What Telemark Næringshage does

Telemark Næringshage AS (Org.nr. 998 060 338) is a publicly-funded Norwegian business development organization headquartered in Kviteseid, operating under the SIVA næringshage model to deliver subsidized advisory services to small and medium-sized enterprises across Telemark county. Founded in 2012, the firm maintains a distributed node network spanning multiple Telemark municipalities and a named team of seven staff. Its core service lines are business advising (bedriftsrådgivning), competency brokering (kompetansemegling), startup guidance (gründerveiledning), training courses, and Miljøfyrtårn environmental certification support — the last delivered by in-house certified consultants and complemented by organization-level Miljøfyrtårn certification held since 2021.

The underlying delivery model is human-advisory rather than technology-platform based. Service operations rely on standard marketing and communications tooling (Squarespace, Mailchimp, Google Analytics), with no proprietary software, data products, or AI/ML systems disclosed. The startup package is fixed at 10,000 NOK plus VAT for 30 hours, and standard hourly advisory is priced at 1,400 NOK with SIVA subsidies reducing client out-of-pocket cost to 350 NOK per hour (a 75% subsidy at the low end, 25% at the high end).

The revenue model is a hybrid of public appropriations and client co-payments. Income is sourced from SIVA block grants, the Research Council of Norway (Forskningsrådet), Telemark Fylkeskommune (county municipality), and private fees from SME clients. Strategic partners include Innovasjon Norge, Telemark Fylkeskommune, and other regional development bodies, with co-positioning around sustainability programming via the Bærekraftprisen partnership. Target segments span rural SMEs in traditional industries as well as tourism, culture, and the experience economy.

Name

Telemark Næringshage

Legal name

Telemark Næringshage AS

Website

https://telemarknh.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Telemark Næringshage is a publicly-funded Norwegian business development organization operating a distributed, SIVA-subsidized advisory network that delivers business consulting, startup guidance, competency brokering, and Miljøfyrtårn certification support to SMEs across Telemark county.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Development and Advisory Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Workforce & Career Transition Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAC), EMS Training & Competency Development (EUAHAIAH)

Keywords

• Business advisory services
• Competence brokering
• Startup consulting
• Miljøfyrtårn certification
• SME development

Headquarters

HQ city

Kviteseid

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Subsidized Business Consulting Services: Telemark Næringshage provides business consulting services funded primarily through SIVA subsidies. Companies pay a reduced co-payment (from 350 NOK per hour) while SIVA covers between 25% and 75% of the standard hourly rate of 1,400 NOK. This creates a hybrid revenue model combining public funding with client fees.
2. Startup Package Sales: The organization offers a 30-hour startup package (Oppstartspakken) for 10,000 NOK + VAT, providing business development guidance from idea to launch. Individual consulting hours are also sold separately from 350 NOK per hour.
3. Public Funding and Grants: As a SIVA partner, the organization receives public funds to support its operations and advisory services for regional businesses. The competency brokerage service is co-funded by the Research Council of Norway (Forskningsrådet) and Telemark County Municipality.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Telemark Næringshage provides subsidized business advisory, competence brokering, startup guidance, training courses, and Miljøfyrtårn environmental certification consulting to small and medium-sized enterprises in Telemark's rural municipalities. The Utviklingspakken offers a 30-hour development program for established businesses, the Oppstartspakken is a 30-hour startup package priced at 10,000 NOK plus VAT, and Kompetansemegling links businesses to research institutions for R&D projects at no cost.

Product overview

Telemark Næringshage is a business development organization providing advisory services to small and medium-sized enterprises in Telemark. The service portfolio consists of three core consulting packages: Utviklingspakken (30-hour development program for established businesses), Oppstartspakken (30-hour startup guidance package), and Kompetansemegling (competence brokering for R&D projects). An additional module, Miljøfyrtårn Sertifiseringsveiledning, offers environmental certification consulting. Services are delivered through a network of advisors across the region, with the SIVA næringshageprogram providing subsidized access for qualifying businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Utviklingspakken (Development Package) A 30-hour structured consulting program for established SMEs in Telemark's rural municipalities seeking to strengthen market position, identify growth opportunities, and make better strategic decisions. Includes situation analysis, growth identification, competency mapping, government support schemes, and action planning. Delivered at subsidized rates under the SIVA næringshageprogram.
• Oppstartspakken (Startup Package) A 30-hour startup assistance package priced at 10,000 NOK plus VAT that guides entrepreneurs in Telemark from idea to execution. Covers business concept development, market clarification, business planning, regulatory compliance, and financing options. Individual consulting hours are also available from 350 NOK.
• Kompetansemegling (Competence Brokering) Free R&D advisory service that connects Telemark businesses, particularly in culture, tourism, and experience sectors, with external research expertise regionally, nationally, and internationally. Supports knowledge needs assessment, research partner identification, and funding application support including SkatteFUNN. Co-funded by the Research Council of Norway and Telemark County Municipality.
• Miljøfyrtårn Sertifiseringsveiledning (Environmental Certification Consulting) Environmental certification guidance delivered by an approved Miljøfyrtårn consultant. Includes environmental mapping, criteria implementation, digital documentation in the Miljøfyrtårn portal, and third-party verification through Certnor AS. Available as individual tailored guidance or group facilitation for businesses seeking Miljøfyrtårn certification.

