What connect vest does

Connect Vest (legal name: Connect Vest-Norge) is a non-profit membership organization founded in 2001 and headquartered at Media City Bergen, Lars Hilles Gate 30, Bergen, Norway. It operates one of Norway's largest early-phase investor and entrepreneur networks, serving the Vestlandet region. The organization's core function is matchmaking: it connects founders with its Connect Business Angel Network (Connect BAN) of 100+ investor members (business angels, family offices, and funds), pairs startups with mentors via a program for which it holds national responsibility under Innovasjon Norge (since 2020, with 500+ mentor connections facilitated since 2010), and delivers capital-readiness education through Connect Kapitalsimulator (a two-day experiential program built on the StrategyTools Scale Up! Simulator), Connect Kapitalmentor, and Connect Springbrett expert panels. The Connect BAN portfolio spans 75+ invested companies since 2016 and has produced multiple exits, including Voisey (acquired by Snapchat), Bergen Carbon Solutions (Euronext Growth IPO), Dyrekassen (Felleskjøpet), Lesemester (Lexplore), and everviz (Fonn Group, 50% return).

Connect Vest's operating model blends community-led and event-driven go-to-market. Distribution runs through the website, recurring events (Connect Dealflow Sessions, Springbrett pitch events, Demo Day Vestlandet, Investor Forums, Investor Lunches), organic social (LinkedIn, Instagram), a HubSpot-driven newsletter (2–4 times per month), and partner referrals (Innovasjon Norge, DNB, Fana Sparebank, HVL, VIS, Bergen kommune, Vestland fylkeskommune, Sparebankstiftelsen SR-Bank, Stiftelsen Drivkraft). Sister networks in Stavanger and Haugesund extend the combined investor base to 130+.

Revenue is derived from three streams: tiered annual membership fees (investor basis 10,500 NOK, investor corporate/venture 25,000 NOK, business from 12,000 NOK, municipality 35,000 NOK, incubator/research park 9,000–25,000 NOK, partner by custom agreement); program participant contributions (4,000–5,000 NOK against ~30,000–40,000 NOK program value); and public/partner funding, including Innovasjon Norge's mandate support, Sparebankstiftelsen SR-Bank, Stiftelsen Drivkraft, and Fana Sparebank's 1.2M NOK commitment for 2026. Technology consists of standard tools (HubSpot CRM, Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, event platforms); the organization does not develop proprietary technology products.

Name

connect vest

Legal name

Connect Vest-Norge

Website

https://connectvest.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Connect Vest is a Bergen-based non-profit operating one of Norway's largest early-phase investor networks. It connects startups in Vestlandet with 100+ angel investors via Connect BAN, delivers mentorship and capital-education programs, and runs national responsibility for Innovasjon Norge's mentor scheme.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bergen

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Connect Vest is a non-profit member organization financed through public funding, partner agreements, and member fees. Membership types include investor memberships (basis 10,500 NOK/year, corporate/venture 25,000 NOK/year), business memberships (from 12,000 NOK/year), municipality memberships (35,000 NOK/year), incubator/research park memberships (9,000-25,000 NOK/year depending on size), and partner memberships (custom agreements).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Connect Vest is a non-profit early-phase investment network based in Bergen, Norway that operates the Connect Business Angel Network (Connect BAN) — a network of more than 100 business angels, family offices, and funds. The organization connects early-stage startups in the Vestlandet region with investor members and provides complementary programs: Connect Kapitalsimulator for capital strategy training, Connect Springbrett for expert panel feedback, Connect Kapitalmentor for capital-raise mentorship, and a national mentor matching scheme on behalf of Innovasjon Norge.

