Norwegian Clusters
– for the innovation and competitiveness of the future. 2014
Cluster programme on the air
Launching the cluster programme
Norwegian Innovation Clusters
Close collaboration
across ­clusters
Two chairmen see the benefits of
­collaboration
Cluster collaboration based on
the needs of trade and industry
Can the clusters play a role in major
­technology changes?
contents
4
6 close collaboration across clusters
12 cluster collaboration in Møre and romsdal
14 sharper competitive edge due to automation
16
18
20 future media solutions created in bergen
22
24 international competence and local training
26 international cluster collaboration
28
30 INNOVAtion with INTERNAtiONAL EXPERTISE
Interview with Bardalen, Reve og Ketels
LAunching the cluster programme NORWEGIAN INNOVATIon CLUSTERS
Interview with the Board Chairmen of iKuben and NCE NODE
NCE Maritime, iKuben, Norwegian Rooms, Legasea
NCE Raufoss, NCE Maritime, Norwegian Rooms, Arena Eyde
Arena Arctic Winter Adventures
finnish inspiration spawned international collaboration
NCE Smart Energy Markets
collaboration based on the needs of trade and industry
MediArena
NCE Micro- and Nanotechnology
physical infrastructure crucial to new innovations
NORWEGIAN CENTRES OF EXPERTISE and ARENA
Arena in brief 2013:
NCE in brief 2013:
the innovation- and internationalisation processes in
The programme’s publication in 2013 resulted
The programme carried out its final running
regional business clusters and milieus. This happens
in the approval of five new Arena projects:
publication in 2009 and was engaged in 12 NCE
through a close cooperation between the companies in
• Arctic Maritime Cluster (Troms)
projects in 2013:
the cluster, research and development players and the
•Legasea (Møre og Romsdal)
relevant public sector partners.
•Norwegian Rooms (Møre og Romsdal)
Norwegian Centres of Expertise (NCE) and the Arena
programme are aimed at resolving and reinforcing
NCE is targeted towards the most mature and dynamic
•Subsea Valley (Akershus and Buskerud)
and Nano Technology, NCE Raufoss, NCE Subsea,
NCE Systems Engineering Kongsberg
an international or strong national position. Arena is
Three Arena projects were concluded:
offered to milieus that are in an early stage of develop-
• Arena Magica
ment, but which have good opportunities to strengthen
•Arena Valdres Health Cluster
their innovation work and cooperation.
•Arena Fruit Cluster
• Three initiated in 2007:
NCE Aquaculture, NCE Culinology, NCE Oslo
Cancer Cluster
• Three initiated in 2009:
NCE NODE, NCE Smart Energy Markets,
Both programmes are implemented in cooperation
NCE Tourism
between Innovation Norway, SIVA and The Research
At the start of 2013, Arena was engaged in
Council of Norway, with the foremost assuming main
25 cluster projects.
responsibility. The programmes are financed through
Key figures:
funds from two ministries: the Ministry of Trade and
Industry and the Ministry of Local Government and
Key figures:
Regional Development. In 2012, approximately NOK
The NCE projects involved:
• 1275 companies
124 million was granted to support the selected cluster
The Arena projects involved:
•157 R&D and knowledge companies
projects in NCE and Arena. Of these, NOK 10 million
• 1.574 companies
•227 other development partners
was granted for a pilot project to encourage greater
•170 R&D and knowledge communities
innovation through more joint innovation and research
•96 other development partners
projects between companies; Innovasjonsrammen.
• 288 innovation projects
•119 international business development projects
• 292 innovation projects
•132 education/competence projects
•180 education/competence development projects
From left: Gaute Moldestad, Siva, Bjørn Arne Skogstad,
­Innovation Norway, Åse Kaurin, Research Council of Norway,
Eivind Petershagen, Innovation Norway, Espen Warland,
­Innovation Norway, Jon Kveine, Innovation Norway, Eivind
­Ingdahl, ­Innovation Norway, Olav Bardalen, Innovation Norway
The NCE projects initiated or strengthened:
The Arena projects initiated or strengthened:
•133 international business development projects
Oslo Medtech
Oslo Cancer Cluster
NCE Instrumentation, NCE Maritime, NCE Micro
business clusters which have the conditions to develop
NCE Systems Engineering
Arena Frukt og Bær
collaboration in sogn and fjordane produces healthy juice
•Six initiated in 2006:
•DesignArena (Hordaland)
Launching the cluster programme
Norwegian Innovation Clusters
Norwegian Innovation Clusters is now a reality. The response to the intensified cluster programme
has been massive, with Innovation Norway receiving no fewer than 51 project outlines from the
­various trade environments during the first round.
Olav Bardalen, Programme Manager for ­Norwegian
Innovation Clusters in Innovation Norway
Torger Reve, BI Norwegian Business School
Photo: Nicolas Tourrenc
– The response was tremendous. Based
– We conducted a joint assessment in
their markets externally. Now there are
Through GCE we will be supporting
This is going to be increasingly in focus
– The clusters have given rise to greater
on feedback about the outlines, some
2011, which showed that Arena and NCE
a great many clusters who have applied.
mature clusters that also have a global
internationally too, says Ketels.
competition and greater socioeconomic
decided they were not mature enough,
were working really well, but also said
If we’re going to be any good, we’re too
position, Bardalen explains.
and we are now in session considering 33
there might be a need to strengthen the
small not to have some link with the best
well developed project proposals for new
synergies further. Together with the
environments abroad, in which case you
cluster projects. We sense we are meeting
opening gambit inherent in “A knowledge- need to have links to both clients abroad,
a really clear demand, says Olav Bardalen. based Norway”, and more particularly
the dialogue with the clusters, we tracked
Bardalen is the programme manager for
down a need to reinforce and adapt our
Arena and NCE at Innovation Norway.
offering, as Bardalen elaborates.
Christian Ketels, Harvard Business School
Photo: TCI Network
Political support
creating global visibility and market focus,
All three are concerned with the fact that
particularly in those fields where there was
already a critical mass, Ketels admits.
profitability. They do not automatically
cluster collaboration is also a form of
Christian Ketels and Torger Reve both
lead to more profit for businesses, but the
cooperation with the authorities. This has
Christian Ketels is one of the global
have a strategic-specialist grounding in
inward competition within the cluster
contributed to Norway being at the edge of
Olav Bardalen also highlights the
term-setters in the development of cluster
the same environment as the Harvard
makes the local communities and the
this type of development worldwide.
continued importance of the authorities’
universities abroad and international
collaboration. He is head of Michael E.
Business School. Together they studied
regions better. The clusters also have
companies, Torger Reve says.
Porter’s research team at the Harvard
Norwegian competitiveness. As a
more innovation and entrepreneurship
– I am pleased to see that the route
Business School’s Institute of Strategy and
result, Ketels has a good knowledge
than non-clusters, and better access to
from research to reality is a short one
– The stable financing of the cluster
Clearer structure
Competitiveness, and heads up TCI, the
of developments in Norwegian cluster
capital. We talk about ownership appeal,
in this job. That’s very unusual, as
initiative by funding from the Norwegian
there is normally a great distance from
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries
the researchers launching an idea to
and the Ministry of Local Government
efforts for this development.
The executive version is that Innovation
global network for competitiveness, clusters
collaboration. His evaluation of Norwegian which is a very important aspect of trade
the three letters “GCE” to his list of
In March 2012 both Torger Reve from BI
Norway, SIVA and the Research Council
and innovation. Ketels has longstanding
Innovation Clusters is positive.
development, Reve interjects.
responsibilities.
and Christian Ketels from the Harvard
of Norway are establishing new strategic
experience and broad-based knowledge as
it becoming a reality. There are good
and Modernization has been paramount
Business School and TCI took part in
regards the currents trending both within
– I have to admit that I am very impressed
– The Norwegian economy has its
reasons for the state supporting cluster
for the results we have achieved thus far,
Clusters in various phases
areas of commitment and reinforcing
Innovation Norway’s Norwegian Cluster
collaboration on innovation, knowledge
academia and among politicians.
with the Norwegian cluster work. Norway
problems, like the proportion of people
development, because it produces good
Bardalen says.
The new integrated cluster programme
Manager Forum as keynote speakers and
links and cluster-to-cluster links.
is in a situation where the country’s oil and
on sickness and disability benefits. But
results from which other players also
“Norwegian Innovation Clusters” is
panellists. This was shortly after Reve had
– I think that, particularly in the beginning,
its macroeconomic situation in past years
that’s the way the cookie crumbles when
benefit. If the authorities don’t give their
introducing a new benchmark for the most
launched the book “A Knowledge-based
– In addition, there will be an even
we were too internally focused on the work
have made it easy to do nothing, including
you get this constant incentive from oil
mature environments, Global Centres of
Norway”. Even then there was talk of GCE
clearer structure in the offering available
with clusters. Clusters were viewed as a
for politicians. 15 years ago Torger and I
revenues. The clusters have been a good
backing to this work, we run the risk of too work for 2014 gave us the chance to
strenghten our efforts. We are seeing
low investment in knowledge, so it makes
Expertise (GCE). But the GCE standard is
collaboration; and now, two years later,
to cluster initiatives in various phases
process in which contact was forged with
did a study on Norwegian competitiveness. way of countering these effects. Looking
not the only thing new in the Norwegian
implementation will soon be complete.
and with different potential. Arena will
partners in one’s region. That’s important,
At that time our perspective was very
at other countries, like Australia, which
be continued as an offering to clusters
of course, but we now know that the
critical and we said that there was not
has lost the bulk of its manufacturing
– The Norwegian economy has been much
national innovation policy and regional
development policy, he rounds off.
He now has to prepare himself to add
Innovation Clusters proposal. In general,
good socioeconomic sense,” says Reve.
– An increase in the budgetary frame­
broad-based support for cluster develop­
ment as an important instrument in both
the aim is to make the cluster programme
– GCE continues to build directly on
in an early phase of their collaboration.
competition in these sectors is global. So we
enough dynamics and competition, that
industry owing to a boom in natural
more dynamic than I would have thought.
more integral, tailored and differentiated.
the other two programmes, Arena and
NCE will be carried on as an offering to
need to look more closely at how to develop
the country was too closed. That’s where
resources, Norway has pursued a
Instead of leaning back, complacent about
NCE. GCE is international and is about
mature clusters that have the potential to
local strengths so as also to become a more
the cluster programme has played an
good strategy for avoiding this type of
the status quo, the introduction of the
environments which have the bulk of
become an obvious national focal point.
attractive prospect for global partnership.
important role, says Ketels.
problem, Ketels elaborates.
cluster programmes has contributed to
About iKuben
iKuben is a cluster and an interaction
arena for internationally oriented
industrial enterprises in Romsdal and
Nordmøre. Most of the ­cluster
­companies supply systems and
­components within the maritime
sector and/or carry out static
­inspections and maintenance on
advanced systems within the maritime
and oil & gas sectors. The cluster
intends to consolidate its competitiveness through collaboration, researchbased innovation and skills enhancement. iKuben was awarded Arena
status on 14 June 2012.
www.ikuben.no
Close collaboration across clusters
About NCE NODE
NCE NODE is a trade cluster with 63
companies in the oil and gas trade
in south Norway. The companies in
NODE supply everything from all-in
platform solutions to high-tech equipment for use on board platforms and
vessels. Its clients are rig owners, oil
companies and shipping lines, nationally and internationally. In J
­ anuary
2006 NODE gained status as an
ARENA master project, and in 2009
NODE was awarded status as an NCE.
www.nodeproject.no
An experienced cluster for the oil technology industry on the south coast of Norway and a fresh cluster for
industrial enterprises in the north-west differ from one another in many respects, though both see not only
the potential but also the gain from collaborations with other clusters.
