Vitensenter Nordland

What Vitensenter Nordland does

Vitensenter Nordland AS is a non-profit regional science center headquartered in Mo i Rana, Norway, serving all of Nordland county with hands-on STEM experiences. Founded in 2019 and fully operational since 2021, the center operates eight interactive thematic exhibition zones covering Body, Earth and Universe, Physical Phenomena, Sustainability/Climate, Nordland's Natural Resources, Mathematics, Senses, and Energy, complemented by live science demonstrations (Vitenshow), a Newton Room practical laboratory, and a planned 60-120 seat planetarium currently seeking funding. It serves a diverse audience including kindergartens and schools (kindergarten through upper secondary), families, corporate clients, and visitors to the Helgeland region, with all school programs aligned to the Norwegian LK20 curriculum. Co-owned by 19 regional stakeholders led by Mo Industripark AS at 25% ownership, the center operates within Norway's national science center structure and is Miljøfyrtårn-certified.

The core offering combines permanent interactive exhibits with specialized facilities and a curated portfolio of educational and event programs. Educational offerings span curriculum-aligned school visits, talent programs for gifted students (Talentsenter i realfag), teacher training courses, summer camps (Forskerfabrikken, Ferieforsker, Sommerlab), and national initiatives including FIRST LEGO League, super:bit coding competition, and Girl Tech Fest. The technology backbone is interactive physical exhibits rather than a software platform; the digital layer is limited to a webshop for ticketing (webshop.vitensenternordland.no), Hoopla for event registration, Mailchimp newsletters, and standard Cloudflare and Google Analytics infrastructure. Specialized multi-year projects include Rom i Nord (space technology 2026-2029 across Nordland, Troms, and Finnmark), Kystkultur i 3D (cultural heritage digitization), Hjernen vårt (brain education 2026-2028), and an Arctic Race of Norway 2026 trophy design competition for grade 9 students.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining per-visitor ticket sales (140 NOK adults, 115 NOK children, 550 NOK family pass), reduced-rate school group bookings (65 NOK per child), birthday party packages (Vitenbursdag at 184 NOK/child, Aktivitetsbursdag at 242 NOK/child), summer camps (495-695 NOK per participant), and corporate venue rental with full AV setup, team-building activities (VitenKampen), and catering by the co-located Sjyéen Restaurant. The center also draws on a four-tier sponsorship structure (Innovasjonsmester/Gold, Viteninvestor, Vitenskapspionér/Silver, Realfagsentusiast/Bronze) and project-based grants from public funders including Nordland Fylkeskommune, Rana kommune, Norges Forskningsråd, Stiftelsen Dam, Utdanningsdirektoratet, and Innovasjon Norge, alongside private partners such as Equinor, Tekna, NITO, and the 19 regional shareholders. Per the 2024 annual report, outreach programs reached more than one-third of Nordland's 26,000 primary school students. The center is an active member of Ecsite, the European network of 300+ science center institutions.

Name

Vitensenter Nordland

Legal name

Vitensenter Nordland AS

Website

https://vitensenternordland.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vitensenter Nordland is a non-profit regional science center in Mo i Rana, Norway, serving all of Nordland county with interactive STEM exhibitions, LK20-aligned school programs, summer camps, teacher training, and corporate events, co-owned by 19 regional stakeholders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Education Centre (STEM Learning)

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Coding, Game Design & Computer Science Camps (EDAMALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gifted, Advanced & Acceleration Centers (Honors/AP/IB Enrichment) (EDANAHAL), After-School Enrichment & Activities Facilitation (Arts/STEM/Clubs) (HSAAAHAD)

Keywords

• Interactive science exhibitions
• STEM education programs
• School curriculum programs
• Science centre events
• Educational venue rental

