Norway's startup ecosystem is steadily growing, with Oslo being the main hub for innovation. As of 2023, Norway is home to around 1,500 startups. The Norwegian government supports entrepreneurship through initiatives like Innovation Norway and the Research Council of Norway, which provide funding, resources, and mentorship for startups. In 2022, Norwegian startups raised approximately €1 billion in venture capital.
Size of the Market
The Norwegian startup ecosystem is home to around 1,500 startups as of 2023. In 2022, these startups collectively raised approximately €1 billion in venture capital. This growth is supported by various government initiatives and private investments, indicating a robust and expanding market for new ventures.
Key Strengths
Norway's key strengths include a highly educated workforce, a strong focus on sustainability, and a high quality of life. The country's emphasis on green technology and innovation makes it an attractive destination for startups, particularly in sectors like cleantech, fintech, and healthtech.
Major Hubs
Oslo is the main hub for innovation in Norway, known for its strengths in fintech, healthtech, and cleantech. The city attracts significant investments and has produced notable startups like Kahoot! and Otovo. The presence of world-class universities and research institutions fosters a collaborative environment for startups.
Emerging Hubs
Other cities in Norway are also emerging as important hubs for startups. Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger are developing their own tech scenes, focusing on sectors such as marine technology, edtech, and energy innovation, respectively. These cities benefit from local universities and supportive municipal policies.
Support Systems
The Norwegian startup ecosystem benefits from a strong network of incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces. Initiatives like Oslo Science Park and StartupLab provide mentorship, resources, and international exposure, significantly boosting the ecosystem and supporting entrepreneurs at various stages of their journey.
Challenges
Despite its strengths, the Norwegian startup ecosystem faces challenges such as high living costs and a relatively small domestic market. These factors can limit the scalability of startups and increase operational expenses, making it essential for entrepreneurs to seek international markets early on.
Opportunities and Future Outlook
Norway is making significant strides in innovation and entrepreneurship, with substantial growth opportunities driven by continuous investment and technological advancement. The country's strategic location in Northern Europe and its strong focus on sustainability provide startups with ample opportunities for international expansion.
Resilience and Adaptability
Norwegian startups are known for their resilience and adaptability, leveraging the country's robust infrastructure and pro-business policies. The emphasis on sustainability and green technology positions Norway as a leader in environmental innovation, attracting global attention and investment.
How to connect with Angel Investors in Norway?
Overview
Norway's startup ecosystem is vibrant and rapidly growing, with significant contributions from top angel investors and leading venture capital firms. These investors provide crucial support through funding, mentorship, and resources, playing a pivotal role in nurturing early-stage startups and driving innovation across various sectors such as fintech, healthtech, and cleantech.
Top Angel Investors
Angel investors in Norway are instrumental in the early stages of startup development. Prominent figures include Arne Fredly, a veteran investor with interests in fintech and green technology, and Rolf Hansen, known for his investments in tech startups. These angels often provide seed funding and valuable industry connections, helping startups to establish themselves and gain traction in the market.
Leading Venture Capital Firms
Norway boasts several leading venture capital firms that play a critical role in scaling startups. Notable firms include Northzone, Alliance Venture, and ProVenture. Northzone, for instance, has a diverse portfolio and a strong track record of investments in high-growth tech companies. These firms typically invest in Series A and beyond, providing the capital needed for expansion and development.
Investment Size and Scope
The investment size in Norway varies significantly depending on the stage of the startup. Angel investors typically invest between €50,000 and €500,000 in early-stage ventures. Venture capital firms, on the other hand, can invest several million euros in later-stage startups. In 2022, Norwegian startups raised approximately €1 billion in venture capital, highlighting the substantial investment activity in the ecosystem.
Number of Investments
In recent years, the number of investments in Norwegian startups has been steadily increasing. In 2022 alone, there were hundreds of funding rounds, with a mix of seed, Series A, and later-stage investments. This growing number of investments reflects the increasing confidence in Norway's startup ecosystem and its potential for innovation and growth.
Future Outlook of the Investment Market
The future outlook for Norway's investment market is promising. With continuous support from the government and a robust network of investors, the startup ecosystem is expected to grow further. Emerging sectors like renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology are likely to attract significant investments, driving the next wave of innovation and economic growth in Norway.
Support and Mentorship
Support and mentorship are integral to the success of startups in Norway. Investors often provide more than just capital; they offer strategic guidance, industry expertise, and access to a broad network of contacts. Initiatives like Innovation Norway and the Research Council of Norway also play a vital role in providing structured mentorship programs and resources to help startups navigate challenges and scale effectively.
Additional Sections
Government Initiatives
The Norwegian government has launched several initiatives to bolster the startup ecosystem. Programs like Startup Norway and the Norwegian Microfinance Initiative (NMI) provide critical support, including grants, loans, and business development services to entrepreneurs and startups.
International Expansion
Norwegian startups are increasingly looking beyond domestic markets for growth. With Norway's strategic location in Europe and strong trade relationships, startups have ample opportunities for international expansion. Investors often play a crucial role in facilitating this growth by leveraging their global networks and providing insights into foreign markets.