Board Chairman of iKuben, Odd Tore Finnøy
NCE NODE was set up in 2005 as a
Lift projects to a national level
well as further education and upskilling,
cluster project for the supplier industry
The fresh new chairman of the board
and projects such as national communi­
in the south of Norway. The ­experienced
of NCE NODE, Tor Henning Ramfjord,
cations and infrastructure.
cluster now numbers 63 member
thoroughly agrees that cluster-to-cluster
­companies, including some of Norway’s
collaboration is a key area of commitment.
Solving problem across clusters
foremost offshore suppliers. iKuben
Through previous managers at NODE
Both agree that cluster-to-cluster collabo-
was awarded Arena status in June 2012.
they have managed to source and secure
ration fuels increased innovation. iKuben’s
The relatively young cluster is ­bringing
­relevant collaboration partners, enjoy-
cluster collaboration with NCE Maritime
­together internationally oriented
ing close dialogue with clusters including
and the Knudtzon Centre is a fine example
indust­rial enterprises in Romsdal and
those in Ålesund, Kongsberg and ­Raufoss.
of collaboration leading to more inno­
Nord­møre, with the cluster companies
There they are working together in a
vation processes.
­ope­rating roughly within the maritime
­national reputation project to showcase
and oil & gas sectors. They are both
the oil and gas trade globally.
­engaged in collaborating across clusters.
– We have collaboration with companies
An important instrument
new companies, by commercializing new
import­ant even among the big competi-
the potential you had envisaged, inspi­
business concepts and localizing external
tors in our sector, he says, continuing:
ration can be found in other clusters to set
To conclude, both wish to highlight the
in motion new projects and generate new
role which Innovation Norway has played
energy, he says.
as an organizer for cluster activities.
The project “innovation accelerator” was
enterprises in the cluster. This will be at
initiated and organized by the cluster in
the very heart of cluster collaboration,
– Collective challenges of a technical
Romsdal. In collaboration with the other
where close dialogue between clusters can
nature, say, obviously have to be the
– We’re just out of the starting blocks
within the cluster internally, but also ­believe clusters in the region they have developed
solve problems faced by multiple enter­
subject of collaboration for the companies
Win-win situation
– The initiative and the instrument that
when it comes to cluster-to-cluster
it is important for us to stand shoulder-to-
a hands-on toolkit that will contribute
prises across clusters.
in NODE, even though we’re rivals. And
The two board chairmen agree that cluster
have been made available through Arena
­collaboration, says the Board Chairman
shoulder with the other clusters in order to
to targeting, improving and ­accelerating
collaboration can create a win-win situation
and NCE, and soon through GCE too,
develop the cluster theory and cluster model
ongoing development ­processes within the
Keeping energy levels up
that’s something we can take with us and
of iKuben, Odd Tore Finnøy.
do across clusters too.
for both the companies involved and the
are incredibly important. They act as a
further in Norway, he explains.
clusters.
The two board chairmen also feel that
Yet he emphasizes that cluster-to-cluster
cluster as a whole. For example, collabo-
stimulus for cluster activity, and as we
­collaboration between clusters can be
Finnøy refers to the fact that it can be ex-
ration can be extremely profitable when
have learned, that’s extremely useful, says
Finnøy.
collaboration is defined as an important
Ramfjord refers to the clusters’ power-
Finnøy explains:
useful when it comes to day-to-day
cellent to get tips and advice along the way
one cluster is working on a project which
theme for iKuben, and the next stage of
ful position in Norway. A collaboration
– Cluster collaboration will provide the
­operations. For instance, Ramfjord points
from other, more experi­enced clusters for
another cluster is already working on. It
the work will be to enter into a dialogue
between the clusters can help advocate the
companies with a better basis for initi­
out that keeping up a cluster’s activity level managing and keeping the cluster active so
can also result in faster output than would
with other clusters which they consider
cause of trade and industry nationally.
ating and implementing demanding
is not always equally easy.
as not to lose impetus.
have been achieved by going solo. As some
innovation processes, based on collabo-
to be interesting collaboration partners,
Board Chairman of NCE NODE, Tor Henning
Ramfjord
Sevan Marines cylindrical drilling rig Sevan Brasil
companies may face problems no one else
including the Systems Engineering
– Although we’re competitors, it’s useful
ration with ­relevant company partners
– In a small country like Norway we
– A cluster has a life-cycle, you see, with
in the cluster can relate to, cluster collabo-
cluster in Kongsberg and the materials
to exchange experiences through clusters,
and knowledge players. A more fertile
­depend on collaboration in many fields.
energy levels tending to stay high for a
ration may be useful. Advice can then be
engineering cluster in Raufoss.
including carrying out assignments as
breeding ground will also be created for
We have seen that collaboration is
period of time. So once you’ve extracted
sought elsewhere.
Photo: Sevan Marine
FAKTA
NORWEGIAN
CENTRES OF EXPERTISE
www.nce.no
Norway currently has 12 strong NCE clusters of companies that can raise
themselves to the top of their fields worldwide.
The map shows the NCE projects in 2014.
NCE Aquaculture 1.
NCE Aquaculture 1
Centred around Nordland, the cluster
NCE Tourism Fjord Norway 4.
NCE NODE 7.
consists of companies and players in
With a basis in one of the world’s most
The technology-based oil and gas cluster
NCE Systems Engineering
Kongsberg 10.
world-leading positions within commer-
attractive ‘raw materials’ the Western
in Southern Norway is a world leader
The Kongsberg cluster consists of know-
cial production of farmed fish and seafood.
Norway’s fjords, the players and compa-
within technology development, product
ledge-based companies that hold world-
The market is global.
nies raised the destination to become one
development and systems for offshore
leading positions in the following deman-
of the world leaders in themed tourism
drilling and platform operations.
ding industry segments: maritime, subsea,
NCE Instrumentation 2.
NTNU, Sintef, university colleges and
and experience products.
car parts, space travel and defence.
NCE Raufoss 8.
companies in Trøndelag have unique com-
NCE Subsea 5.
petence and experience in sensors, control
Hordaland county has one of the strongest Raufoss, the cluster includes world-leading
NCE Micro- and
Nanotechnology 11.
and communication solutions. Important
and most complete milieus for subsea
companies within development and indus-
With a basis in Vestfold University College
customer segments are maritime, subsea,
technology in the world with a focus on
trial exploitation of light-weight materials.
and the companies, the milieu in Horten
NCE Maritime 3
aquaculture and medical.
operations, modification, productification, The cluster is a leader within automated
has created the most important commer-
NCE Tourism - Fjord Norway 4
NCE Maritime 3.
maintenance and operation of subsea
production of car parts and defence pro-
cial milieu for micro and nano technology
installations.
ducts.
in Norway, and also has a leading position
NCE Instrumentation 2
NCE Subsea 5
The Maritime clusters in Møre og Romsdal
NCE Culinology 6
NCE NODE 7
NCE Raufoss 8
NCE Oslo Cancer Cluster 9
NCE Systems Engineering Kongsberg 10
NCE Micro- and Nanotechnology 11
NCE Smart Energy Markets 12
With a basis in the industrial milieu at
in the Norwegian Electronics and ICT com-
are world leaders within design, con-
NCE Culinology 6.
NCE Oslo Cancer Cluster 9.
struction, equipment and operation of
The food and meal cluster in Rogaland
The Norwegian Radium Hospital’s research
advanced vessels for the global oil-based
county has a strong knowledge platform
community and companies in the cluster
industry.
and an innovation potential, which essen-
have world-leading expertise in develop-
NCE Smart
Energy Markets 12.
tially focuses on culinary differentiation
ment of cancer diagnosis and medical
The cluster’s players are focusing on
ensuring the future of Norwegian food
treatment.
becoming a competence and innovation
production.
munity.
centre, which defines and meets the needs
of the energy market of the future. Østfold
University College and companies in the
Halden community will, for example, be
key players within Smart Grid and commercial energy trading.
The Arena programme
www.arenaprogrammet.no
Arena strengthens the interaction and cooperation in regional clusters with
ambitions and potential for further development.
The map shows the Arena projects in 2014.
Arena BioTech North 1
Arena Winter Adventures 2
Mineral Cluster North 4
Arena Smart Grid Services 5
Windcluster Norway 6
Arena NxtMedia 8
Design Arena 13
Maritime CleanTech West 15
Arena Leisure Boats 20.
The companies in the cluster have the
Companies in this cluster want to streng­
an attractive and growing biotechnology
vation and stimulate development of
ambition of developing innovative solu-
then the interaction between boat manu-
industry in Troms county.
new media technology in the Trondheim
tions for production and dissemination
facturers, subcontractors and other players
region.
of digital content.
in order to develop an innovative and
Arena Heidner 25
Subsea Valley 24
Oslo Medtech 23
iKuben 9.
Maritime CleanTech West 15.
the experience industry are cooperating to
This cluster of industrial companies in
The companies in the cluster are coope-
develop Nordland and Troms into a prefer-
Romsdal and Nordmøre will strengthen its rating on the development of an environ-
The companies in this cluster are coopera-
red travel destination with attractive arctic
competitive capabilities through coope-
mentally-friendly solution for Maritime
ting on the development of new solutions for
experiences.
ration, research-based innovation and
activities.
electrical vehicle and electrical road-based
Clean Water Cluster 22
Arena Usus 18
Electric Mobility Norway 21
competence development.
Electric Mobility Norway 21.
vehicle transport.
The cluster develops and implements
Norwegian Rooms 10.
Arena Ocean of
Opportunities 16.
equipment, design and processes for the
The cluster will promote the development
The cluster will contribute to further
Companies in Vestfold and Telemark are
most effective, safe and environmentally
of strong, profitable international brands
growth for the participating companies
cooperating on new and further develop-
robust maritime operations.
and a robust manufacturing industry.
within aquaculture in the southern part of
ment of existing technology for water
Western Norway.
treatment.
Clean Water Cluster 22.
Mineral Cluster North 4.
Legasea 11.
The project will contribute to increased
The cluster works to become a global
Arena Eyde 17.
Oslo Medtech 23.
activity and value creation in the North
leader based on profitable development
Companies in this cluster cooperate,
Companies, hospitals and research institu-
Norwegian mineral industry though co-
and industrial-scale utilisation of marine
among other things, in the area of energy
tions are cooperating on the development of
operation, investment in knowledge and
bioresources and residual raw materials.
efficiency, productivity improvement and
medical technology and innovation.
an international orientation.
quality and long-term recruitment within
Subsea Valley 24.
Arena Smart Grid Services 5.
Arena NOW (Norwegian
Offshore Wind) 12.
The companies in this cluster in Trøndelag
The companies in this cluster in Western
Arena Usus 18.
county will develop new and smart solu-
Norway are cooperating to ensure impor-
Companies in this culture, travel and
development and internationalisation. This
tions within the energy sector.
tant deliveries of Norwegian offshore wind
tourism cluster want to strengthen their
will make the companies within the cluster
technology to the European market.
competitive position through systematic,
better equipped to meet the new standards
integrated and coordinated management
and technologies that are impacting the
of visitor flows to Agder county.
entire value chain.
the process industry in Southern Norway.
