Sunndal Næringsselskap

What Sunndal Næringsselskap does

Sunndal Næringsselskap (SUNS) is a private limited company (aksjeselskap) 100% owned by Sunndal municipality, operating as the commune's designated business development entity since 1987. The company delivers free business advisory to entrepreneurs and existing SMBs, administers municipal and county grant programs (attractiveness funds of 100,000 NOK annually, Sunndalsfondet of up to 500,000 NOK annually, clarification funds of up to 30,000 NOK), and serves as a certified hoppid.no office providing digital startup tools. Its portfolio spans four program families: core advisory services (Etablererveiledning, Bedriftsutvikling), strategic projects (Sirkulære Sunndal Hub for circular economy with 6 partners, Aluminium Innovation Valley business network of 10 firms), community initiatives (Gården som ressurs, Integrering og rekruttering, Kreativt nettverk), and convening events (Sunndalskonferansen, Bli med Hit recruitment fairs).

SUNS employs four staff — Managing Director Tove-Lise Torve and three project managers (Ane Wennevold, Sigrun Rødset, Vebjørn Bergem Sørheim) — and is funded primarily through Sunndal kommune appropriations plus project-specific grants from Innovasjon Norge (notably 800,000 NOK for Aluminium Innovation Valley and 100,000 NOK for the ALU-nettverk pre-study) and Møre og Romsdal county (315,000 NOK for integration, 250,000 NOK for the Cowork creative-industries study). The company's technology stack is minimal: a Squarespace-hosted website (suns.no), email newsletter, social media, and integrations to national entrepreneur portals. There are no proprietary technology products, AI/ML capabilities, or app-based revenue channels.

The company's business model is non-commercial: services are free to users, and grant funds largely pass through to recipients. Monetization is indirect — SUNS captures municipal operating budget allocations and is reimbursed for project management of externally funded programs. Its principal customers are SMBs and individual entrepreneurs in Sunndal (Nordmøre region), with a secondary cluster of large industrial firms (Hydro Sunndal, Hycast, Storvik, Bilfinger, etc.) participating in industrial network programs. Strategic priorities articulated in the SUNS 2023–2026 strategy plan center on positioning Sunndal as "Norway's best place to establish and operate business," and the company is currently executing against expanding mandates in circular economy, low-carbon aluminium, tourism strategy 2025–2035, and creative industries — even as headcount remains flat.

Name

Sunndal Næringsselskap

Legal name

Sunndal Næringsselskap AS

Website

https://suns.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sunndal Næringsselskap is a municipal business development company (100% owned by Sunndal kommune, Norway) that delivers free advisory, grants administration, and project coordination to entrepreneurs, SMBs, and industrial firms in the Sunndal/Nordmøre region, supported by a four-person staff and external public funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

SME & Entrepreneurship Development (Trade-Linked) (BPADAMAE), Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM)

Keywords

• Business development services
• Municipal economic development
• Entrepreneurship support
• Grant administration
• Regional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Sunndalsøra

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Municipal Funding and Public Grants: SUNS is a private limited company (aksjeselskap) 100% owned by Sunndal municipality. The organization receives funding from the municipality and administers various public grant programs including attractiveness funds (attraktivitetsmidler) of 100,000 NOK annually and Sunndalsfondet with up to 500,000 NOK annually for sustainable development projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Sunndal Næringsselskap (SUNS) is a municipal business development company that provides free business advisory services, entrepreneurship guidance through the hoppid.no portal, grant administration (Attraktivitetsmidler and Sunndalsfondet), and coordination of regional development projects including Sirkulære Sunndal Hub for circular economy and Aluminium Innovation Valley for industrial networking. The organization serves as the primary gateway connecting local entrepreneurs, existing businesses, and community stakeholders with funding, networks, and development support in the Sunndal region.