Headquarters

HQ city

Mo I Rana

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket sales and admission fees: The center generates revenue from admission tickets for individual visitors, families, and groups. Standard tickets are priced per person, with family/max tickets and annual passes also available. School and kindergarten visits are priced at reduced rates per child/student, with free entry for accompanying teachers and staff within quotas.
2. Birthday party packages: Two birthday party packages are offered: 'Vitenbursdag' (Science Birthday) at 184 kr per child with a minimum of 1,840 kr (10 children), and 'Aktivitetsbursdag' (Activity Birthday) at 242 kr per child with a minimum of 2,420 kr (10 children), including a facilitated workshop activity led by a 'Vitenvert'.
3. Venue rental and conference services: Revenue from renting meeting rooms, conference facilities, and team-building activities (VitenKampen) to businesses, organizations, and groups. Includes full AV setup, WiFi, and streaming capabilities. Sjyén Restaurant is co-located and provides catering. All revenues from venue operations go directly to supporting the center's operations, school programs, and exhibition development.
4. Partnership and sponsorship contributions: The center operates as a non-profit organization (ideell organisasjon / AS) with funding from public and private partners. Revenue includes sponsorship at four tiers (Innovasjonsmester/Gold, Viteninvestor, Vitenskapspionér/Silver, Realfagsentusiast/Bronze) and project-based grants from the Research Council of Norway (Norges Forskningsråd), Nordland County, Stiftelsen Dam, and others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Vitensenter Nordland AS operates a regional hands-on science centre in Mo i Rana, delivering interactive STEM exhibitions, live science shows, curriculum-aligned school and kindergarten programs, a Newton Room learning lab, summer camps (Forskerfabrikken, Ferieforsker, Sommerlab), coding competitions (FIRST LEGO League, super:bit), teacher training, children's birthday party packages, and conference/teambuilding facilities for businesses. The centre serves schools, families, and corporate clients across the Nordland county region.