Subsea Valley will focus on projects within
the areas of safety, quality, technological
The cluster lays the foundations for an
Design Arena 13.
international supplier industry within off-
The companies within this cluster works
shore and wind power in Central Norway.
closely together to develop, implement and
Arena Digin 19.
Arena Heidner 25.
utilize strategic design as a tool.
Companies within the ICT business sector
The companies in this biotechnology cluster
in Agder county are cooperating in order to
in Hedmark are cooperating for better ferti-
The companies in this cluster in Central
meet the information and communication
lity and health in livestock and to streamline
Norway will cooperate to develop systems
technology requirements of their private
food production.
for recovering and recycling water.
and public sector customers.
Smart Water Cluster 7.
Arena Eyde 17
sustainable industry sector.
Companies within travel and tourism and
Windcluster Norway 6.
Arena Ocean of Opportunities 16
Arena Digin 19
MediArena 14.
The project will reinforce media inno-
Arctic Maritime Cluster 3.
Arena NOW 12
MediArena 14
Arena NxtMedia 8.
The project will stimulate development of
Arena Winter Adventures 2.
Arctic Maritime Cluster 3
Smart Water Cluster 7
iKuben 9
Norwegian Rooms 10
Legasea 11
Arena BioTech North 1.
Arena Leisure Boats 20
11
Collaborating and competing
– the clusters in Møre and Romsdal
The trade clusters in Møre and Romsdal are drivers of innovation and value creation. One of the results
of the collaboration is an extensive offering of educational and further training courses at the University
College of Ålesund and an innovation toolkit which is currently being presented.
The clusters in Ålesund
The fact that the project management for
three trade clusters has been gathered
vation systems, serving both the clusters
and other trades in the region.
under one roof is unique in a Norwegian
Competence-building is central
context. Ålesund Knowledge Park houses
Competence-building occupies a central
both NCE Maritime, Norwegian Rooms
position. Collectively, the clusters analyze
and Legasea. NCE Maritime has long­
what qualifications they have and do not
standing experience as a cluster organi-
have, selecting which trends to commit to
zation, while the other two became Arena
in the collaboration with Ålesund College.
clusters over a year ago. Daily contact
An important measure is to help train
allows experiences and ideas to be shared;
qualified manpower, which in turn leads
the newbies receive feedback from the old-
to innovative and interesting businesses
timers; and ideas are put to the test. This
establishing a presence in the area. The
close contact stimulates and motivates,
cluster organizations arrange courses
and contributes to the clusters achieving
and seminars for small and medium-size
their goals more quickly.
companies. Kompetanseallmenningen
From the simulator in Ålesund Kunnskapspark
From the launch of the Innovation Accelerator Project. From left: Per Erik Dalen, CEO NCE Maritime,
Hilde Aspås, General Manager iKuben, Bergljot Landstad, regional and business manager M&R County
Municipality, Bodil Hollingsæter, CEO Innovation Norway Møre and Romsdal, Roar S. Andersen, ­
Chairman Knudtzonsenteret. Photo: Per Tormod Nilsen
”Common Framework for Competence” in
– We work within different fields, but we
Ålesund has a global perspective because
– Similarity and disparity strengthen the
are still fairly equal in this region, says
its members are strongly geared to export.
clusters. We are seeing collaboration projects
the project manager for Legasea, Oddvar
Skarbø. – We have different challenges
– I would like to emphasize joint meetings
to other clusters owing to our regional
between the cluster managers, says
­communality. Culture and attitudes vary
­Oddbjørn Hatløy at Norwegian Rooms.
from one part of the country to another.
In Møre and Romsdal we have a lot in
– Here we attempt to exploit the syner-
­common, and this is a good ­starting point
gies between clusters connected with both
for collaboration.
operations, strategy and developmental
work. I would also like to pay tribute to
12
Together the three Sunnmøre clusters in
the trade department of the county muni-
Ålesund have access to one of Norway’s
cipality, which does an extremely active
most comprehensive incubator or inno­
job of supporting the clusters.
and innovations cutting across the maritime,
marine and renewable energy sectors. For
example, the collaboration with Legasea is
expanding our blue ocean space strategy.
Ship design, equipment and operations
coalesce in the ocean space. Whether it’s oil
and gas, the maritime sector, offshore wind
turbines or omega 3 oils, we share experiences and use them to continue developing
the innovation platform. That’s the way to
consolidate competitiveness, says Per Erik
Dalen at NCE Maritime.
Arena collaboration between
Sunnmøre and Romsdal
mal gatherings at which they exchange
– Businesses with shared challenges
­association with Sintef Raufoss, an
ideas and experiences.
­congregate here. The bank has contri-
analysis was done of success factors in the ­interest in a phase two from Ålesund,
at a seminar in June. There is great
buted to two or more businesses having
respondent businesses. What had they
Kristiansund and Molde alike, and work
– NCE Maritime is an important source
entered into joint collaboration with
done that ­produced good results? Tools
is in progress to raise the funding.
of inspiration for the Arena clusters,
research institutions to meet challenges.
were created at workshops for developing
says Hilde Aspås at iKuben and Oddvar
The total value of R&D projects of this
cultures to stimulate creative thinking,
Mutually inspiring
Skarbø at Legasea.
kind initiated is NOK 119 million in the
and tools for separating the good ideas
Several of the managers from the ­cluster
two years we have existed.
from those that were less good. Within
organizations in Møre and Romsdal
The Innovation Accelerator
Project
the framework of the project, courses
stress the importance of “rooting for” one
One of the working groups gave birth to
were also organized in creative process
another, of motivating and galvanizing
Molde-based iKuben is a cluster for
the idea of the Innovation Accelerator
management.
one another. By the same token, there is
­businesses in Romsdal and Nordmøre that
Project. The aim of the project is to
positive competition between the regions.
supply components and services to the
develop systems for innovation ­processes,
An important additional effect of
When the Ålesund environment succeeds
The Arena clusters Norwegian Rooms
maritime sector and the oil & gas trade. The
methods and tools. The businesses
­courses, seminars and workshops is that
in highlighting its vigorous businesses, it
and Legasea in Ålesund enjoy close-knit
cluster is vigorously business driven and the needed a toolkit so that they could
main activities take place in working groups ­systematically and quickly i­mplement
business­es which normally have nothing
challenges both Kristiansund and Molde to
collaboration with iKuben in Molde. Not
to do with one another become known,
be at least as good, or the Ålesund environ-
because omega 3, wing chairs and cranes
in which the members set the agenda and
innovation processes in their own
and see how they can derive inspiration
ment feels the others are on its case.
have that much in common, but because
choose strategies. Their involvement results
organization. The Innovation Accelerator
or share their knowledge and experience.
fresh managers in new Arena projects
in the businesses feeling a strong sense of
Project is a collaboration between the
The results from the project have been
The collaboration between the clusters
have a lot to learn from one another. There
ownership for the cluster.
Knowledge Park in Ålesund, NCE
tested at five different businesses,
in Møre and Romsdal is instrumental in
­Maritime, iKuben and the Knudtzon
are formal assemblies for all the project
­managers under the auspices of ­Innovation
in c­ ompanies with between two and
giving the county a higher ranking on the
– iKuben has devised a ‘challenge bank’, in
Centre in Kristiansund. Based on inter­
­several hundred employees. The toolkit
value generation and innovation chart,
Norway. In addition, the ­project managers
which the businesses record their challenges, views with 12 businesses in Sunnmøre,
represents phase one of the Innovation
both nationally and internationally.
meet in Møre and ­Romsdal for more infor-
explains general manager Hilde Aspås.
­Accelerator Project and will be present­ed
Nordmøre and Romsdal, and in
13
Photo: Siv Nærø/Innovation Norway
Sharper competitive edge due to
automation
The collaboration on robotization between NCE Raufoss, NCE Ålesund and their cluster businesses is
­currently developing innovative automation solutions within the automotive industry, the maritime sector,
the furniture industry and the process industry. This is helping to strengthen Norwegian competitiveness.
Innovative robot technology
Automation more than robots
place at home. The quality of the final
– If we are not competitive in Norway,
Ekornes, according to production
both the culture for change and the
Modern robots are an important part of
product also becomes more stable in auto-
companies will relocate their production
­manager Leif Jarle Aure, must increase its
Continuous improvement
­systematized
sity of Agder. They also contribute to the
As a result of the interaction between the
further and supplementary education
employees’ motivation to implement
trade clusters in the NCE programme, the
any automated process. In order to achieve
mated and robotized processes.
to other parts of the world. If we succeed
­productivity by a further 30 percent over
The members of the Eyde network in south
programme in change management being change. Ideas for changes and improve-
companies of Rolls Royce in Ålesund and
efficiency and competitiveness, however,
with the automation process, this will
the next three years. Mostly, the group has
Norway are manufacturing specialized
set up in collaboration with the University ments—welcomed through the traditional
Benteler at Raufoss are familiar with each
the entire production process has to be
– Specially adapted robots and auto-
create scope to enable products currently
to catch up on automating stitching, where
products for the world market and are
of Agder and the Vocational & Technical
means of the suggestions box—are trans-
other’s challenges and strong points. One is
conduct­ed in a smart and sustainable
mated processes can lead to international
being fabricated in low-cost countries to
a lot of the work is still done manually. But
owned by some of the world’s largest global
School in Kristiansand. This programme
lated into practice. It’s about robots, it’s
a global player in the development of state-
­manner. The use of raw materials, working
companies placing a greater degree of
be brought back to Norway.
the new technology also means that the
groups. Efficiency is a prerequisite for con-
contains modules with study credits for
about automation, but above all it’s about
of-the-art products for the aerospace and
time, energy consumption and specialist
their value creation in Norway. The large
tinued production in Norway, and the Eyde
both first-line executives and middle
people, Fladmark concludes.
maritime sectors, the other a supplier to the
competencies are key ingredients of an
companies will do this first; the same
A competitive furniture industry
group saves a lot of hide, which is a very
expensive raw material. The automated
network has therefore been systematizing
management in the companies, says the
car industry with cutting-edge skills in light-
enhancement and rationalization process.
oppor­tunity will then open up to other
In its development of robots and auto-
machines make much better use of the
continuous improvement training. All the
general manager of the Eyde network,
weight materials and automated ­production;
These days such rationalization processes
parts of the industry, so believe NCE exe-
mated process lines, the NCEs have also
hide than previously managed manually.
companies in the network are concern­ed
Helene Fladmark.
both are interested in developing pioneering
are often controlled by what is known as the
cutives Sverre Narvesen (NCE Raufoss)
gleaned knowledge and experience from
Ekornes has been working systematically
with the Lean principles, a systematic
assembly technology. Their complementary
Lean principle, an approach adopted in the
and Per Erik Dalen (NCE Maritim).
the furniture industry. Ekornes currently
on Lean processes and automation for the
classification concerned with continuous
Learning from one another
skill-sets will contribute to new solutions
Toyota Group’s modernization process. A
has 100 industrial robots in action.
past 15 to 20 years to achieve throughput
improvement, both culturally and structu-
The Eyde network has also developed
that can give the Norwegian export indu­
cornerstone of the Lean principle is holis-
rates and qualities that will guarantee
rally. Elkem and Alcoa Lista are some of
an auditing scheme of its own (“Lean
stry a considerable boost. The aim is to
tic evaluation: the production process is
– One of the last working operations
­profitability and exports to the whole
the pioneering ­companies ­within Lean, but
­Mirror”) for the businesses. Those
develop automated and flexible processes
evaluated and adjusted from start to finish,
to have been robotized makes up about
world from Norway.
several have since ­followed suit.
