Haugaland Vekst

What Haugaland Vekst does

Haugaland Vekst is a publicly funded inter-municipal company (IKS) established in 2004 that serves as the regional development organization for the Haugalandet region in southwestern Norway. It is jointly owned by nine municipalities (Haugesund, Karm\u00f8y, Tysv\u00e6r, Sveio, Vindafjord, Etne, Sauda, Bokn, and Utsira) covering a population of approximately 120,000, and operates as the secretariat for Haugalandsr\u00e5det IPR, the formal inter-municipal political council. The organization is headquartered in Haugesund with a lean staff of 14 employees and had its 20th anniversary in 2024 alongside a rebrand.

The company's service portfolio is organized around three pillars: Regional Development (Regionsutvikling) covering strategic initiatives in offshore wind, green energy and industry, and the Matregion Haugalandet food initiative; Talent Recruitment (Talentrekruttering) including the Sildikon Valley summer internship program, Mingel networking events, the Talentsamarbeidet partnership network of 30+ organizations, and the Jobbhjelperen relocation service; and Youth Services (Ungdom) anchored by the Yrkesmessa career fair. Programs are delivered at no cost to participants and funded through municipal contributions and project grants.

The business model is non-commercial: services are provided free of charge and the organization does not generate revenue from product sales, software licensing, or fees. Go-to-market is through partnership networks, university career fairs, community events, and direct engagement with employers and municipalities. Notable technology or AI capabilities are not developed in-house; AI-related activity is limited to projects hosted within partner programs (e.g., Karm\u00f8y kommune's AI learning tools, Gassco's IIoT analytics). Growth and scaling are constrained by public funding mechanics rather than market demand.

Name

Haugaland Vekst

Legal name

Haugaland Vekst IKS

Website

https://haugalandvekst.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Publicly funded inter-municipal company serving nine municipalities in Norway's Haugalandet region, coordinating regional development, talent attraction, and youth programs through partnership networks and free-to-user services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Development Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Business Support Services (561499)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Cooperation, Capacity Building & Policy Advisory Programs (BPADABAO)

Keywords

• Regional development services
• Talent recruitment programs
• Youth career guidance
• Municipal strategic planning
• Offshore wind coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Haugesund

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Haugaland Vekst is a publicly funded inter-municipal regional development organization (IKS) that delivers coordinated programs across three pillars: regional strategic development (offshore wind, green energy and industry, food region Matregion Haugalandet), talent recruitment (Sildikon Valley summer internships, Mingel networking, Talentsamarbeidet partnership network, Jobbhjelperen career assistance), and youth career guidance (Yrkesmessa career fair, school visits, advisor network). It also operates Welcome Hub Haugalandet for newcomer integration and acts as secretariat for Haugalandsrådet IPR. All services are provided free of charge to participants and funded by municipal contributions and partner co-investment.