Conclusion
Norway's startup ecosystem is thriving, thanks to the substantial contributions of top angel investors and leading venture capital firms. With a favorable investment climate, robust support systems, and a forward-looking approach to innovation, Norway is well-positioned to continue its trajectory as a significant player in the global startup scene.
Case Studies: Successful Funding Rounds with Angel Investors on Angels Partners
We found 288 Angel Investors in Norway on Angels Partners
Shaun Abrahamson
Investing in PropTech • Hardware (& Manufact...
Los Angeles - California, U.S.A. - Germany - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Icela
Previous Investments
• CrowdTwist:
$20000
• Hades:
$1900000 (Seed Round)
• Radiator Labs:
$2400000 (Seed Round)
• Radiator Labs:
$300000 (Pre Seed Round)
• Radiator Labs:
$220000 (Pre Seed Round)
• Arbor:
$2600000 (Seed Round)
• ChargeLab:
$15000000 (Series A)
• ChargeLab:
$4000000 (Seed)
• ChargeLab:
$1000000 (Pre Seed)
• Covetool:
$30000000 (Series B)
• Covetool:
$800000 (Seed)
• Electric Visionary Aircrafts:
(Convertible Note)
• Electric Visionary Aircrafts:
(Seed)
• HAAS Alert:
$5000000 (Seed)
• HAAS Alert:
$1000000 (Seed)
• Partsimony:
$2000000 (Seed)
• Oonee:
(Pre Seed)
• Pallon (fka Hades):
$2000000 (Seed)
• Aquagenuity:
(Pre Seed)
• FIRMUS:
(Pre Seed)
• FIRMUS:
(Convertible Note)
• Metalmark Innovations:
(Pre Seed)
• CoInspect:
$150000 (Seed)
• CoInspect:
$2000000 (Seed)
• Hubbster:
(Seed)
• Evolve Energy:
(Pre Seed)
• Kift:
(Convertible Note)
• Food for All:
$700000 (Seed)
• Flair:
$810000 (Seed)
• Flair:
$300000 (Convertible Note)
• Flair:
$230000 (Convertible Note)
• Flair:
$330000 (Seed)
• Flair:
$130000 (Convertible Note)
• GreenQ:
(Convertible Note)
• Thrilling:
(Angel)
• RoadBotics by Michelin:
$4000000 (Seed)
• RoadBotics by Michelin:
(Seed)
• Coord:
$5000000 (Series A)
• Blueprint Power:
$4000000 (Series A)
• Miles:
$4000000 (Seed)
• Rentlogic:
$2000000 (Seed)
• Rentlogic:
(Series Unknown)
• Campsyte:
$100000 (Seed)
• VERSATILE:
$1000000 (Seed)
• Bowery Farming:
$8000000 (Seed)
• Citymart:
$750000 (Seed)
• Citymart:
(Seed)
• Kelvin:
$2000000 (Seed)
• Kelvin:
$300000 (Pre Seed)
• Kelvin:
$220000 (Pre Seed)
• BlocPower:
$200000 (Pre Seed)
• BlocPower:
$600000 (Pre Seed)
• Rachio:
$7000000 (Series A)
• Rachio:
$500000 (Convertible Note)
• Rachio:
$700000 (Convertible Note)
• Future Motion:
(Series A)
• Architizer:
(Series A)
• Architizer:
(Convertible Note)
• Mark43:
$11000000 (Series A)
• LogCheck:
(Seed)
• Valet Anywhere (VA):
$1000000 (Seed)
• Valet Anywhere (VA):
(Convertible Note)
• Revivn:
(Seed)
• BRCK:
$1000000 (Seed)
• BikeSpike:
(Convertible Note)
• Skycatch:
$3000000 (Convertible Note)
• Dash:
$1000000 (Seed)
• KIWI:
(Convertible Note)
Shaun Abrahamson
Los Angeles - California, U.S.A. - Germany - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Icela
Investing In
PropTech • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • Robotics • Real Estate (& Construction) • DeepTech • Mobility • Woman Focused
Description
Most Interested In
We're interested in teams re-imagining cities in 3 areas - GHG reduction, climate adaptation and solving problems associated with high density (like traffic or public safety).
Cities are complex, so founders continue inspire and amaze us by identifying new systemic issues and solutions. If you're re-imagining city life, we'd love to hear from you.
Not Interested In
We don't invest in edtech or healthtech. Certainly not a vote on whether we want to see these categories succeed, we just think they need additional focus/skills which we don't have. That said public health is a growing area of interesting.