­companies that so wish are audited by two
using advanced robot technology capable
organization of work processes and ope­
20 percent of the stitching work for a
of assembling specially developed product
rations as well as qualification of employees
company like Ekornes. A production cell
Norwegian Rooms organizes study trips
– We have a competency group of our
from top to bottom. The experts then
series on a small scale too. The robots must
are also important parts of this whole.
with five robots and four sewing machi-
to international environments that have
own, or a team of experts in the network
provide the companies with feedback on
nes is currently controlled by one person
made extra great headway in increasing
helping businesses receive training in the
potential scope for improvement.
and does the work of four people ­working
their competence in robot technology and
Lean principles. Those who are experts
automation further still.
be able to identify the different product
14
Through NCE Maritime Rolls Royce interact with companies in other clusters on more efficient production
of the network’s experts and scrutinized
General Manager of Arena Eyde, Helene Falch
Fladmark. Photo: Per Arne Kvamsø
variants and ensure a seamless transition
Increased production in Norway
from one variant to another. Important
As a high-cost country it is particularly
manually, says head of Norwegian
have been training others. The team also
– The businesses in the network feel they
­collaboration with NCE Raufoss, and this
components are simple, user-controlled
important for Norway to succeed with
Rooms (formerly Arena Furniture and
teaches students completing a masters
can learn more from one another than
is where there is great scope for develop-
programming and self-adjusting processes
such projects because they allow a greater
Interior), Oddbjørn Hatløy.
programme in innovation management
they can from going on courses. Our own
ment for both parties – and for the rest of
using sophisticated sensor engineering.
­proportion of the value creation to take
and industrial economics at the Univer-
experts have experience in e­ valuating
Norwegian industry.
Project Manager of NCE Raufoss, Sverre Narvesen.
Photo: Kilian Munch / Innovation Norway
The Eyde network is planning closer
15
Photo: Kjetil Skogli
FACTS
Finnish inspiration spawned
international cluster collaboration
Arena Arctic Winter
Adventures
The cluster unites more than 40 companies in the travel business, culture and
sport in Nordland, Troms and Finnmark
counties. The vision is to develop north
Norway into a unique travel destination
of preference, with attractive worldclass winter experiences, and during the
project the cluster will assume a marketleader position in developing winter
experiences based on travel, culture and
sport in Arctic areas. Vinter Troms AS
under Arena Arctic Winter Adventures
was nominated for the award «Best
Innovative Business Cluster 2014».
www.vintertroms.no
Inspired by Hurtigruten’s winter campaign and what has been achieved in Finnish Lapland, Arena Arctic
Winter Adventures has invested heavily in developing experiences during the winter months. A strategic
commercial and international cluster collaboration is now in the pipeline for joint winter products combining
visits to both Lapland and north Norway.
The north Norwegian travel agency business
– The Finnish cluster has been an important
– In particular, our companies ­placed
traditionally gets most visitors in summer,
source of inspiration to us, both in terms of
great value on development in the
partly because that is when the masses have
how they have worked internally on com-
­collaboration. When we discovered we
their holiday. At the same time, there are a
pany structure and collaboration between
could help them with the summer traffic,
number of wintertime cultural and sporting
the companies, but also how they have pene-
things improved because we felt we were
events in north Norway that attract visiting
trated the various markets, says Berglund.
able to give something back.
guests. What is more, winter traffic to the
its coastline, a strong infrastructure in the
– We have created a forum for cluster-
cluster collaboration is one of these.
Faith in results
town of Tromsø and not least variation in
to-cluster collaboration, a place where
Although there are Interreg projects that
Thanks to the Arena project, however,
its product range which the Finns cannot
­smaller clusters can collaborate with
do involve travel agencies either side of
­Arctic Winter Adventures has a track-
match.
other smaller clusters within our cluster,
the national border, they have not found
record of good results. In its just under
and an opportunity for companies to
any others that have taken cluster colla-
three years, together with other players
regions of north Norway is enjoying a posi-
Reciprocity
Clear signals from the market
tive development with increasing demand
The start of the Finnish-Norwegian ­cluster
For a short time the collaboration was on
for Northern Lights tourism, various
collaboration was characterized by the
pause. How to continue the collaboration
snow-based activities and the Hurtigruten
one-way nature of the information flow.
was unclear, and some of the enthusiasm
– We regard our ability to make joint pro- ­collaborate directly with other companies. boration as far. A common feature of the
The Finns were open and very amenable
and energy disappeared. It was only when a
ducts that incorporate experiences from
On the agenda now is planning in the
Interreg projects is that they often wish to
companies and VisitNorway, the project
to shar­ing their knowledge and the experi-
third-party came on side in the form of tour
two different countries that complement
shape of new winter products, workshops
resolve border-obstructing issues or cut
has contributed to 20,000 new inter­
ence gleaned along the way. The Norwegian
operators from Great Britain and Germany
each other on the product side as the most
and seminars, says the project manager
across and collaborate on marketing and
national guests to the region, which in turn
tourist cluster was welcomed to Finnish
that the work really gained momentum.
important thing of all about the collabo-
for the north Norwegian Arena cluster.
presenting a joint appearance abroad.
has aggregated to 100,000 new guest days
So far they have made a handful of products,
– We spent a long time searching to find
brought with it a turnover of about NOK
200 million.
coastal cruise line. That potential was not
Project Manager of Arctic Winter Adventures,
Børre Berglund
being ­properly exploited, however, and as a
result of closer collaboration between travel
bureaus, cultural and sports organizers, the
we had a well-developed infrastructure in
Arena project Arctic Winter Adventures
Tromsø. These were positive elements that Lapland, and they went there several times to
was started up in 2011 with the objective of
had to be brought out in the campaign,
get inspiration. They themselves played host
– Via some of the major distributors the mar-
building up traffic during the winter season.
says the project manager of Arctic Winter
a couple of times when a Finnish delegation
ket signalled that it might be interesting to
Berglund emphasizes that there has been
which are provisionally at the conceptual
out whether there is anyone we can learn
­Operating all year round, with a sufficient
Adventures, Børre Berglund.
came to Norway.
produce joint winter products, with suppliers
an evolution in the Finnish-Norwegian
stage. After the summer the aim is that they
from, but we have not found anyone who
on the Finnish and ­Norwegian sides joining
cluster-to-cluster collaboration. They started
will be left with a greater volume, with both
deals with what we do. They tended to be
November to April, is the main challenge for
– At the same time, this is a business
– Through these visits we found a strate-
forces to make trips over several days, combi-
off with the simple things to see how well
more participants and more products. Hope- a bit on the small side for the problems we
the 43 members in the cluster. The compa-
consist­ing of small enterprises whose daily
gic common outlook. Although the Finns
ning visits to both Lapland and the north
it went. Then the assurance that they were
fully, they’ll be ready to release the first joint
nies have ongoing production costs through­
focus is on customers, production and
had a good knowledge of winter traffic,
Norwegian region. This was the factor that
mutually well-intentioned was established,
products this coming winter season.
out the winter, but still too few guests,
­operation, with no particular room for
they lacked both products and, not least,
got the real cluster-to-cluster collaboration off
and from there the path continued on to a
­although a positive trend is visible. The
driving development, he continues.
distribution channels when it came to the
the ground, Berglund relates enthusiastically.
genuine commercial collaboration in which
Desire to carry on
both customers and money are shared.
customer base in the winter months of
ration and what we have started up.
summer season. We were then able to
winter season also contains an off-season
are working on, says Børre Berglund.
– We are well pleased with the results
the project has brought about, and hope
we will have an opportunity to continue
generating good results if we have our
They have been extremely reluctant to
Arena status extended. We also have
work out what results the collaboration
great faith that the cluster-to-cluster
In October Artic Winter Adventures com-
might produce before they know specifi-
­collaboration will bring with it ­additional
plete their third year as an Arena project.
cally how many products will be included
results for both the region as a whole
The project has re-applied for two years’
and the scope of the activities involved.
and the companies taking part, Børre
help them generate traffic in the summer,
On the part of the market, a solution
about the markets, and there was little, if
while they helped us with the winter. It
­involving complementary products was
On the drawing board
any, collaboration between the companies
turned into a commercial trade-off that
­spotted. While Lapland can offer basic
He underlines that they have just started,
continuation, mainly because there are still Once that is all in place, they’ll start
– The nature, activities and cultural
and knowledge environments. They found
has been important to the collaboration
­transport solutions and good industrial
and they will start working on a sound and
a number of processes they are not quite
experiences were already in the bag, and
their help in the Finnish forests.
going forward, the project manager says.
winter experiences, north Norway has both
structure process this summer.
ready to release. The Finnish-­Norwegian
Help from the Finnish forests
such as Nord-Norsk Reiseliv, destination
or so. For the companies involved, this has
The travel agencies lacked knowledge
—the period from October to January.
16
The northern lights tourism is blooming at winter in Northern Norway
­Berglund concludes.
­looking at objectives and results.
17
FACTS
NCE
Smart Energy Markets
NCE Smart Energy Markets is an
accelerator for business start-ups and
growth among the cluster’s companies
and industrial partners, and a catalyst
for trade-oriented university and college training and R&D.
Cluster collaboration based on
the needs of trade and industry
The cluster is supported by Innovation Norway, the Research Council
of Norway and SIVA (the Industrial
Development Corporation of Norway)
through the NCE programme in addition to receiving support from Østfold
County Municipality and Halden
Municipality. NCE Smart Energy Markets is the most vigorous-growth and
internationally oriented trade cluster
in Norway within energy and IT.
Technological changes are full-on and will be of great significance for the competitiveness of many
Norwegian trades. In order to take the lead in developments, Norwegian clusters are hooking up with the
best environments in the world in Big Data.
New technology enabling enormous
large volumes of data over time has seen
and efficiency in terms of the needs of
tunity to top up their knowledge and bring
­volumes of data to be collected and hand-
how performance has to be increased in
trade and industry, says Johansen.
it completely up to date. 15 study points
led is being developed at an ever greater
order to speed things up enough, explains
pace. Within research environments Big
Knut H.H. Johansen, steering group leader The project he is talking about is a course
study points to visualization. Although the
Data is nothing new, but recent years have
at NCE Smart Energy Markets in Halden.
in Big Data and Analytics with adapted
course dovetails neatly with the college’s
seen the concept find its way into trade
are attached to Big Data Analytics and 15
competency-building for trade and industry
existing IT Masters, it is just as much
Longstanding experience with
large data volumes
worth 30 study points. NCE Smart Energy
an offer of further and supplementary
Markets are collaborating with Østfold Uni-
­training aimed at trade and industry.
– Managing data has always been a chal-
Historically, the cluster has worked on
versity College, and the new line of study
lenge, and everyone who has worked on
large volumes of data and different types
now being built in Halden is connecting up
– The technology comes from the Bay
of transactions, including those associated
with prestigious universities in the USA.