Product overview

Connect Vest operates as an early-stage network organization offering a portfolio of interconnected services for startups and investors in the Vestlandet region. The core offering consists of Connect Business Angel Network (BAN) for investor connections, paired with service products like Connect Kapitalsimulator for capital strategy training, Connect Springbrett for startup panel feedback, and Connect Kapitalmentor for capital raise mentorship. The Mentorordning provides entrepreneur-mentor matching, while Investorpitch enables startups to present to the investor network. These services work together to provide the complete ecosystem support—from mentorship and education through to capital raising and networking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Connect Business Angel Network (BAN) Angel investor network connecting early-stage startups in the Vestlandet region with more than 100 business angels, family offices, and funds, providing access to capital (typically 1-5M NOK), competence, and board-level engagement.
• Connect Kapitalsimulator Two-day experiential program in which participants simulate the complete startup journey from idea to exit, handling capital raising, share classes, and term sheet negotiations while markets shift and burn rate runs. Delivered with the StrategyTools Scale Up! Simulator.
• Connect Springbrett Speed-date panel service that connects founders with 6-8 industry experts who challenge and pressure-test the company's concept and growth strategy, providing tailored advisory feedback.
• Connect Kapitalmentor Four-to-five month program pairing early-stage growth companies with experienced capital mentors to support their next capital raise, including expert panel feedback through Springbrett Investorklar.
• Mentorordning (Mentor Program) Mentorship matching service that connects entrepreneurs with experienced mentors who provide sparring, guidance, and network access; delivered under Innovasjon Norge's national mentor scheme.
• Investorpitch Platform and pitch session allowing startups to present to Connect Vest's investor network of more than 100 members, evaluating companies on innovative solutions, customer validation, scalability, and team quality.
• Investor Events (Dealflow Sessions, Investor Forums, Investor Lunches, Investment Courses, Demo Days) Regular investor events — Dealflow Sessions, Investor Forums, Investor Lunches, Investment Courses, and Demo Days — that create meeting places connecting innovative concepts, competence, and capital.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple successful exits including Dyrekassen (sold to Felleskjøpet), Bergen Carbon Solutions (IPO on Euronext Growth), Voisey (sold to Snapchat), Lesemester (sold to Lexplore), and everviz (sold to Fonn Group with 50% return)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Innovasjon NorgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovasjon Norge is a key strategic partner providing funding support for Connect Vest's programs including the mentor program (for which Connect has national responsibility since 2020), Capital Simulator, and Kapitalmentor. Innovasjon Norge also co-funds startup grants (STUD-ENT, Oppstart 1 and 2) that ConnectVest connects startups with.
• Vestland fylkeskommunecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVestland County Municipality is a key public sector partner supporting Connect Vest's operations and programs. The county authority aligns with Connect Vest's mission to build the early-phase ecosystem in the Vestland region.
• DNBcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDNB is Norway's largest bank and a partner to Connect Vest. DNB's partnership supports Connect Vest's mission to build the early-phase investment ecosystem in the Bergen and Vestland region.
• VIS - Vestlandets InnovasjonsselskapcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIS is the innovation company for Vestland that facilitates connections between established businesses, researchers, founders, and students. VIS and Connect Vest collaborate on programs including Demo Day Vestlandet and co-support startups in the region.
• Høgskulen på Vestlandet (HVL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHVL (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences) partners with Connect Vest on Connect Springbrett for students and other educational programs. The collaboration helps connect students with the startup ecosystem and provides industry expertise to the academic community.
• Bergen kommunecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBergen Municipality is a public sector partner supporting Connect Vest's mission to strengthen innovation and early-phase investment in the Bergen region.
• StrategyTools / Christian RangencoreTechnology or IntegrationChristian Rangen in StrategyTools developed the Scale Up! Simulator used in Connect Vest's Connect Kapitalsimulator program. The simulator provides an interactive experience for investors, founders, and advisors to learn capital strategy, term sheets, cap tables, and exit scenarios in a simulated environment.
• Kapitalløft 2026minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnect Vest co-authored the '10 Tiltak for å tette kapitalgapet' report with the Kapitalløft 2026 project group and a broad network of business actors. The report proposes 10 measures to address the capital gap in Norway's early-phase ecosystem.
• Norsk VenturekapitalforeningminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Norwegian Venture Capital Association is mentioned as a co-signatory to the capital gap report, indicating alignment with Connect Vest's advocacy efforts.
• Kunnskapsparken VestlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKunnskapsparken Vestland contributed to recruiting participants for the Connect Kapitalsimulator program in Førde, supporting early-phase education and ecosystem building.
• AksellominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAksello contributed to recruiting participants for the Connect Kapitalsimulator program in Førde.
• Bergen NæringsrådcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBergen Chamber of Commerce co-hosted the panel debate during the Arendalsuka launch of the '10 Tiltak for å tette kapitalgapet' report, with Monica Mæland (Bergen Næringsråd) moderating.
• FramdriftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFramdrift is a regional development organization that co-hosted the Arendalsuka launch of the capital gap report alongside Connect Vest and Stiftelsen Drivkraft. Framdrift also organizes the 'Frokostmøte: Eksportmuligheter i Nord- og Sør-Amerika' event with Connect Vest.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Connect Midt-Norge: Sister Connect network serving the Trondheim/Midt-Norge region, operating the same angel network and mentor-matching model as Connect Vest. Direct peer with identical operating playbook.
• Connect Stavanger: Sister Connect network covering the Stavanger region; together with Connect Vest forms part of the same Western Norway angel network of 130+ investors. Same model, same governance approach.
• VIS - Vestlandets Innovasjonsselskap: Regional innovation company for Vestland that facilitates connections between founders, researchers, established businesses and students. Co-hosts Demo Day Vestlandet with Connect Vest and operates as a closely related ecosystem-building peer.
• StartupLab: Oslo-based startup incubator and network supporting Norwegian early-phase founders with programs, investors and mentorship. Comparable mission and target audience (early-stage founders) with similar program formats.
• Oslotech / Oslo Science Park: One of Norway's largest incubators and innovation hubs hosting startups, investors and corporate partners. Comparable ecosystem-building role with a broader geographic (Oslo) and capital-market footprint.
• Bergen Teknologioverføring (BTO): Bergen-based technology transfer office commercializing research from HVL and other institutions into startups. Comparable Vestlandet ecosystem-builder with overlapping founder/mentor networks.
• Nordic Angel Program: Pan-Nordic early-phase investor education and deal syndication network. Directly comparable mission to Connect Vest's Kapitalsimulator and Connect BAN at a broader geographic scale.

Broad incumbents

• Innovasjon Norge: Norway's national innovation agency, providing funding, advisory services and mentor program infrastructure that Connect Vest both draws from and partly delivers on. Comparable as the broader public-sector counterpart in the same space.
• DNB NXT / DNB Startup: DNB's startup and early-phase initiative providing banking, networking and investor support to Norwegian founders. Strategic partner to Connect Vest and a broader incumbent with overlapping services.

Others

• Norsk Venturekapitalforening (NVCA): Norwegian Venture Capital Association representing VC/PE firms. Co-signatory with Connect Vest on the '10 Tiltak for å tette kapitalgapet' report. Adjacent industry association rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/connect-vest
• Instagraminstagram.com/connectvest.no

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 connect vest