Product overview

Sunndal Næringsselskap (SUNS) is a business development company owned by Sunndal municipality, offering advisory and support services rather than a unified software product. The portfolio consists of programs and initiatives including: startup guidance through the hoppid.no portal (Etablererveiledning), business development advisory services (Bedriftsutvikling), funding programs like Attraktivitetsmidler grants and Sunndalsfondet, and several strategic projects such as Sirkulære Sunndal Hub for circular economy, Aluminium Innovation Valley for industrial networking, and Gården som ressurs for agricultural value creation. Additional services include recruitment support (Bli med Hit!), entrepreneurship coordination (Entreprenørskapsårshjulet), integration programs, and the annual Sunndalskonferansen event. These services operate as distinct programs with separate funding sources and target groups, connected through SUNS's coordination role and partnership network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Etablererveiledning (Startup Guidance / hoppid-kontor) Free entrepreneurial guidance services for startups and new businesses, providing up to 10 hours of free consulting, access to digital business development tools via the hoppid.no portal, and assistance with clarification funds of up to 30,000 NOK.
• Bedriftsutvikling (Business Development Advisory) Advisory services for existing businesses including guidance on funding schemes, subsidies, and development measures, with connections to regional support networks and partners.
• Attraktivitetsmidler (Attractiveness Funds) Grant program providing up to 100,000 NOK annually to projects that promote Sunndal as an attractive place to live, visit, and conduct business, targeting local organizations and entrepreneurs.
• Sirkulære Sunndal Hub Three-year development project supported by Innovasjon Norge to increase circularity, strengthen industrial cooperation, and realize new industrial symbioses in Sunndal, involving six partner organizations including Hydro Sunndal, Sunndal Energi, and Sunndal municipality.
• Aluminium Innovation Valley Business network for aluminum industry companies established in 2025 with 800,000 NOK support from Innovasjon Norge, focusing on technology development, circular economy, competence building, and profiling. Includes 10 member companies with long-term ambition to make Sunndal a leading technology cluster for sustainable, low-carbon aluminum products.
• Gården som ressurs (The Farm as Resource) Project to mobilize actors using farms as resources for value creation, networking, and community development, with focus on local food production, sales, and distribution.
• Integrering og rekruttering i arbeidslivet (Integration and Recruitment to Working Life) Project funded by 315,000 NOK from Møre og Romsdal county to increase interaction between business, municipality, and immigrants through mini-fairs, CV courses, mentoring, and Norwegian language training.
• Entreprenørskapsårshjulet (Entrepreneurship Annual Wheel) Coordination program bridging school, business, and municipality to promote entrepreneurship, recruitment, and community attachment, using Ungt Entreprenørskap's portfolio including innovation camps and work experience weeks.
• Sunndalskonferansen Annual business conference for regional industry and public sector stakeholders, covering topics like competitiveness, industrial development, and power situation.
• Reiselivsstrategi / Masterplan for reisemålsutvikling (Tourism Destination Strategy) Tourism destination development strategy for 2025-2035, developed on behalf of Sunndal municipality, with recommendations for experience development, accommodation, transport, and destination management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Attractiveness funds distributed to 12 projects in 2026, with 19 total applications
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Visit NorthWestmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2026Visit NorthWest is the newly established destination management company for Møre og Romsdal county, formed by merging regional tourism organizations. Tove-Lise Torve from SUNS serves on the board.
• Hydro Sunndal AScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026Hydro Sunndal AS is a major aluminium production facility in Sunndal and a key consortium partner in Sirkulære Sunndal Hub. The company participates in industrial symbiosis and circular economy initiatives coordinated by SUNS.
• Sunndal Energi AScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026Sunndal Energi AS is a local energy company and consortium partner in Sirkulære Sunndal Hub, providing district heating infrastructure and participating in circular economy development.
• Ottem Recycling AScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026Ottem Recycling AS (also referred to as Ottem Resirk AS) is an environmental services company and consortium partner in Sirkulære Sunndal Hub, focusing on waste management and recycling solutions.
• Sunndal Næringseiendom AScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026Sunndal Næringseiendom AS (property company) is a consortium partner in Sirkulære Sunndal Hub, contributing real estate and infrastructure perspectives to circular economy development.
• Industrikraft AScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026Industrikraft AS is an industrial power company and consortium partner in Sirkulære Sunndal Hub, supporting industrial development through energy solutions.
• Sunndal kommunecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026Sunndal municipality is a consortium partner in Sirkulære Sunndal Hub and the sole owner of SUNS. The municipality collaborates on regional development, entrepreneurship, and community initiatives.
• Hycast AScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2025Hycast AS is an aluminium casting company and founding member of the Aluminium Innovation Valley network, participating in technology development and R&D collaboration.
• Storvik AScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2025Storvik AS is an industrial company and founding member of Aluminium Innovation Valley network, contributing to technology development and export growth initiatives.
• Bratseth AScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2025Bratseth AS is a company participating in the Aluminium Innovation Valley network, contributing to industry collaboration and development initiatives.
• Langset Mek AScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2025Langset Mek AS is a manufacturing company and member of the Aluminium Innovation Valley network for industry collaboration.
• Protech AScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2025Protech AS is a technology company participating in Aluminium Innovation Valley network for innovation and R&D collaboration.
• SITO Mek AScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2025SITO Mek AS is a manufacturing company and founding member of Aluminium Innovation Valley network.
• El-Watch AScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2025El-Watch AS is an electronics company participating in Aluminium Innovation Valley network for technology development.
• Bilfinger Norway AScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2025Bilfinger Norway AS is an engineering company participating in the Aluminium Innovation Valley network for industry collaboration.
• ProtomoreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProtomore Knowledge Park in Molde is part of the national expert center for innovation and provides programs like Drivkraft for small businesses in the region.
• VindelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVindel is the innovation company for Nordmøre, offering services for both startups and established businesses.
• iKubenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCE iKuben is a cross-disciplinary industrial cluster and national competence center with administration in Møre og Romsdal (Molde).
• NTNU GjøvikminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNTNU Gjøvik offers decentralized engineering education in mechanical engineering, coordinated with SUNS and local companies for regional workforce development.
• Sunndal Næringsforening (SNF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSunndal Næringsforening (SNF) is the local business association that administers Sunndalsfondet grants. SNF collaborates with SUNS on various initiatives including næringspriser and events.
• 2469 ReiselivsutviklingmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner2469 Reiselivsutvikling is a tourism development consultancy that conducted destination analysis for Sunndal and assists with tourism strategy and master planning.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Innovasjon Norge (Innovation Norway): Norway's national innovation and business development agency, which is both a direct funding partner and a broader incumbent that funds and shapes municipal development companies like SUNS. Operates the same business advisory, grant administration, and cluster development functions at national scale.
• Trondheim Tech Port: Norwegian municipal business development company serving the Trondheim tech and industrial cluster with comparable investment attraction, cluster management, and incubation functions. Operates at much larger scale than SUNS but provides a template of the same næringsselskap model.
• Siva SF: Norwegian state-owned innovation infrastructure company that owns and operates incubators, industrial real estate, and innovation centers across Norway. Provides comparable business development infrastructure to municipalities, including funding SUNS-style regional hubs.