Area and Silicon Valley. That’s where this
and industry as well as everyday language.
with energy trading through the Nordic
really has gained momentum, which is
energy exchange, Nord Pool, and similar
On side with the best of them
precisely why we are hooking up with this
marketplaces in Europe, North America
– In order to become global innovation
environment. We have been over there
and Asia. For 20 years the IT area of the
winners, there is no doubt that you need
since 1996 in various guises, and through
cluster focused on the way performance can
to have top-level access to Big Data
the cluster work we now have opportuni-
be boosted to speed up processes enough
competence in a global context. There’s no
ties to hook up with the best environments
when processing large data volumes.
getting away from that. That’s why it’s so
in the world in Big Data and Analytics.
important to connect with those environ-
18
The cluster companies supply products and services for a global market,
representing a turnover of some NOK
26 billion, and are keenly export led.
the contrary, we know that processing
have no time to wait, which is why this
programme of its own, collaborating with
is getting faster and faster, and this
is a course package tailored to trade
universities like Harvard and Stanford in
development is heading in the direction
and industry, but one also approved for
its fields. By collaborating with the cluster
of digitalization and analysis of scarily
­inclusion as a subject in an existing IT
in Kongsberg, NCE Smart Energy Markets
greater volumes of information than we
Masters at the college. Most ­importantly,
have pursued the same model in order to
have been used to. The Big Data revolution
it has been tailor-made for the busi-
construct the new training programme.
means that we are facing radical changes
ness community. In order to be able to
in all aspects of life, from the way we work,
­maintain and increase competitiveness
– The course is a direct consequence of
cluster work through an NCE structure. At
how we produce our food, how we find the
amid increasingly powerful inter­national
the work at the NCE cluster, and would
the same time, it is absolutely vital for the
information we are looking for and how
compe­tition, the ability to amass the
have been impracticable without this.
work being done in many other clusters
we develop new medicines to the way we
­necessary cutting-edge competence
At the same time, it is a good example
that we manage to build up strong skills
predict accidents or crimes. Norwegian
quickly and efficiently will be crucial. So
of ­constructive collaboration between
in Big Data and real-time analysis in
companies and clusters everywhere are
it is ­excellent to see that the college can
Østfold University College and trade and
Norway. By virtue of this cluster collabo-
www.ncesmart.com
achieve when you work efficiently in
– The world is in a race to take market
ments in the world that are foremost in
Calls for faster development
shares and in a Norwegian context we
their various fields, says Johansen.
Even though most of us certainly feel that
asking themselves whether we are suitably
work efficiently and quickly on this type of
industry. The Centre for Competence
the technological development under-
ration, the course will also be available
prepared to compete on the global market.
trade-centred training, Johansen explains.
Development (SKUT), headed by Morten
to the other Norwegian clusters. Quite
need to be much quicker in order to be
Steering Group leader at NCE Smart Energy
­Markets in Halden, Knut H. H. Johansen
Among other things, the cluster’s
players focus on being an international centre for competence and
innovation, tasked with defining and
meeting the needs of the future energy
market. NCE Smart Energy Markets
represent approximately 50 players
divided between trade and industry,
public stakeholders, research environments and educational establishments
in Halden and environs.
competitive. We’re off to a good start,
The jumping-off point is that there is a
gone by the world over the past 20 years
Skaug, has built up the course much more
severe deficit of competence in this field
has been formidable, there is nothing to
– This kind of training is something the
quickly than could have been accomp-
among the players of trade and industry,
­indicate that the development is going
tiveness of all the Norwegian clusters if we
and we see that through the cluster
Pacing from other clusters
simply, we’ll be enhancing the competi­
having put this project into operation,
business community needs now, and it
lished if it were to have gone through as
and people are being offered the oppor­
to slow down in the years to come. On
At Kongsberg, NCE Systems Engineer­
manage to become good within the area,
­collaboration we can work with speed
calls for fast development processes. We
ing has developed a Masters education
a normal course. That’s what you can
says a keen Knut H.H. Johansen.
19
Illustration: TV2
FACTS
MediArena
MediArena is an Arena project that
will develop Bergen and the media
businesses in Bergen to become
Norway’s most innovative media
city and media cluster. The cluster is
implementing a series of initiatives
to gear up for innovation and value
creation with the focus on technology
and digital media, one of the focal
areas having been to contribute to the
establishment of Media City Bergen
as a hub in a broadly composed media
cluster. MediArena started up in 2010,
and was granted an extension in 2013
for an additional two years as a p
­ roject
under the Arena programme.
www.mediarena.no
Future media solutions being
­created in Bergen
Bergen’s most heavy-duty media players have combined forces to boost innovation, growth and value
creation. Now they have also decided to move into a collective business and knowledge park, Media City
Bergen. The aim is to create an internationally top-level environment for innovation and knowledge
­development within the field of media.
The media industry is in a state of intense
Norway, says Stig Frode Opsvik, general
closer collaboration in the sector is needed
Other international success-story compa-
invaluable, says CEO Helge Høibraaten
­relocating its media training to Bergen
­companies an opportunity to grow at an
flux. New digital user patterns and new
manager of MediArena.
to create the kind of offers that future media
nies hailing from the media environment
at Vimond.
Media City, and work has been set in train
early stage by making them low-threshold
consumers will be looking for. The collabo-
in Bergen are: StormGeo, which ­supplies
to develop new training cycles in liaison
office leasing offers in what is set to
global rivals are making increasing
demands in terms of reorganization, inno-
MediArena was set up in 2010 and is
ration will strengthen contact both among
weather forecasting services within media
He has been at the NAB TV and Enter-
with the sector. At the same time, they
become an internationally acclaimed
vation and development. The ability to
altogether central to the development of
the companies and between the companies
and a number of other lines of business;
tainment Show in Las Vegas recently,
also aim to open a new research centre for
media ­environment.
think outside the box is becoming crucial
the cluster, with initiatives in a number of
and R&D environments in Bergen.
Mosart, which supplies production
where he launched the company’s latest
journalistic innovation in association with
for future market positions.
areas. Contributing to the creation of Media
systems for broadcasts; and Vimond,
product, Vimond Highlights. The product
the trend-setting companies.
Making us stronger
This development is being met by the
The media cluster in Bergen is also
City Bergen as a hub in a broadly composed
– This will make us stronger, more
which supplies online video platforms. A
was developed in association with TV2
media cluster is one of a number of areas of
innovative and more future oriented in
number of companies are also on the up.
while planning the Olympics. The result
– In Media City Bergen, students,
with other clusters, including NCE Subsea
commitment.
competition with global players, said NRK
Combined, values have been generated to
was a new tool that enabled TV2 to rapidly
­researchers, journalists and technologists
and DesignArena, to which the Bergen
manager Thor Gjermund Eriksen when
the tune of billions of kroner, all rooted in
produce clips of highlights for its various
will be at the very forefront of develop-
region also plays host. The clusters cluster
media industry in Bergen with an offen-
­engaged in developing closer collaboration
sive attitude and dynamism. Through
TV2, NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting
it became clear that NRK was moving to
the media environment. The companies
digital channels. After TV2 had used the
ments in digital journalism, TV production
out of a joint need to develop visualization
collaboration in the in-trade organization
­Corporation), the newspapers Bergens
Bergen Media City.
emphasize the significance of the cluster
product with great success during the
and media technology. MCB will lead to a
technologies.
in making this happen. The possibility of
Games, Vimond took the solution along
number of innovations and novel ­creations
combining research and development of
with him to the recognized forum for
in the encounter between the sector and
– Bergen is particularly well qualified to
new ideas with players as users is a key
broadcasters, the NAB Show in Las Vegas.
the university, stated the Rector of UoB,
take up strong positions within visuali­
factor in being able to take part in the
The response was extremely good.
Dag Rune Olsen, when the move was
zation technologies, says Stig Frode
announced.
Opsvik at MediArena.
Entirely new start-up companies are also
In the meeting between established
being given support for growth through
companies, academia, entrepreneurs and
Media Region Bergen, the cluster develop-
General Manager of MediArena, Stig Frode
­Opsvik. Photo: Terje Borud
ment project MediArena and the business
and knowledge park Media City Bergen,
20
Bergen’s most heavy-duty media players are moving in to a collective business and knowledge park, Media City Bergen
Tidende and Bergensavisen, Vizrt and the
media training programme at the University
The cluster is invaluable
of Bergen are the ones that will be co-housed
The media cluster in Bergen has turned
broad-based targeted work is in progress
– In Media City Bergen, global techno-
when Bergen Media City has been complet­ed out to be an environment capable of
to develop a unique and strong media
logy companies, national and regional
in 2017. At the same time, they are inviting
­creating innovation and international
cluster in the west Norwegian capital.
media, small-scale enterprises and
in entrepreneurs, companies from the SME
success enterprises within the media
The media’s new everyday routine has
entrepreneurs, research and training
segment and the supplier industry into the
technology field. Companies like Vizrt
– The media cluster is our unique point
made possible a breadth and depth of
gather under the same roof to collaborate
centrally located Bergen complex totalling
have been developed in close interaction
compared with foreign suppliers. People
­collaboration that would have been
on digitalization and technology. This
45,000 sq.m in size.
with TV2 and are now world leaders
out there are beginning to understand
Research and development
the cluster collaboration and Bergen
technology, Bergen’s future media are
imposs­ible a few years back. Media City
will be a living business and knowledge
in TV graphics with clients in over 100
that the reason we are managing to bring
The research and training environments
Media City. The media are working to
creating an everyday setting to rival Oslo
Bergen, for which the go-ahead has just
park. Together the players will create the
The initiative-takers are the players them-
countries. 3,500 TV channels use the
something different to the table is due
are important to the media cluster in
set up a Greenhouse in Bergen Media
as the media capital of Norway.
been agreed, is a good example of this.
most innovative media environment in
selves, who have long since realized that
products from this successful company.
to the cluster in Bergen. That’s totally
­Bergen. The University of Bergen is
City. That will give entrepreneurs and
global competition.
– We have found our Trojan horse,
­Høibraaten stated to mediarena.no.
21
Photo: Shutterstock
FACTS
About NCE Microand Nanotechnology
Physical infrastructure crucial
to new innovations
Two years after the opening of Vestfold Innovation Park, 16 companies are using the testing and
­research facilities—both major partner companies and the cluster’s enterpreneurs. Now NCE ­Micro- and
Nanotechnology is planning to further develop the physical infrastructure of the research park with an
expert centre for testing and piloting.
Micro- and nanotechnology
www.nce-mnt.no
Vestfold Innovation Park, aka the
–Right since the NCE application in 2006
With the knowledge platform, infra-
– For the small companies, access to
Microtech Innovation as start-up assistance
and private financing of their own.
– Investment in and running of micro-
­Research Park, was built to be an inno­
the cluster’s vision has been to unite joint
structure, network and incubator in
­testing and development facilities is a
and together with Incendo AS and two other
Roger Dalseg tells us that the vast majority
and nanotechnology labs is underfunded
– Collecting and co-housing equipment
vation pot for a multitude of players, with
laboratories, clean-rooms and research
position, the cluster is now stepping up
prerequisite to their existence, and spells
investors, SensoCure was established in 2011.
of enterprises in the cluster spend more
in Norway, both from the perspective of
and competencies brings with it consider­
an auditorium, course and conference
resources at a centre connected with
its work on innovation. By means of team
scope for success, says Nils Høivik. He
than 20 percent of their costs on R&DI,
recorded requirements and compared
able earnings potential, as well as
rooms, an incubator, a simulator centre,
innovation activities in the cluster. That
and collaborative projects the cluster
is head of the Department of Micro- and
– Without access to lab facilities Senso-
some more than 50 percent. Nevertheless,
with countries we compete with. We have
i­ncreased hosting appeal for localization
and clean-room facilities and laboratories.
collective rallying point was realized at
­companies are committed to expanding
Nanosystem Technology at the Buske-
Cure would have progressed no further
they have an unmet need for more R&DI
identified a “wishlist” worth approx. NOK
within the area, Dalseg says.