Quantifiable outcome

• Companies receive subsidized advisory services with SIVA covering 25-75% of costs, reducing effective hourly rate to from 350 NOK per hour

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

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

• SIVAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTelemark Næringshage is a SIVA partner and delivers the SIVA næringshageprogram (business incubator program) in Telemark. SIVA provides public funding to support small and medium-sized businesses with development projects through Telemark Næringshage's advisory services.
• Telemark Fylkeskommune (Telemark County Municipality)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-funders of the competency brokerage service (Kompetansemegling) along with the Research Council of Norway. Collaboration on regional development initiatives.
• Innovasjon NorgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational innovation agency. Collaborates on events, webinars, and funding opportunities. Co-hosts startup webinars and regional events.
• Forskningsrådet (Research Council of Norway)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-funders of the competency brokerage service along with Telemark County Municipality. Provides access to R&D funding programs like SkatteFUNN.
• Næringshagene i NorgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network of business incubators. Collaborates on webinars, training, and knowledge sharing across Norway. Co-hosts industry webinars on topics like AI, HR, and cybersecurity.
• KompetanseforummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional competence forum. Co-hosts webinars and professional development events with Telemark Næringshage.
• ProventiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSIVA incubator operating in Porsgrunn. Node partner for Notodden area. Runs Start i Grenland establishment service. Thomas Åmot provides business development support through the node.
• Fyresdal NæringshagemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNode partner in Fyresdal. Olav and Kristin from Silva Consult AS deliver advisory services with specialization in bioeconomy.
• Midt-Telemark Næringsutvikling (MTNU)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNode partner in Bø. Municipal business company assisting entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses with advisory and guidance services.
• Sparebanken DINmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional bank. Co-hosts events including Bærekraftprisen award, Gründeruka, and networking events. Provides sponsorship and partnership for regional business development activities.
• Vest-Telemark NæringsforumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional business forum. Collaborates on events and business networking activities in West Telemark.
• Certnor ASminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndependent certification body that verifies and approves businesses meeting Miljøfyrtårn certification criteria. Conducts third-party verification for environmental certification.
• Notodden UtviklingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBusiness development partner on Notodden. Part of the Gründeruka collaboration. Establishes entrepreneur services in the Notodden area.
• Rjukan Næringsutvikling (RNU)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBusiness development organization for Rjukan and Tinn municipalities. Provides establishment services as part of the entrepreneur service network.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Innovasjon Norge: Norway's national innovation agency providing business advisory, funding programs, and innovation services to SMEs nationwide. Co-hosts events and funding programs with Telemark Næringshage and represents a broader incumbent offering that overlaps with its advisory and innovation mandate.

Others

• SIVA (Selskapet for Industrivekst): State-owned enterprise that operates the næringshageprogram and incubators program funding Telemark Næringshage's subsidized advisory offering. Acts as ecosystem enabler and primary funding partner rather than a direct competitor, but its policy decisions shape Telemark Næringshage's operating envelope.

Direct peers

• Midt-Telemark Næringsutvikling (MTNU): Municipal business company acting as a node partner for Telemark Næringshage in Midt-Telemark/Bø. Assists entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses with advisory services in the same region under similar public-funded development structures.
• Fyresdal Næringshage: Local næringshage serving as a node partner for Telemark Næringshage in Fyresdal. Delivers SIVA-aligned business advisory with bioeconomy specialization through Silva Consult AS, and operates under the same subsidized business development model for rural Telemark SMEs.
• Rjukan Næringsutvikling (RNU): Business development organization for Rjukan and Tinn municipalities. Provides establishment services as part of the entrepreneur service network and is a Telemark Næringshage partner, operating a parallel publicly-supported SME advisory model in the same county.
• Kunnskapsparken Helgeland: Regional knowledge park and næringshage in northern Norway delivering subsidized business development, innovation, and R&D advisory to SMEs in the Helgeland region. Closely comparable SIVA-franchised operating model serving a different rural geography.
• Proventia: SIVA-certified business incubator operating in Porsgrunn and serving as a node partner for Telemark Næringshage. Operates the Start i Grenland establishment service and provides business development advisory to SMEs in the Grenland region under the same SIVA næringshageprogram framework.
• Notodden Utvikling: Business development partner for the Notodden area and Gründeruka collaborator. Establishes entrepreneur services in the Notodden region, mirroring Telemark Næringshage's startup support offering for early-stage companies in Telemark.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Telemarknh

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Telemark Næringshage