Product overview

Vitensenter Nordland is a regional science center in Mo i Rana offering a comprehensive portfolio of interactive STEM experiences for children, youth, families, schools, and businesses. The core offering consists of hands-on interactive exhibitions organized in eight thematic zones (Body, Earth & Universe, Physical Phenomena, Sustainability, Natural Resources, Mathematics, Senses, and Energy) and spectacular science shows (Vitenshow) featuring live demonstrations. The center provides educational programs across all levels from kindergarten through upper secondary, including specialized offerings like the STEM Talent Center (Talentsenter i realfag), Newton Rana laboratory, and teacher training courses. Seasonal programs include summer schools (Forskerfabrikken, Ferieforsker, Sommerlab), coding competitions (Super:bit, First LEGO League), and family events like Barnas Ingeniørdag and Girl Tech Fest. Conference facilities include meeting rooms and teambuilding activities, while birthday party packages add family engagement. Collaborative projects like Rom i Nord (space technology) and Kystkultur i 3D (cultural heritage digitization) extend the educational mission into specialized domains. The center also partners with regional tourism through accommodation and experience booking services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Interactive Science Exhibitions Eight permanent interactive thematic exhibition zones covering Body, Earth & Universe, Physical Phenomena, Sustainability/Climate, Nordland Natural Resources, Mathematics, Senses, and Energy. Visitors explore at their own pace through hands-on activities, building, testing, and discovery. Open to individual visitors, families, and pre-booked groups Tue-Sun.
• Vitenshow (Science Show) Fast-paced live science demonstrations on stage featuring spectacular chemistry and physics experiments (flames, chemical reactions, liquid nitrogen, hydrogen, lycopodium) with audience participation. Two themed variants offered. Available to the public, schools, and corporate/private groups.
• Children's Birthday Parties (Vitenbursdag / Aktivitetsbursdag) Two birthday party packages for children aged 6-12: 'Vitenbursdag' (self-guided exploration, 184 kr/child, min 1,840 kr) and 'Aktivitetsbursdag' (facilitated workshop with candy-making, slime, or bath bombs, 242 kr/child, min 2,420 kr). Maximum 30 children, 2 hours + 30 minutes prep, accompanying adults enter free.
• Kurs & Konferanse (Courses & Conferences) Meeting rooms and conference facilities at the Mo i Rana venue for courses, seminars, workshops, and larger conferences, with optional VitenKampen teambuilding, experiment shows, and exhibition tours. On-site catering by Sjyéen Restaurant available in the same building.
• Summer Schools (Ferieforsker, Forskerfabrikken, Sommerlab) Multi-day summer STEM programs for school-age children: Ferieforsker for grades 2-3; Forskerfabrikken 'Vår magiske planet' for grades 4-6 across 5 days; Sommerlab for grades 4-6. Combines experiments, technology, mysteries, and creative activities led by centre educators.
• Newton Rana (Newton Room learning lab) Shared high-tech learning arena for practical mathematics, science, and technology education using professional-grade equipment aligned with the Norwegian curriculum, co-located within the centre and serving schools by arrangement.
• Talentsenter i realfag (STEM Talent Center) Regional talent program for high-potential students in grades 5 through VG2 across Nordland, providing advanced STEM challenges, researcher meetings, interdisciplinary projects, and hands-on experimentation beyond regular classroom instruction.
• Super:bit Coding Competition National coding competition for grades 5-7 using micro:bit microcontrollers and bit:bot vehicles. Students develop creative solutions to real societal challenges through algorithmic thinking and programming.
• First LEGO League Helgeland International robotics and innovation competition for ages 6-16 with two levels (FLL Explore using SPIKE Essential for ages 6-10; FLL Challenge using SPIKE Prime for ages 10-16). Includes regional finals, robot missions, and innovation projects co-organized nationally with Tekna.
• Teacher Training (Lærerkurs) Professional development courses for teachers in kindergarten and school covering micro:bit programming, teaching high-potential students, and practical STEM activities. Delivered on-site at the centre or at schools.
• Rom i Nord (Space in the North) Long-term (2026-2029) educational project on space technology, satellite data, and Earth observation targeting grades 8-10 and upper secondary students, linking space exploration to education and regional value creation in northern Norway.
• Hjernen vår (Our Brain) School Program School program (2026-2028) teaching students across Nordland about the brain, emotions, stress, sleep, concentration, and learning. Developed in collaboration with Hjernerådet and funded by Stiftelsen Dam.
• Barnas Ingeniørdag (Children's Engineering Day) Annual family event with technology, creativity, and maker activities where children try engineering through practical workshops. Organized in collaboration with NITO Helgeland.
• Girl Tech Fest Nationwide initiative inspiring girls in grades 3-5 to explore coding, technology, and STEM through creative workshops. Partnered with ODA-Nettverk and IKT-Norge.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over one-third of Nordland's 26,000 primary school students reached through outreach programs in 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EquinorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquinor is a Gold/Innovasjonsmester partner providing major financial and strategic support to the center. They are a co-developer of programs including the digital game programming initiative and support the overall science center mission in the region.
• Naturfagsenteret (Science Education Centre of Norway)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNaturfagsenteret is a key institutional partner, supporting the center's educational programs and aligning with national science education initiatives.
• Nordland Fylkeskommune (Nordland County Municipality)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNordland County is a core public sector partner providing ongoing operational and programmatic support to the regional science center.
• Rana GruberminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMining company Rana Gruber supports the center as a regional partner, contributing to the sustainability of science education in the Rana/Helgeland region.
• AKVA group / HelgelandsplastminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAKVA group supports the Kystkultur i 3D project and general operations, linking maritime/aquaculture industry with science education.
• Selsøyvik HavbrukminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAquaculture company Selsøyvik Havbruk supports the center as a regional business partner.
• Seven SteelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeven Steel is an Innovasjonsmester/Gold partner contributing to the center's strategic development and operational support.
• Celsa Armeringsstål (Celsa Nordic)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteel company Celsa supports the center as a Bronze/Realfagsentusiast partner.
• Troms fylkeskommune (Troms County)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTroms County supports the 'Rom i Nord' (Space in the North) pre-project, extending the center's reach beyond Nordland.
• Finnmark fylkeskommune (Finnmark County)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnmark County supports the 'Rom i Nord' pre-project, extending the center's space-related programming northward.
• Miras SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMiras Solutions is an Innovasjonsmester/Gold partner and supports the center's new mathematics area development and broader realfagssatsing (STEM initiative) in the region.
• Mo Industripark AScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe largest shareholder of Vitensenter Nordland AS (25% ownership), Mo Industripark represents the major industrial hub in Rana and is a key strategic partner in regional industry-education collaboration.
• Kunnskapsparken Helgeland (KPH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecond-largest shareholder (combined with SpareBank 1 Helgeland at 7.5%), KPH bridges education and business and supports programs like FIRST LEGO League and the 'Skole og arbeidsliv' initiative.
• Tekna (Norwegian Association of Scientists)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTekna is a Silver/Vitenskapspionér partner and co-organizer of FIRST LEGO League, Barnas Ingeniørdag, and the annual Realfagsløft program. Provides both financial support and professional expertise.
• EcsitecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe European network for science centres, museums, and science communication organisations. 300+ member institutions across Europe. Vitensenter Nordland is an active member, participating in annual conferences and international projects.
• Hjernerådet (The Norwegian Brain Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHjernerådet is the key content partner for the 'Hjernen vår' project, providing expert knowledge on brain health, learning, and mental resilience for the center's educational programs.
• NRKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian Broadcasting Corporation is a national partner in the super:bit coding program, contributing to national visibility and reach.
• Utdanningsdirektoratet (Directorate of Education)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe national education directorate co-funds super:bit and Talentsenter i realfag, ensuring programs align with national curriculum and policy goals.
• Sjyén RestaurantminorOthersRestaurant co-located in the same building as Vitensenter Nordland, providing on-site catering for events and conferences. Promoted as a visitor amenity.
• Skaffott & Arctic Adventure HubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVisit Helgeland and Arctic Adventure Hub partners promote the science center as a tourism destination, extending reach to visitors and tourists in the Helgeland region.
• INVIS (Industrivisualisering AS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering firm Invis provides 3D scanning expertise for the Kystkultur i 3D project, digitizing traditional Nordland boats.
• Kystlaget Ranfjorden / Rana Historielag / Rana MakerspaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal cultural and maker organizations collaborating on the Kystkultur i 3D project, connecting maritime heritage with modern technology.
• Arctic Cluster TeamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional industrial cluster in Helgeland, connecting science education with green industry transition and workforce competency needs.
• NITO (Norwegian Society of Engineers and Technologists)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNITO Helgeland co-organizes Barnas Ingeniørdag and supports the mathematics initiative for 2026, providing professional expertise and financial backing.
• Helgeland Avfallsforedling (HAF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHAF supports the center's sustainability-themed programs and is a supporter of the 2026 summer schools.
• NordlandsforskningminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNordlandsforskning is a research partner in the Folk og fjord project, contributing expertise on marine science and coastal culture for the Ranfjorden.
• SINTEFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSINTEF researchers contribute to the Folk og fjord project, presenting on microplastic research in the Ranfjord at the Havets dag event.
• Rana kommunecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRana Municipality is an Innovasjonsmester/Gold partner and the host municipality for Vitensenter Nordland, providing strategic and operational support.
• MomekminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMomek supported the 2023 and 2024 summer schools and is referenced in team-building activities at the center.
• ODA-Nettverk / IKT-NorgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners in Girl Tech Fest, a national initiative inspiring girls in grades 3–5 to explore coding, technology, and science through creative workshops.
• Forskerfabrikken NorgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerForskerfabrikken is the national organizer of the Forskerfabrikken summer lab program delivered at Vitensenter Nordland for grades 4–6.
• InspiriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInspiria collaborates on the 'Kompetanse og kommunikasjon i Nordland' project, providing a 3-hour interactive reflection and career guidance program for grade 10 students.
• Helgeland KraftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelgeland Kraft is a partner in the Kraftkunst project and historical supporter of the center's establishment (2019–2021).