Direct peers

• Visit NorthWest: Newly established destination management company for Møre og Romsdal covering tourism promotion, experience development, and destination strategy — directly comparable to SUNS's tourism and reisemål development remit. SUNS's Managing Director sits on the board, evidencing tight functional overlap.
• Protomore Knowledge Park: Knowledge park and innovation hub in Molde that operates programs like 'Drivkraft' for SMB development — a directly comparable publicly funded business development entity operating in the same Møre og Romsdal region. SUNS is listed as a strategic partner.
• Sunndal Næringsforening (SNF): Local business association for Sunndal that co-administers Sunndalsfondet grants alongside SUNS. Comparable mandate (business advocacy, member services, events) and identical customer base, making it a direct local peer rather than a partner.
• 2469 Reiselivsutvikling: Tourism development consultancy that produced Sunndal's destination masterplan for SUNS. Directly comparable in scope (destination strategy, experience development, tourism cluster coordination) and operates as a specialized complement/competitor in the same niche.
• Vindel: Innovation company serving Nordmøre (the same region as SUNS), offering startup and SMB services. Directly comparable in mandate and target customers, with overlapping geographies; SUNS lists Vindel as a partner.
• NCE iKuben: Cross-disciplinary Norwegian Centre of Expertise (NCE) industrial cluster headquartered in Molde, Møre og Romsdal. SUNS is an active partner of iKuben, and both deliver cluster management, R&D facilitation, and competence-building services to regional industry with overlapping industrial symbiosis objectives.

Regional players

• Molde Næringsforum: Regional business development association in Molde delivering business advisory, networking, and policy advocacy. Comparable mandate and service mix to SUNS but serving Molde/Romsdal rather than Sunndal, positioning it as a regional rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Sunndal Næringsselskap