTM or Marketing PartnerGBBL is listed as a Gjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter) and a formal collaboration agreement was signed in January 2026 between GBBL and Gjerpen Håndball.
• Sport 1gjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter)GTM or Marketing PartnerSport 1 is listed as a Gjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter). Sport 1 is a Norwegian sports retail chain. Specific partnership details were not elaborated beyond the logo.
• Eiendomsmegler Norge (Sørmegleren)gjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter)GTM or Marketing PartnerSørmegleren (part of Eiendomsmegler Norge) is listed as a Gjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter). Regional real estate agency operating in Vestfold and Telemark.
• Batnegullpartner (gold partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerBatne is listed as a Gullpartner (gold partner). Specific business details were not elaborated beyond the logo.
• Fargerike Christoffersengjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter)GTM or Marketing PartnerFargerike Christoffersen is listed as a Gjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter). A paint/decoration store in the region. Specific details were not elaborated beyond the logo.
• NAF (Norges Automobil-Forbund)gjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter)GTM or Marketing PartnerNAF is listed as a Gjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter). NAF is Norway's automobile association offering roadside assistance and automotive services. Specific partnership details were not elaborated beyond the logo.
• Egongjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter)GTM or Marketing PartnerEgon is listed as a Gjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter). Egon is a Norwegian restaurant chain. Specific partnership details were not elaborated beyond the logo.
• TTGgjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter)GTM or Marketing PartnerTTG is listed as a Gjerpenpatriot (patriot supporter). Specific business details were not elaborated beyond the logo.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sola HK: Women's handball club from the Stavanger region competing in Norway's top women's handball system. Comparable in scale and structure to Gjerpen, with similar emphasis on regional community and youth development.
• Vipers Kristiansand: Top Norwegian women's handball club competing in REMA 1000-ligaen. As the dominant force in the same league as Gjerpen, Vipers represents the elite ceiling — useful for understanding sponsorship scale, on-court benchmark, and league structure that Gjerpen operates within.
• Storhamar Handball Elite: Top-tier Norwegian women's handball club in REMA 1000-ligaen based in the Hamar region. Directly comparable in league structure, fan model, and sponsorship approach, providing a regional benchmark for Gjerpen's mid-table positioning.
• Byåsen Elite: Top-tier Norwegian women's handball club from Trondheim competing in REMA 1000-ligaen. Comparable in terms of operating a top-flight women's club in a regional Norwegian market with similar community-driven sponsorship structures.
• Glassverket IF: Norwegian women's handball club from Drammen. Operates in the same Norwegian women's handball ecosystem as Gjerpen with similar mid-tier profile and reliance on regional sponsors.
• Molde Elite: Women's handball club competing in REMA 1000-ligaen with similar small-city regional sponsorship model. Useful peer for understanding how mid-sized Norwegian cities structure elite handball operations at the top-flight level.
• Larvik HK: Historic Norwegian women's handball club with multiple Champions League titles. Also competes in REMA 1000-ligaen. Birgitte Sættem Jomaas (Gjerpen's new assistant coach) played for Larvik 1998-2006, illustrating the talent circulation between these top-flight Norwegian clubs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gjerpen-h-ndball

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 Gjerpen Håndball (Gjerpen HK Skien)