Sandefjord Næringsforening

Name

Sandefjord Næringsforening

Legal name

Sandefjord Næringsforening

Website

https://sandefjordnaringsforening.no

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sandefjord Næringsforening is a Norwegian business association founded in 1972 that serves as the primary networking and business development platform for 100+ member companies in the Sandefjord region, operating the Gründeriet startup incubator, U40 young professionals network, and Miljøfyrtårn group certification program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sandefjord

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Sandefjord Næringsforening generates revenue through annual membership fees from local businesses in Sandefjord. Members receive access to networking events, professional development programs, sustainability certification support, and member-to-member discount programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sandefjord Næringsforening is an independent, member-owned business association that serves as the primary meeting place for businesses in Sandefjord, Norway. It delivers membership-based services including networking events, the Gründeriet startup incubator, U40 young professional network, Miljøfyrtårn group sustainability certification, and advocacy for the local business community with municipal government. Membership grants access to over 100 annual events, member-to-member discount programs, and business development resources.

Product overview

Sandefjord Næringsforening operates as a chamber of commerce and business association offering a portfolio of membership-based services, networking platforms, and professional development programs. The core offerings include the Gründeriet startup incubator, U40 youth professional network, Planforum planning forum, and Gründertorget digital marketplace. The association also provides Miljøfyrtårn (Eco-lighthouse) group certification services for environmental compliance, organizes the annual Torpkonferansen conference, and maintains a comprehensive member benefits program with various partner discounts. This is a single-service organization structure centered on membership services rather than a modular software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gründeriet: A startup incubator and co-working space operated by Sandefjord Næringsforening in cooperation with Sandefjord municipality. Offers business support, mentorship, and networking for entrepreneurs.
• U40 Sandefjord
• Tenk Sandefjord
• Globale Sandefjord
• Sandefjord Planforum
• Torpkonferansen

Products and services

• Gründeriet Startup Incubator A startup hub and incubator program established in collaboration with Sandefjord municipality, offering workspace, mentorship, networking opportunities, and business support services for entrepreneurs. Has achieved an 86% success rate for affiliated startup companies and over 100 companies attached.
• U40 Sandefjord Young Professional Network A networking group for young professionals aged 20-40 years, organized by Sandefjord Næringsforening to build social and professional relationships across industries and businesses. Includes events on tourism, trends, and talent in the Vestfold region.
• Sandefjord Planforum A collaboration forum between Sandefjord municipality and Sandefjord Næringsforening, held twice yearly, addressing urban development and real estate planning topics for property developers, planners, and real estate agents.
• Gründertorget Digital Marketplace A digital marketplace developed by Gründeriet/Sandefjord Næringsforening connecting customers with startups affiliated with Gründeriet, facilitating local commerce and easy discovery of products and services offered by local entrepreneurs.
• Miljøfyrtårn Group Certification Group certification program in Eco-lighthouse (Miljøfyrtårn) environmental certification, offered to member companies. Over 60 local businesses have completed the certification through Sandefjord Næringsforening.
• Torpkonferansen Annual Conference Annual conference organized by Sandefjord Næringsforening, with the 2026 edition themed 'Vi og verden' (Us and the World) held at Scandic Park Sandefjord. The 13th edition is scheduled for 310 participants.
• Medlemskap og Medlemstilbud (Membership Program) Membership program offering networking events, business support, member-to-member discounts (e.g., ManageEngine solutions, fire safety inspections, HR services, festival tickets), and access to various business development resources and community platforms. Annual subscription based, pricing not publicly disclosed.

Quantifiable outcome

• 86% success rate for Gründerbedrifter (startup companies)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sandefjord kommune (Sandefjord Municipality)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing strategic partnership with Sandefjord municipality for business development initiatives. Jointly operates Gründeriet startup incubator, organizes Planforum for property developers, and collaborates on strategic business planning including Sandefjordsindeksen (local business index). Municipality provides administrative support and strategic alignment.
• LedeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLede is one of Norway's largest power grid companies and contributes to SNF events on electrification and future power needs. Presented at SNF's January 2027 event on electrical infrastructure development.
• GoogleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoogle is investing billions in Skien building a state-of-the-art data center at Gromstul. Presented at SNF's January 2027 event on electrification and power needs.
• Skagerrak TechnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic collaboration partner with Komplett.no for the Komplettligaen (e-sports league), Norway's largest e-sports league. SNF features local business developments like this through news and events.
• GründerietcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGründeriet is SNF's flagship startup incubator initiative, established in partnership with Sandefjord municipality. Provides co-working space, mentorship, business support, and connects entrepreneurs to the broader Norwegian startup ecosystem including educational institutions.
• Visit VestfoldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional tourism organization collaborating on U40 events focused on tourism, trends, and talent in Vestfold region.
• Southampton Solent UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnglish university partnering with Gokstad Akademiet to offer international bachelor's degrees, enabling Norwegian students to complete higher education locally and abroad.
• U40 SandefjordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth professional network for workers aged 20-40, organized under SNF. Aims to increase social and professional cohesion and build relationships across industries and companies. Open to all.
• Globale SandefjordminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative under SNF focused on international business development and global opportunities for local companies.
• Tenk SandefjordminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic initiative focusing on employment and local business development, including job portal integration.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Oslo Handelsstands Forening (Oslo Chamber of Commerce): Historic Oslo-based business association representing the capital's commercial interests. Comparable in core function (membership, advocacy, networking, events) but operates at significantly larger scale and in a major metropolitan market.
• Bergen Næringsråd: Bergen's chamber of commerce and business association, providing advocacy, networking events, and business-development services to local companies. Closely comparable in mandate and member-funded model to Sandefjord Næringsforening, though operating in a larger city.
• Trondheim Næringsforening: Business association serving Trondheim and surrounding region. Closely analogous in mandate — networking events, advocacy, business development programs — with comparable programming structure to SNF.
• Bodø Næringsråd: Business association serving the Bodø region in northern Norway. Comparable as a regional næringsråd delivering networking, advocacy, and member services to a mid-sized Norwegian city.
• Næringsforeningen i Drammensregionen: Business association serving the Drammen region — comparable in city size, geographic scope, and member-funded association structure to Sandefjord Næringsforening.
• Næringsforeningen i Kristiansand: Business association serving the Kristiansand region in southern Norway. Similar membership-based model, networking events, and local economic development focus — a good size-and-scope peer for SNF.
• Næringsforeningen i Stavanger-regionen: One of the largest and most established Norwegian business associations serving the greater Stavanger region. Directly comparable as a member-funded næringsforening running events, networking, and business-development programs for a regional membership base.
• Næringsforeningen Tønsberg-regionen: Closest geographic peer, operating in the neighboring Vestfold city of Tønsberg. Highly comparable in scale, programming (networking, advocacy, events), and target member base of regional SMBs.

Broad incumbents

• Næringslivets Hovedorganisasjon (NHO): Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise, the largest national employer and business association federation. Operates at a much broader scale than SNF, providing advocacy and services that overlap with næringsforeninger but at national scope.
• Innovasjon Norge (Innovation Norway): Norwegian government's national innovation and business-development agency. Broader incumbent that overlaps with SNF's Gründeriet incubator and Tenk Sandefjord programs at national scale, with greater funding and policy reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sandefjord-n-ringsforening

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Sandefjord Næringsforening