The building stock of 11,000 sq.m was
the Vestfold Innovation Park, says the
their ability to innovate towards new
rud and Vestfold University College,
along the route to market, no matter how
in order to be able to maintain or bolster
120 million for micro- and nanotechno-
completed in 2011 in connection with
General Manager of NCE Micro- and
applications and new markets.
which owns and operates the testing and
good the idea was. The strong micro- and
their competitiveness.
logical equipment. This is equipment we
He also stresses that NCE’s task is not
the Vestfold campus at the Buskerud and
Nanotechnology, Roger Dalseg.
development facilities.
nano-environment here at Vestfold – for
could commission immediately to benefit
to drive physical infrastructure as a test
the member enterprises, Dalseg says.
­centre or labs, but says they have an
trade and academia alike – as well as an
– The companies are operating in an
building is owned by SIVA and Horten
From the beginning, the NCE MNT
of the cluster’s players as well as Inno-
One of the smaller entrepreneur ­companies
active incubator - makes an important
expanding multi-million market, where
Industrial Park, and is the result of a
­cluster, in association with HBV, has
vation Norway’s regional office, and the
that has started to use the testing and
­staging post along our route, says the pro-
it is largely about being at the forefront
Expert centre for testing
­targeted effort and cluster collaboration
developed important technology know-
complex is fully occupied. The next stage
development facilities at Vestfold is Senso-
ject manager at SensoCure, Berit Brosvik.
of developments in technology. It is then
NCE Micro- and Nanotechnology is
ever since the start-up of the NCE Micro-
how and research capacities. This work
of construction is therefore in the pipeline,
Cure.
essential to commit to R&DI and organized
planning to further develop the physical
More physical infrastructure
and Nanotechnology project in 2005.
is still in progress, and is now shared
in order to be able to open its doors to
physical infrastructure, Dalseg says.
infrastructure at the Research Park with an
– Testing centres, piloting, simulation
­between a number of teams, with the
more enterprises and more joint cluster
The newly developed Norwegian sensor
220 million Norwegian kroner was the
expert centre for testing. Dalseg believes that
centres and other near-to-trade physi-
cluster’s companies collaborating with the
resources under the same roof.
may revolutionize the surveillance and
price tag for the actual building, with
Many of the cluster enterprises are active
a test centre will be an important piece of the
cal infrastructure for R&DI attract and
monitoring of freshly operated patients
the clean-room and adjacent labs alone
clients in the R&DI public-support sys-
innovation platform, not least in reducing
develop skills and support innovation.
and become a new multi-million indu­
­costing 30 million to create. The equip-
tem called virkemiddelapparatet. HBV
the ‘time to market’ for new innovations.
We need to amass more of that here in
stry. The sensor is just one millimetre
ment is additional to that.
and NCE Micro- and Nanotechnology
The enterprises annually make large-scale
­Norway in order to consolidate future
are a
­ ctively contributing in the form of
investments in their own equipment and
value creation, Dalseg says.
Vestfold University College (HBV). The
Today the research park houses a number
university college on applied research with
22
The cluster consists of some 30 research environments and enterprises in
the Horten region which develop and
manufacture micro- and nanotechnology. The cluster holds a top position
in Norwegian electronics and the ICT
environment. By adopting different
fora and collaborative projects, NCE
MNT wishes to strengthen Norway’s
position in one of the world’s fastest
growing and most competitive industrial markets.
Expensive and underfunded
important task to perform as an agitator
pushing for establishment.
the use of lab resources and clean-rooms.
Important to the start-up
­companies
– In 2008 we started work on construc-
Of the four environments dealing with micro-
in ­diameter and reasonable to produce.
tion of the research park and a tech-
and nanotechnology in Norway, the Research
These sensors can be inserted into organs
As a result of the national collaboration,
­contacts and applications to various parts
resources, but in addition have to pur-
nology-based incubator. We have been
Park in Vestfold clearly has the most develo-
when people undergo small or large ope-
the NorFab project, NOK 11.5 million is
of this public-support system. Given
chase services from other players. In other
– An expert centre for testing is vital to
working away singlemindedly to develop
ped linkage with industry. Through close-knit
rations, and will give an immediate alert if
being invested in state-of-the-art technical
that the projects involved are research
words, the present-day labs at Vestfold
the enterprises’ competitiveness. They
the cluster’s networks further, both natio-
collaboration between the public sector and
there is any change in the blood supply.
equipment for clean-room and labs at the
intensive and rooted in the university
College only cater for a small part of the
need to be absolutely sure the products
nally and internationally, and the cluster
the business community, it has therefore
Research Park. This support comes from
college, they have largely succeeded in
partner enterprises’ requirements. A
work, as manufacturers of critical com-
Roger Dalseg, General Manager of
has built strong relations with the world’s
succeeded in establishing an attractive
The idea for the new biosensor originated
the Infrastructure Fund for the Research
matching the competition for support
number of services are purchased natio-
ponents on a rocket bound for Mars, an
NCE Micro- and Nanotechnology
leading environments within this type of
lighthouse and junction box for strengthening
with Professor Tor Inge Tønnesen at Riks-
Council of Norway. In addition, the user
from the Council of Research and the fund
nally, but a major share is bought in from
installation on the seabed or a car have
technology, Dalseg continues.
innovation and creating value in the region.
hospitalet, Oslo’s University Hospital. With
companies have contributed equipment
­Oslofjordfondet.
Sweden, Denmark, Germany and France.
no leeway for mess-ups, Dalseg says.
23
Photo: Irene Lislien
FACTS
NCE Systems Engineering
International competence and
local training relevant to businesses
By collaborating with the finest specialist environments in the world, NCE Systems Engineering
(NCE SE), Kongsberg, is building a joint competence base for its companies through the Norwegian
­Institute of Systems Engineering (NISE). This knowledge is enhancing the companies’ capability for
­increased ­innovation and competitiveness in a number of business areas.
The master studies in Systems Engineering offered at HBV, gives the students an unique opportunity
to combine studies with a semester abroad together with work in a global company.
The technology businesses at Kongsberg
College (HBV). The institute got in touch
models, and is attractive to industrial
Ketil Widerberg, General Manager of the
In association with NCE SE, HBV ­Systems
Working students
can be in employment at the same time;
idea to finished product or service, and will
cover a broad spectrum of trades. Every­
with the two specialist environments as a
­clusters throughout Norway. NCE SE
Oslo Cancer Cluster, agrees with that:
Engineering is offered as a masters
The programme model differs from traditio-
and the third is that the students meet
work closely with NCE SE in the continuing
thing from cars, planes, defence and aero-
result of constructing the skills base.
­therefore has widespread collaboration with
programme. The masters programme is a
nal masters programmes in many ways, in
for ­periods to discuss their subject and
work, says Knut H.H. Johansen, steering
develop together, Bjørnson explains.
head at NCE Smart Energy Markets.
space to maritime and offshore is represen-
other clusters and companies with a desire
– The Oslo Cancer Cluster has previously
result of close-knit cooperation ­between
that the students are 50% employed in the
for increased competence in this field.
used the foresight process to examine the
the businesses and the college. The high
companies on a paid basis and 50% students.
optimization of clinical studies. A ­growing
academic standard of the training is
They can thus apply their new learning to
The study model has already captured the
The companies decide
field with more systematic ­challenges is
jointly guaranteed by the businesses,
relevant problems at the companies. In effect
interest of many external environments.
– One of the major success factors is that
faced with performing a complex challenge,
population-based personalized ­medicine.
HBV and the international collaboration
this is a masters level “apprentice scheme”.
NCE SE is already collaborating with NCE
the companies’ requirements determine
whether it be deliveries of technological
To explain it briefly: how to get the right
partners. The students have an unique
The results being achieved by the students
Raufoss, NCE Maritim and NCE NODE on
the composition of subjects and what kind
systems and/or services, and we are seeing
treatment to the right group of people.
opportunity to get close to the companies
are attracting international attention.
the Norwegian Industrial Cluster. From NCE
of research is done, Bjørnson says.
companies from other clusters joining in and
The Oslo Cancer Cluster believes that
during their studies and on completion
Whereas most study venues spread their
SE there is a wish for other study venues to
ted. This, combined with the fact that the
– The fact that we represent a globally
environment is internationally recognized
unique environment with competitive com-
for its work and its knowledge, makes the
panies in different lines of business makes
– Systems engineering is relevant to anyone
companies attractive collaboration partners
us interesting in terms of inter­national
for international specialist environments.
knowledge cooperation, says Torkil
Among NCE SE collaboration partners we
­Bjørnson, General Manager of NCE SE.
find both the Stevens Institute of Technology and Stanford University: two highly
Collaboration between hard-hitting
wishing to take part in the work being done
Systems Engineering will be able to help
of their ­masters will be qualified to take
lectures over a few hours every week
try out the same model so as to make it more
A distinct trade-oriented profile is instru-
accredited institutions, within systems
institutions and the technology business­es
on systems engineering, Bjørnson says.
meet challenges in the treatment of cancer
part in and lead the development of large,
throughout the year, the lectures here are
efficient to take individual subjects at other
mental in imparting competence to busi-
engineering and innovation, respectively.
in Kongsberg makes a strong specialist
patients. That applies to every­thing
­complex ­products and systems requiring
concentrated into periods/individual sub-
study venues, while at the same time these
nesses in those areas where they need to
NISE comes under the Faculty of Techno-
environment with great synergies for all
The cluster is now working closely with the
from designing studies to organizing
the ­involvement of many specialist fields.
jects with up to 40 hours’ lectures a week.
study venues can more easily consolidate
assert themselves in the global competition.
logy at Buskerud and Vestfold University
parties. Through this work NISE is able to
programme managers at NCE in order to
treatment. We are therefore dialoguing
Between lecture periods the knowledge
their own speciality.
The companies learn from one another and
offer the companies relevant cutting-edge
examine how systems engineering can be
with Gerrit Muller, Professor of Systems
– Both academically high content and
learned is put into practice and the students
skills and expertise in systems engineering
used in different innovation processes and
­Engineering, to see how we can tackle
structure are vital to the potential success of
are given a chance to regularly exchange
– This model is extremely interesting and it
brings the industry into the training and the
and coterminous disciplines.
thus make systems engineering central to
these challenges together.
this training programme, says Bjørnson.
experiences and collectively reflect in these
should become more and more widespread,
training into the industry.
intervening periods. That gives the students
says Bjørnson, singling out NCE Smart
He highlights Aker Solutions and Nymo
an opportunity of their very own to see the
Energy in Halden as one of the clusters on
– This development of knowledge is crucial
in Grimstad from NCE NODE, EFD in
links between theory and practice.
which he has modelled the structure of new,
to being successful in our industry most
business-relevant subjects at his college.
exposed to competition, Bjørnson concludes.
multi-cluster innovation platforms.
client for academia. We respond to this
Bjørnson highlights the fact that Systems
need with effective access to r­ elevant
Engineering has primarily been used
A range of studies catering for the needs
Grenland and GE Oil & Gas in Sandvika
­competence primarily in systems
within the technology industry, but they
of industry is crucial to attract competent
as companies already taking part in the
– It provides many other positive benefits,
­engineering, Bjørnson says.
see great potential in sophisticated service
employees and thus be able to compete in a
­Systems Engineering masters programme.
the most important being that we can
– Kongsberg has designed a very good
The aim of NCE SE has always been to be the
provision, including in the healthcare
global economy. The technology companies
In association with FMC, Aker ­Solutions
recruit students from all over Norway,
approach for innovation processes where
strongest competence base in Systems Engi-
service.
in Kongsberg compete with the rest of the
and GE Oil & Gas the cluster has also
since they are only allowed to be here for
also the systems engineering is used as a
neering in Europe. They appear to be succeed­
Systems engineering cuts across sectors,
world daily and have to be ahead of the field
developed a new masters in Subsea
limited periods of time in order to attend
tool. We strongly believe that this is the way
ing in that aim, in close collaboration with the
specialist environments and business
in terms of knowledge and competition.