Shaun Abrahamson is a Founder and serves as Managing Partner at Urban Us. Shaun is a Member of the Investment Committee, and he leads investment selection and communications with portfolio companies, members of the Network, and limited partners in Fund II. Before founding Fund I, Shaun was an active angel investor, investing in more than 20 firms between 2007 and 2013 in his personal capacity. Early-stage investing and advising is informed by his experiences building MediaSentry (acquired by SafeNet in 2005), Starmedia Network (acquired by France Telecom) and Oculus Technologies (MIT CADLab spin-out). In 1999, he was an early employee at govWorks, one of the earliest startups focused on serving local government. govWorks was ahead of the market and failed during the dot-com bust, becoming the subject of the documentary Startup.com in 2001. Shaun has written for organizations such as The Economist Intelligence Unit, The Huffington Post, and CNNMoney. Crowdstorm, published by Wiley, was his first book and is a guide to working with large online crowds to find and evaluate ideas. The book is based on Shaun's experience working with Starbucks, Omnicom Group, $300 House, and Life Edited. Shaun has an MSc from MIT; an MBA from the Berlin School of Creative Leadership; and a BSc from the University of Cape Town. He is also an Angel Investor.
Marek Olszewski
Investing in Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) &b...
San Francisco Bay Area, Germany - U.S.A. - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Icela
Previous Investments
• CodeFights:
$2500000 (Seed Round)
• Capsule Wallets:
(Seed)
• Remox:
(Pre Seed)
• Numoen:
$1000000 (Seed)
• CyberBox:
$150000 (Seed)
• impactMarket:
$2000000 (Seed)
• Paychant:
$400000 (Pre Seed)
• Ari Swap:
$700000 (Pre Seed)
• Payourse:
$600000 (Pre Seed)
• Coinprofile:
$600000 (Pre Seed)
• Netra:
$500000 (Convertible Note)
• CodeSignal:
$3000000 (Seed)
• Accion Systems:
$2000000 (Seed)
Marek Olszewski
San Francisco Bay Area, Germany - U.S.A. - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Icela
Dr. Marek Olszewski is a Co-Founder of Celo. He is a Co-Founder and served as the Chief Technology Officer at Locu. Prior to Locu, Marek was a senior PhD candidate at MIT CSAIL. He is a Facebook Fellow and the recipient of the J. Edgar McAllister Fellowship. He has prior work experience at a number of technology companies including Google, Microsoft (Research) and Sun (Labs). He is also an angel investor.
: Germany France Italy Spain Poland Romania Netherlands Belgium Czech Republic Greece Portugal Sweden Hungary Austria Switzerland Denmark Finland Slovakia Norway Ireland Luxembourg Malta Iceland Monaco, U.S.A.
I am a Norwegian entrepreneur and investor. I have started a few companies working with technology and communication. I`m active in the impact investment field.
Rodrigo Sepulveda
Investing in Advertising • Productivity
San Francisco Bay Area, U.S.A. - France - Luxembourg - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg,
Previous Investments
• Culture Secrets:
(Seed Round)
• Demenager Facile:
(Seed Round)
• Holberton School:
$2000000 (Seed Round)
• RecargaPay:
(Convertible Note)
• Dott:
$100000000 (Series B)
• Dott:
$34000000 (Series A)
• Wizata:
$3000000 (Series A)
• Wizata:
$2000000 (Seed)
• Nannybag:
$2000000 (Seed)
• Nannybag:
(Convertible Note)
• Wefarm:
$13000000 (Series A)
• Smartrenting:
(Series A)
• Spire Global:
$40000000 (Series D)
• Spire Global:
$70000000 (Series C)
• Service:
(Convertible Note)
• Verse:
$5000000 (Series Unknown)
• OpenExo:
(Convertible Note)
• Pliops:
$30000000 (Series B)
• Salonkee:
$1000000 (Seed)
• Passbolt:
$530000 (Seed)
• Glose:
$3000000 (Series Unknown)
• Catalyte:
$27000000 (Series A)
• Tribe:
$3000000 (Seed)
• Tribe:
$3000000 (Seed)
• Tribe:
$500000 (Seed)
• Nektria:
$2000000 (Series A)
• itravel:
$2000000 (Series A)
• Attach:
(Seed)
• Boostable:
(Seed)
• Allmyapps:
(Series A)
• Manifest:
(Seed)
• Getaround:
$3000000 (Seed)
• amiando:
(Seed)
• Wavestorm:
(Seed)
Rodrigo Sepulveda
San Francisco Bay Area, U.S.A. - France - Luxembourg - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg,
Investing In
Advertising • Productivity
Description
Most Interested In
Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Infrastructure, SpaceTech, DeepTech, AI, ML
Not Interested In
FinTech, AdTech, Ecommerce, CleanTech, BioTech
CEO at @sepulveda-capital. Managing Parter Expon Capital. Serial entrepreneur (5 founded, 3 sold). Invested in North America (CA, NY, FL), Europe (FR, DE, CH).
Michael Klein
Investing in HealthTech (& Fitness) • Medica...
San Francisco Bay Are..., U.S.A. - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland, Monaco
Michael Klein
San Francisco Bay Area - California, U.S.A. - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland, Monaco
Christian Rokseth is the Founder of Alvero and serves as its Chairman. He holds a Master of Science in Electronic Engineering from the University of Stavanger and a Bachelor with Honours from NTNU.
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