Product overview

Haugaland Vekst is a regional development organization (IKS) serving nine municipalities on the Haugalandet peninsula in Norway. Rather than a technology product company, it provides a portfolio of regional development services organized around three core pillars: (1) Regional Development (Regionsutvikling) including strategic initiatives for offshore wind, green energy/industry, food region, and infrastructure; (2) Talent Recruitment (Talentrekruttering) featuring programs like Sildikon Valley summer internships, Mingel networking events, Talentsamarbeidet partnership network, and Jobbhjelperen career assistance; and (3) Youth Services (Ungdom) including Yrkesmessa career fair and educational guidance. The organization coordinates the Haugalandsrådet IPR political council and operates Welcome Hub for newcomer integration. Services are delivered through partnerships with local businesses, municipalities, and educational institutions rather than software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sildikon Valley Six-week summer internship program that connects talented Norwegian university students with companies and municipalities on Haugalandet. Students solve real-world challenges for host organizations while building networks and gaining relevant work experience. The program includes weekly social and professional events, project presentations, and an alumni network.
• Mingel Networking Events Monthly informal afterwork networking event for professionals to meet new people, learn about the Haugalandet region, and connect with local businesses. Free attendance is encouraged by Haugaland Vekst.
• Jobbhjelperen Free job-search assistance service for people wanting to relocate to the Haugalandet region, including help for partners of relocated professionals. Connects candidates with employers through the Talentsamarbeidet network.
• Talentsamarbeidet Partnership Network Partnership network of more than 30 private and public-sector organizations collaborating on talent attraction and recruitment to the Haugalandet region. Provides career events, Sildikon Valley participation, Mingel hosting, and international recruitment opportunities for partner employers.
• Yrkesmessa Career Fair Annual career fair held over two days in September that connects youth (primarily secondary school students) with businesses and educational institutions. Features approximately 4,500 visitors annually, with companies showcasing industries, occupations, and career pathways, and industry-specific exhibition areas.
• Matregion Haugalandet Regional food initiative involving nine municipalities working to strengthen local food production, demand, and distribution on Haugalandet. Aims to create new business opportunities, promote sustainability, and improve public health and food security; awarded one million kroner from Rogaland fylkeskommune.
• Havvind (Offshore Wind Strategic Initiative) Strategic initiative positioning Haugalandet as Norway's center for offshore wind development. Coordinates regional efforts for Utsira Nord wind farm development, leveraging proximity to North Sea basins, sheltered fjords, and existing infrastructure; partners with Norwegian Offshore Wind cluster (400+ members) and Karmsund Havn.
• Grønn energi & industri (Green Energy and Industry) Green energy and industry initiative focused on positioning Haugalandet as a power center in the green transition. Supports new green industry establishments, industrial transformation, and sustainable resource cycles across the region.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SjøfartsdirektoratetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSjøfartsdirektoratet (Norwegian Maritime Authority) participates in Talentsamarbeidet, collaborating on talent attraction initiatives and career events. Participates in Sildikon Valley summer internship program, offering projects in law, marine engineering, maritime studies, and digital security.
• GasscocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGassco is operator for all Norwegian gas transport from offshore to Europe. Active in Talentsamarbeidet and Sildikon Valley, offering data science and AI projects. Contributes to regional talent attraction efforts.
• Helse FonnacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional health authority with approximately 4,200 employees providing specialized health services. Active in Talentsamarbeidet, participating in career events and offering HR/organizational projects through Sildikon Valley.
• Haugaland KraftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional energy company with over 116 years of history building critical infrastructure. Key partner in green transition initiatives and Talentsamarbeidet, offering energy and power engineering projects through Sildikon Valley.
• DeepOceancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology-driven subsea services provider. Active in Talentsamarbeidet and Sildikon Valley, offering projects in informatics, data engineering, visualization, and gaming development.
• AutoStorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian unicorn and technology company specializing in robot-based storage solutions. Active in Talentsamarbeidet and Sildikon Valley, offering projects across business, engineering, data science, robotics, and HR with their 8-week Summer Internship Program.
• BouvetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of Norway's largest IT consulting companies with over 2,400 employees nationally. Partner in Talentsamarbeidet and Sildikon Valley, offering system development and design projects. Nearly 70 employees at Haugesund office specializing in industrial digitalization.
• Hydro KarmøycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading supplier of specially produced press bolts and aluminum wire with 550 employees. Key industrial partner in Talentsamarbeidet, representing the region's manufacturing sector and green industry transition.
• Høgskulen på Vestlandet (HVL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of Norway's largest educational institutions with approximately 16,500 students. Partner in Talentsamarbeidet with campus in Haugesund, offering further education programs in wind power, sustainability, and other relevant fields.
• KystdesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh-tech maritime design company and main partner in Talentsamarbeidet. Specializes in mechanical design, hydraulic systems, electronics, and software development. Always seeking talented individuals.
• Haugesund kommunecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest city in the region with approximately 40,000 residents. Active in Talentsamarbeidet and Sildikon Valley, offering IT and service design projects for municipal digital solutions.
• Karmøy kommunecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest employer in the region. Partner in Talentsamarbeidet and Sildikon Valley, offering projects in education technology and AI for secondary schools.
• Tysvær kommunecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipality hosting Haugaland Næringspark. Active in Talentsamarbeidet, Matregion Haugalandet project, and green industry development initiatives.
• Vindafjord kommunecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipality in the region. Partner in Talentsamarbeidet and Sildikon Valley, offering projects in HR, marketing, and strategic recruitment.
• Etne kommuneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmall municipality partner in Talentsamarbeidet, focusing on regional recruitment and development.
• Sveio kommuneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipality partner in Talentsamarbeidet, with approximately 460 employees across health, education, and technical sectors.
• DNV AScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent assurance and risk management provider operating in more than 100 countries. Partner in Talentsamarbeidet, contributing to regional safety, quality, and sustainability initiatives.
• NORCEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent research institute with activity in energy, health, climate, environment, society, and technology. Partner in Talentsamarbeidet with regional research expertise.
• HelgevoldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading automation and electrical contractor in the region. Partner in Talentsamarbeidet and Sildikon Valley, offering projects in data, IT, marketing, and UX design.
• SEAMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading supplier of zero-emission solutions for maritime industry. Partner in Talentsamarbeidet and Sildikon Valley, offering projects in green maritime technology.
• Marine AluminiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading supplier of safe and reliable aluminum access products for land-based, offshore, wind, and marine sectors since 1953. Partner in Talentsamarbeidet.
• Omega 365minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal company headquartered in Ølensvåg, delivering project management systems and personnel. Partner in Talentsamarbeidet and Sildikon Valley.
• UPTIME InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal leader in motion compensated logistics solutions for offshore wind and oil & gas industries. Partner in Talentsamarbeidet.
• AdeccominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStaffing and recruitment company participating in Talentsamarbeidet, helping connect talent with job opportunities in the region.
• NAV MarkedminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublic employment service helping with recruitment and job matching. Partner in Talentsamarbeidet supporting regional workforce development.
• Norwegian Offshore WindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorway's largest industry cluster for offshore wind, headquartered in Haugesund with over 400 members. Key strategic partner in regional offshore wind development and Utsira Nord initiatives.
• Karmsund HavncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorway's largest port on the West coast by cargo throughput. Strategic partner in regional infrastructure development, logistics, and offshore wind hub initiatives.
• Sunnhordland Kraftlag (SKL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmong Norway's ten largest hydroelectric producers. Partner in regional renewable energy development and green industry initiatives.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/haugalandvekst

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 Haugaland Vekst