­Systems Engineering.
the teaching. The second is that they
to go in order to increase the speed from
world’s top academic specialist environments.
Great applicability
Torkil Bjørnson,
General Manager, NCE SE, Kongsberg
the academic specialist environments. This
Masters studies in Systems
Engineering
– These businesses are the demanding
24
NCE Systems Engineering will help
to further develop Kongsberg and
Norway as one of the world’s most
attractive sites for the development
and industrialization of high-tech
products destined for use in demand­
ing applications. The core competency
in the cluster is Systems Engineering.
The Kongsberg cluster comprises 14
knowledge-based ­companies with
world-leading positions in industrial
segments like maritime, subsea, car
parts, aerospace and defence.
www.nce-se.no
25
Photo: Oslo Medtech /Intervensjonssenteret, OUS
Oslomedtech
FACTS
About Oslo Medtech
Oslo Medtech generates ­innovation
and facilities development for medico-­
technical products and services,
its goal being to build a robust and
internationally c­ ompetitive medtech
trade in Norway. Oslo Medtech joined
the Arena programme in November
2009 and currently has 170 member
­businesses.
www.oslomedtech.no
International
cluster collaboration
About Innovation Express
Innovation Express is opening Europe up to Oslo Medtech and its cluster members. That is helping to
safeguard an innovative and growing Norwegian medical technology trade in a global market with
rapid growth.
For Oslo Medtech the aim is an international competitive Norwegian medtech and e-health trade
that will reach out onto the global market
The healthcare market is changing quickly
a joint European initiative for small and
– When Oslo Medtech was established in
high-quality health service, and we are also
and ever more rigorous demands are being
medium-sized businesses that collaborate
autumn 2009, there were no health tech-
starting to put in place testing facilities
made of the quality of the products being
in clusters. The programme is playing an
nology clusters or similar environments
where the companies can test and verify
e-health trade that will reach out onto the
– Thanks to Innovation Express we have
the collaboration on testing facilities is an
individual market functions. Innovation
supplied. In a sector with high standards
instrumental part in initiating, developing
and networks in the Oslo region, and
their products and services. The health
global market, but the pathway to that
a project that is mapping testing facilities
example of that, Myhre relates.
Express is making a powerful contri­
and different business models, require-
and strengthening international colla-
few of the players knew one another. We
sector is in a state of rapid flux, with an
market is long and must be taken step by
in Norway and Sweden in association
ments that vary from one part of the world
boration for growth and innovation. The
­started virtually from scratch. Through
increasing number of elderly and more
step. Bridges to link with environments
with our Swedish partners. This enables
Powerful support from Europe
to another and business models (who
programme has allowed several of Oslo
the ARENA project, Oslo Medtech has built people being affected by the big national
abroad are altogether vital to this work.
our members to gain a comprehensive
Against the backdrop of the economic
Myhre feels that the models Innovation
is the client) that differ from country to
Medtech’s members to benefit from local
up a culture in which it is now ­natural for
diseases, and this represents marketing
overview of Scandinavian testing install­
situation in Europe, the EU decided that
Express is using make it possible for
country, the prerequisites for good local
knowledge on the part of international
people to converse, network, interact and
opportunities for the trade—a potential
– It is important for this sector to have
ations. For our members that knowledge
Horizon 2020 should, to an even greater
Medtech to operate extensive international
knowledge and international collabo­
partners.
trade on joint projects involving R&D,
opening for a big Norwegian and global
‘door-openers’ on the ground in those
is paramount, and Innovation Express is
extent than its predecessors, contribute
collaboration and contribute to putting
innovation and market development,
market in the future. The many small and
countries we wish to operate in. This is an
crucial to their success, Myhre says.
to economic growth and to stronger trade
good projects in place.
Oslo Medtech has 170 member busines-
says Kathrine Myhre, m
­ anager of Oslo
new companies depend on working
international trade with global potential,
ses and is a key factor in trading between
Medtech.
internationally and cluster-to-cluster.
Myhre explains.
is working to continuously improve the
Vigorous growth
In this trade a high degree of regulation
Crucial to succeeding
competency of its members, and represents
Although the Norwegian medtech trade is
and different standards make working
the entire value chain of innovation and
young, it is very much a high-growth trade.
internationally complex and collabo­ration
trade development. This includes research
Menon Business Economics, an analysis
and educational environments, hospitals,
local authorities and nursing homes, busi­
company for the business ­community, has
estimated the turnover to be NOK 35
nesses that make medtech products and
­billion, and still growing. This is partly due
solutions, e-health and welfare technology,
investors, time trade-offs (TTO) and incu-
ration are crucial. Innovation Express is
Kathrine Myhre, Manager of Oslo Medtech
Photo: Astrid Bjerke Lund, Forskningsparken AS
bution to this work, Myhre adds.
and industry on the continent. ­Horizon
Mapping the information on testing
2020 is the EU’s eighth framework
– Both cluster-to-cluster collaboration
­facilities is an aid to giving Norwegian
­programme and has a development budget
and B2B collaboration are essential for
companies with new products greater
of 80 billion euro. Innovation Express
us. Our sector is outgrowing the Norweg­
The two projects have co-actors in other
­scope for having these trialled and thus
has been instrumental in affording Oslo
ian market. We need to get out into the
European countries as a result of Inno­
progressing a step further towards
Medtech an opportunity to find partners in world and compete globally. Innovation
important. The international cluster
vation Express. The first is a Scandinavian
­realizing and commercializing the product.
other countries for collaborative projects.
­collaboration is vital for knowing who is
collaboration on testing facilities. Testing
the actual purchaser of the product, how to
of products not only in the environments
– For us the most important thing of
– The aim for Horizon 2020 is to
and conduct market analyses on behalf of
get the product approved, what reimburse-
they are to be used in, but also by those
all is to participate in the projects from
­strengthen trade and industry in Europe.
the Norwegian medtech trade. In this way
to Norway investing an annual NOK 8
ment schemes to engage with and which
who are going to be using them, is crucial
which our members, and particularly
Through our cluster collaboration we
Innovation Express has helped to kick-
billion in health research and having a
rules apply in every single country. For
to in-trade product development.
the medtech trade, will benefit. Thanks to
are finding international partners who
start international collaboration for the
bators, distributors, service providers like
sound knowledge and technology
Oslo Medtech the aim is an international
Innovation Express we have projects that
are interested in collaborating with our
medtech trade, Myhre concludes.
design bureaus, lawyers, CROs and so on.
­foun­dation to build on. We have a good,
competitive Norwegian medtech and
are of great benefit to our members and
members and are able to tell us how each
­players in the healthcare sector. The cluster
26
Innovation Express is a financing and
matchmaking scheme for clusters
in the countries around the Baltic
Sea. The objective is to fund collabo­
ration p
­ rojects between clusters from
­different countries in the region. The
instrument ­provides scope for fast
implementation, hence the name
Express.
Express has good models that are helping
to empower us as a cluster to open doors
27
Collaboration in
Sogn and Fjordane produces
healthy juice and innovative vigour
The enterprises in the Arena cluster “Fruit and Berries in Sogn and Fjordane” account for a large
proportion of Norway’s fruit and berry production. The cluster is in the process of setting up the
trademark “Sogn and Fjordane – Norway’s fruit bowl”. They live up to that label too, and the enterprises
have achieved good financial results and an enhanced ability to innovate as a result of collaborating.
One of a number of exciting projects involves using common sea-buckthorn in juice, fruit drinks and jam
production.
The Arena Fruit Cluster is set to
revitalize the fruit and berry trade in
Sogn and Fjordane through a network
that will promote new and exciting
products, guarantee value creation
from grower to industry, and generate
increased turnover at every stage.
Sogn and Fjordane will be built as
a national centre for innovation in
fruits and berries, and the players in
the cluster have rallied around the
strategic promise “Sogn & Fjordane
– Norway’s Fruit Bowl”, which will
strengthen the trademark for Norwegian fruits and berries from this area.
www.fruktogbaer.no
Common sea-buckthorn on a branch
Common sea-buckthorn (Hippophae
sea-buckthorn. Common sea-buckthorn
off being market-ready, so we are keen
after all. But one thing is certain, we would
– Some of this is due to the manufacturers
Norway has assisted with professional and
also has strategy meetings at which the
rhamnoides) is a plant with edible berries.
contains provitamins A B, C and E, and
to have a market player along too. Once
never have tried this out, had it not been
having made correct choices in terms of
technical support as well as extra funding
players get to deal with topics of strategic
These have properties that make fruit and
important minerals like sulphur, selenium,
Lerum, together with packing plants and
for the Arena project, says Hjeltnes.
cultures. They have adapted to the market
in the process of developing the identity
signi­ficance to the entire business. Last
berry products attractive, such as intense
zinc and copper. The cluster has set in
manufacturers, was interested, s­ upport
and concentrated on berries and drupes
and trademark strategy. This is intended
year the ­meeting centred on the raspberry.
colour and a high content of vitamins and
train an innovation project intended to
was given by the Research Council,
Arena Fruit Cluster is a value chain cluster,
(stone fruits), which yield a higher value
to ensure that the cluster is adequately
50 ­percent of the value generated in the
antioxidants. For example, our juice from
see whether, by adding common sea-buck­
and NOFIMA took on the assignment,
with primary manufacturers inputting pro-
per area than other products. The cluster
resourced in this work. A clear-cut brand
­cluster is cultivation and processing of
common sea-buckthorn fruit is part of the
t­­­­­­horn to juices and jams, even healthier
the ­project gained momentum. That’s
duction deliverables. In addition, the pack-
has contributed to every single enterprise
strategy jointly developed by the cluster is
raspberries. The players discuss how they
diet for Russian cosmonauts, and in China
products can be obtained than with tradi-
precisely the way we wish to work in the
ing plants and industrial players processing
being able to make its choices based on
an important foundation which we wish
plan to handle the increasing tonnage
– Innovation Norway has been an
there are more than 200 medicinal and
tional juice and jam-making.
cluster, Hjeltnes continues.
the products are taking part. Gartnerhallen,
an even more broad-based skills base and
to continue building on as an operational
and how market prospects are looking.
invalu­able collaboration partner in
which is the manufacturers’ and producers’
network, says Hjeltnes.
communications platform.