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Experimentarium: Iconic Danish science center in Copenhagen with extensive interactive exhibitions, school programs, and event rentals. Highly comparable operating model; serves as a benchmark for Scandinavian science-center programming and scale.
• Vilvite: Bergen-based science center with hands-on exhibitions, Newton Room, and school programs across Western Norway. Closest regional peer in scale, offerings (Newton Room + exhibitions), and Norwegian curriculum alignment.
• Teknorama: Science center in Trondheim delivering interactive STEM exhibitions and curriculum-aligned school programs. Comparable operating model serving a regional Norwegian catchment with school and family visitors.
• Universeum: Sweden's national science center in Gothenburg with thematic exhibition zones, school programs, and corporate event hosting. Closest cross-border peer given overlapping mission and participation in shared Ecsite network.
• Inspiria Science Center: Regional Norwegian science center in Sarpsborg offering interactive exhibitions, school programs, and corporate events. Directly comparable in mission, visitor model, and curriculum-aligned programming across Eastern Norway.

Broad incumbents

• Wisdome Stockholm / Tekniska museet: Swedish national museum of technology with immersive exhibitions and school programming. Larger incumbent with overlapping STEM education mandate and Ecsite participation.
• Norsk Teknisk Museum: National museum of science and technology in Oslo with broader historical/technical scope. Larger incumbent covering overlapping STEM-education territory but with a much wider portfolio including industrial heritage.

Emerging players

• Newton (Norway): National network of high-tech Newton Rooms for practical STEM education in schools. Co-locates Newton Rana inside Vitensenter Nordland; comparable curriculum-aligned practical science delivery model.
• Forskerfabrikken Norge: National organizer of the Forskerfabrikken summer lab program delivered at Vitensenter Nordland for grades 4–6. Partner and adjacent player offering mobile/visiting STEM camps across Norway.
• CurioCity / Curiox (curiox.no): Mobile STEM lab operator in Norway bringing hands-on science experiments to schools. Comparable mission of practical STEM outreach to schools in regions without dedicated science centers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vitensenter-nordland

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Vitensenter Nordland