The mood in the sector has switched from
several respects. We have had a project for
­concern to optimism, says Hjeltnes:
increased innovation power which we
cosmetic products containing common
Cluster manager Stein Harald Hjeltnes
Njøs Næringsutvikling, a company engaged
marketing organization, is also on side. In
enthuses about the project:
in nutritional development, is investigating
addition, support players are participating
The players in Arena Fruit Cluster have
– ”Sogn & Fjordane – Norway’s fruit
– The common sea-buckthorn project is
cultivation systems and harvesting techniques
in the cluster, such as the Norwegian Agri-
rallied around the strategic undertaking:
bowl” will strengthen the cluster’s general
– The cluster has proved to be hugely
The e­ nterprises have been given i­ ncreased
a very exciting one! Here many different
as part of the project. NOFIMA is a research
cultural Extension Service, the Sogn School
“Sogn & Fjordane – Norway’s fruit bowl”,
image and contribute to a stronger sense
import­ant for us. The enterprises feel more
skills in how to operate systematic
players have been working together to
partner in the project and is documenting
of Organic Agriculture and Horticulture,
which will bolster the trademark for
of community. That’s a direct and con-
comfortable with one another, they know
innovation, and a number of ideas are
look into the possibility of a new product.
processing properties and ingredients in the
Vestlandsforskning (an assignment-based
­Norwegian fruits and berries from this area. crete result following on from the Arena
one another’s capacities and abilities, and
being further developed, incl. the Celina
Lerum applied to the Research Council of
common sea-buckthorn products. The manu-
research institute), the Helgeland Know­
This brand strategy is based on the different project, and it gives us a national position
are given a network to play on. We can
pear, which has also turned out to have
Norway and brought along the pack-
facturers and packing plants are supplying the
ledge Park, the County Governor’s Agricul-
natural conditions we have for cultivating
that we are going to have to flesh out in
discuss matters like economy systems, new
great international potential. Innovation
ing plants, the food research institute
industry with the raw materials.
tural Section and Innovation Norway.
and processing, and for which we have
the years to come, Hjeltnes elaborates.
technologies and suchlike. Without the clus-
­Norway also provides important support
ter a number of them would have worked
for new planting and supports many
NOFIMA and a number of manufacturers
who are trialling new products, he says.
Stein Harald Hjeltnes, Cluster Manager Fruit and
Berries in Sogn and Fjordane
28
Arena Fruit Cluster
longstanding traditions. A new logo has
– We don’t yet know what will come out of
The cluster has seen that collaboration
Logo/Graphic profile developed by BåL Mining in collaboration with designer Martin Kvamme. Photo: Dag Røen
FACTS
could not have carried off without them.
been designed, and a new website will be
The cluster concentration has ­created
more by themselves and had a more difficult
­projects that enable the enterprise to
the project. It may be products of industrial pays. They have several large projects on
ready during 2014. The intention behind
­great interest in the fruit and berry
angle of approach to their work, he says.
invest in new technology. We view
– In the cluster new kinds of fruits and
importance, it may be spin-off products,
the go that have yielded good financial
the label is to have identity and branding
environment. Every year there is a joint
berries are still being tested. Actually,
or it may turn out that common sea-buckt-
­results for the fruit and berry players in
strengthen the cluster’s repu­tation, and
meeting at which the enterprises discuss
He is also very pleased with the collabo­
oriented, and we find good solutions
new products sometimes emerge that
horn is not set to become a key component
Sogn and Fjordane. Over the past ten years
is important in building a strong trade
a topic of collective interest, with most
ration with Innovation Norway:
­together when we have good project ideas.
look promising. They’re often a long way
in the Norwegian fruit and berry business
their turnover has increased fivefold.
cluster within fruits and berries. Innovation
of the players in attendance. The cluster
­Innovation Norway as extremely solution
29
Photo: Linda Cartridge/Oslo Cancer Cluster
FACTS
Innovation with
international ­expertise
Oslo Cancer Cluster
The Oslo Cancer Cluster is a cluster
that develops and supplies cancer
diagnostics and medication to the
world market. The cluster sets out
to improve life as a cancer patient
by speeding up the development of
new cancer therapies. NCE OCC is
contributing to this by paving the way
for collaboration projects and access
to skill-sets. The cluster consists of
almost 70 members from research
environments and companies from
Scandinavia, and has been part of the
NCE programme since 2007.
www.oslocancercluster.no
The Norwegian environment around the NCE cluster Oslo Cancer Cluster leads the field of immunooncology. In close collaboration with international environments, the cancer medicines of the future are
being developed, the goal being to activate the patient’s own immune defences to fight the cancer cells.
collaboration between business and indu­
two drug candidates which are ten times
been generated in collaboration with inter­
we see Norway holding a strong position,
stry, academia and international partners.
more effective than lactoferricin at killing
nationally recognized oncology research
and we have strong companies here. The
He is keen to stress the importance of the
bacteria and cancer cells. The drug candi-
groups from both Stanford, Karolinska
programme at Innovation Norway, but
– Lytix Biopharma makes active use
­research has great potential, not only as
work being done in the cancer clusters to
date for cancer treatment kills cancer cells
Institute, Calgary University, the Radium
the cluster itself was given the authority to
of the national and international fora
an important form of treatment for cancer
develop new medicines.
in the space of just minutes and mobilizes
Hospital and Institut Gustave Roussy.
decide who should receive the award. ­Lytix
we put in place. There they were put in
Biopharma was one of three companies
touch with foreign experts who are now
but also for creating growth in the cluster
the immune defences to kill surviving
partners. New concepts within medicine
– By staking its commitment clearly in
cancer cells as well as protecting against
– The Oslo Cancer Cluster has an
which received support from the cluster. An
working with them as advisers. We have
have to be trialled and tested, which takes
the field of immuno-oncology, the Oslo
relapses.
­altogether pivotal role in connecting
important part of the work for the cluster is
also presented Lytix Biopharma at invest­
time and money. Early-phase companies
Cancer Cluster is gearing up for a syste-
us with the right skill-sets globally. We
to ­establish ­collaboration between small and
or meetings with Advent Ventures, for
with great potential often face challenges
matic approach to the enigma of cancer.
– The animal experiments show extremely
have liaised with advisors with inter-
large ­companies nationally and internatio-
example, and realize we have an import­
in raising funding for early development.
We are tailor-making initiatives for small
good results. The animals become cancer
national competence in and outside
nally. By virtue of the position the cluster has
ant function in presenting the Norwegian
This is also the case for success stories like
and medium-size enterprises within the
free and are protected against r­ elapses. We of Norway, who have contributed to
Algeta, which in February suddenly found
cluster. This is building a strong innovation
are now underway with patient ­studies in
designing the clinical study we are now
the ­attention of key players abroad. This is
itself rated Norway’s 17th-largest listed
environment in which the members can
which the aim is to transfer these results to
conducting. Among others, the Oslo
conducive not only to innovation but also to
company, Ketil F. Widerberg says.
learn from, and support, one another. In
people, explains Unni Hjelmaas, ­managing
Cancer Cluster ­invited Jeff Weber, a
increased access to risk capital.
addition, the Oslo Cancer Cluster has an
director of Lytix Biopharma.
leader in immuno­therapy, over from the
players in various arenas, for instance the
built up, it has the possibility of attracting
Jutta Heix, International advisor for
Oslo Cancer Cluster
Photo: Linda Cartridge/Oslo Cancer Cluster
International Cancer Cluster Showcase,
Cancer medicine
of the future
Immuno-oncology is about training
the immune system to kill cancer cells.
In December 2013 Science Magazine
nominated the work being done in the
field as the “breakthrough of the year”.
A report from Citigroup in June 2013
shows that immunotherapy will likely
form the basis of 60 percent of all
cancer treatment methods developed
worldwide within 10 years.
which is a fantastic forum for showcasing
Norwegian companies to global oncology
and once the collaboration has been put in
experts in association with international
and we lead when it comes to research in
place, it opens up access to new networks,
clusters, Heix concludes.
oncology. The Oslo Cancer Cluster’s aim
Widerberg is manager of the Oslo Cancer
important role to play in the work of linking
­Moffitt
­Cancer
Center in Florida. Since
Pacing under starter’s orders
Cluster. He has longstanding experience in
cluster members with important players in
The immune system can destroy cancer
we managed to make contact, he has been
For new corporate start-ups and smaller
implementing new projects in oncology in
academia, at drug companies and inter­
cells naturally, but its ability to do so is
acting in an advisory capacity for us.
­players, it also provides access to expertise
national investors, explains Widerberg.
­impaired by cells that protect the cancer
Then this winter, Mario Sznol, research
within clinical testing, which can be an aid in
Jutta Heix has an important part to play in
Cancer affects us all. In Norway research
tumour locally. The challenge is to break
programme manager at the Yale Cancer
setting up efficient and sound testing set-ups.
building a Norwegian immuno-oncology
in cancer has been going on since the
this local tolerance. Experts in the field
Center, was also invited to Norway, and
consortium in the NCE cluster, the Oslo
Radium Hospital was inaugurated as the
– It’s already creating noticeable bene-
Lytix Biopharma is one of the companies
think that i­ mmunotherapy will become an
that’s how we made contact with him,
– Lytix Biopharma has received very good
Cancer Cluster. She holds a doctorate in
country’s first specialist cancer hospital
fits for the patients. The investment now
in the cluster. The company develops
important part of the treatment for cancer
Hjelmaas explains.
support from Innovation Norway and the
molecular biology from the University of
by King ­Haakon VII in 1932. The Oslo
going into research is creating many good
drugs on the basis of colostrum. Lacto­
in years to come.
Research Council, providing ­private long-
Heidelberg and is an international adviser
Cancer ­Cluster has its natural origins at the
potential medicines. Here our role as a
term investors who have chosen to invest
to the Oslo Cancer Cluster. There she
Radium Hospital in Oslo and surround-
cluster is important in supporting the small
Activates the immune defences
ferricin, which is part of a milk protein,
Manager of Oslo Cancer Cluster, Ketil F. Widerberg. Photo: Linda Cartridge/Oslo Cancer Cluster
30
The lab at the Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital
– Immuno-oncology is a new area where
Gearing up for innovation
Hjelmaas clarifies.
A clear player internationally
is to be involved in contributing to the
­development of new treatment methods,
and diagnosis must proceed more quickly.
is a so-called host defence peptide. Host
International experts
As part of the pilot programme Innovasjons­
in our company with quality assurance
­coordinates the cluster’s international
ing environments. Spin-off companies and
­companies, e.g. by putting them in touch
­defence peptides are important in the front
Although Lytix Biopharma is still at the
rammen “The Innovation Framework”,
and risk mitigation. The Oslo Cancer
network. She also flags up Lytix Bio­
academic start-ups that have grown have
with international opinion leaders, show-
line of defence against micro-organisms.
R&D stage, its research shows that the
the Oslo Cancer Cluster last year ran a
Cluster organizes meetings on interesting
pharma as a player with great potential,
provided a fertile base for this cluster work,
casing them to investors, other companies
Lytix Biopharma was the first in the world
drug candidate LTX-315 kills cancer cells
competition with prizes totalling NOK 1
topics with internationally acclaimed
and one that has been good at exploiting
which has developed to become a national
and pharmaceutical companies who want
to discover that lactoferricin also kills
and initiates a prolonged-action protective
million for innovation projects in immuno-
players. This gives us an excellent way
the international potential offered by the
collaboration. Today Norway spends NOK 8 to collaborate with them on international
­cancer cells. The company has designed
immune response. Positive results have
oncology. The funds came from the NCE
of breaking through the “sound barrier”;
cluster collaboration.
billion on health research and development, arrangements, Jutta Heix concludes.
31
Design: Gambit Hill+Knowlton. Layout: blankeark.no. CovePhoto: Siv Nærø/Innovation Norway
NCE and Arena are implemented in cooperation between:
siva
for nyskaping og vekstkraft
NORWEGIAN CENTRES OF EXPERTISE
(NCE) og ARENA
Innovation Norway. P.O. Box 448, Sentrum. 0104 Oslo.
Office address: Akersgata 13. 0158 Oslo.
For more information, contact the NCE/Arena programmesecretariat
on telephone number: (+47) 22 00 25 00 or visit our websites
www.nce.no
www.arenaprogrammet.no

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