nordic-edge-expo-2024

Welcome to Nordic Edge Expo, Silje

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:22:17 GMT

“I can’t wait to dance with Gunnar and Andreas! I’m also really excited about the hike, the sauna in Stavanger, and getting to know talented people from different industries and organizations attending Expo,” says Silje Øksnes Kolås.

She is a business developer and project manager for AgriFoodTech Norway at Tlab, one of the partners in our Agritech cluster.

Nordic Edge Expo has both a professional and a social dimension, or rather, many dimensions. Silje, who is especially enthusiastic about things like training and sauna sessions, is excited about the full experience.

“It’s so important to meet and connect. All good forces need to stand together right now. At AgriFoodTech Norway, we work with tech companies across the food production value chain. Our goal is to make it easier for entrepreneurs to build and scale their companies from Norway, using it as a springboard to the global market. This is also about our national resilience, where food security and preparedness are absolutely essential. In addition, the government’s very first agritech strategy will be launched this autumn*. We’re living in an incredibly exciting time!”

We’re also looking forward to the dancing, the conversations, the discussions, the hike, the sauna—and much more. Silje, welcome!

*In May 2025, the Norwegian Parliament asked the government to develop a dedicated, comprehensive strategy specifically for agritech/food technology. Many see this as the starting point for a unified agritech ecosystem in Norway—and we’re all for it!

Welcome to Nordic Edge Expo, Helene Gram!

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:47:44 GMT

You and I are facing a major challenge. We need to change a LOT about how we live in order to meet our climate targets. That’s why Helene Gram is coming to Nordic Edge Expo.

“Stavanger is one of 112 cities in Europe that have committed to becoming climate neutral by 2030. It’s highly ambitious, and we are far behind schedule. That’s why we need to talk and act, public sector, business, research communities, and other key stakeholders,” says Helene Gram, who is the Program Lead for the Mission City initiative in Stavanger municipality.

“For me, Expo is a place to stay updated on new, cutting-edge knowledge. It’s a place to meet new, talented people. And it’s especially exciting that the Director of Net Zero Cities, Thomas Osdoba, will be there!”

The EU requires cities participating in the Mission Climate-neutral and Smarter Cities, to aim for at least an 80 percent reduction in their own emissions by 2030. Stavanger joined the initiative in 2022.

Welcome to Expo, Helene, we’re looking forward to discussing both big and small climate challenges with you. Because we truly believe there is hope in action!

Welcome to Nordic Edge Expo, Faunus Hub!

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:15:36 GMT

She gives you full control over your chickens! Sounds like a bold claim, maybe even a strange one, but it’s absolutely true. Pia Gjertsen Prestmo is a veterinarian who spotted an opportunity and decided to act on it.

“I saw that there are huge differences in profitability and efficiency among chicken producers. Why is that? On one hand, I saw that farmers are doing an incredible job ensuring animal health. The over all health is very good. At the same time, there are major differences in how well farmers perform financially. That’s something Faunus Hub aims to address, and we will do it with animal welfare at the forefront,” Prestmo explains.

Faunus Hub develops a digital tool that gives farmers a complete overview of their production. The company is part of Nordic Edge’s agritech cluster, and you can meet these agritech entrepreneurs at the Nordic Edge Expo this May.

Welcome!

What happens when Europe’s climate ambition meets the realities of city leadership?

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:04:22 GMT

For Europe’s Mission Cities, the era of ambition is over. It is one thing to announce a climate target. It is another to reorganise around it.

At a pre-Expo event in Stavanger, European and local voices confronted the question facing cities across the continent: how do you turn climate ambition into actual delivery?

Hosted by Nordic Edge, the University of Stavanger and the SUNSET project, the event opened a broader conversation about hope in action through the lens of the EU Missions. But the evening quickly centred on a more specific challenge: whether cities are truly equipped to lead the transition they have committed to.

Bringing the European gaze to Stavanger

Joining the conversation from Helsinki, Markku Markkula brought a distinctly European perspective into the room. As a Finnish politician and First Vice-President of the European Committee of the Regions, he brought both political experience and a long-term view of how cities and regions can drive transformation.

There was no need to explain why Markkula mattered. As he spoke, phones came up to capture his slides, and a room full of researchers, founders, city officials and academics fell noticeably still.

His message returned to a few recurring themes: collaboration, mindset, societal innovation and the need for stronger place-based innovation ecosystems.

From implementers to orchestrators

One of the evening’s key messages was that cities should not think of themselves primarily as implementers. They must act as orchestrators and facilitators — bringing the right people, knowledge and institutions together to make change possible.

That idea carried into the panel discussion featuring Helene Gram from the City of Stavanger, Niki Frantzeskaki from Utrecht University, Taina Tukiainen from the University of Vaasa and Markku Markkula, moderated by Marte Cecilie Wilhelmsen Solheim.

The conversation pointed to what cities may need to meet the challenge: stronger ecosystems, closer collaboration and a broader understanding of innovation as something built between institutions — not within them.

Frantzeskaki emphasised that cities are where innovation happens, and that they have the power to act as frontrunners. Innovation, she noted, takes many forms. Sometimes, it is about creating new connections.

This is exactly the kind of conversation we look forward to continuing at Nordic Edge Expo 2026. Welcome!

Our perspective is Nordic

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:30:31 GMT

“We want to develop new, relevant services—both for our customers and for us as a company. Our perspective is Nordic. That’s why we’re looking forward to Nordic Edge Expo their challenges and proposed solutions,” says Isabella McNeill Benestad.

The insurance company is a main partner for the Nordic Edge Expo business opportunities in the Nordic market at If Insurance.

“The Expo is a great opportunity to show what we do and to talk about the solutions that exist. It’s also a good chance to discuss the challenges we will face going forward—for example, the connections between climate, measures to prevent damage, and insurance payouts,” explains Isabella McNeill Benestad.

We look forward to hearing about the topics you plan to discuss at the meeting place in Stavanger in May, Isabella.

Welcome!

High-impact topics that shape our news agenda every single day

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 11:42:31 GMT

Hilde Sandvik is a former editor, has founded her own company, and has led hundreds of conversations and debates across the Nordics. At the Nordic Edge Expo in May, she will be the Master of ceremonies.

“In Europe, we are increasingly seen as oil- and gas-rich, selfish, and self-absorbed. Just think about the enormous revenues we have generated from gas as a result of the war in Ukraine. The recent rounds involving Epstein have not made us appear more moral in the eyes of other Europeans, who are dealing with very different challenges than we are,” says Hilde Sandvik.

“Almost all major conflicts in the world today are conflicts between neighbors! That makes it deeply concerning that we have top politicians who believe that little Norway, on the outskirts of Europe, can manage on its own. Norway’s reputation is not as strong as Norwegians think. It is now more important than ever that we stand together!”

She is passionate about developing a new, shared Nordic public sphere. A former editor at Bergens Tidende, Hilde Sandvik founded her own company ten years ago to do exactly that. Since then, she has led hundreds of conversations and debates across the Nordics, launched the podcast Norsken, svensken og dansken, and continues to championer discussions at the intersection of politics, culture, and society.

“2016 was before COVID-19. Before the invasion of Ukraine. Before Trump. My belief that we absolutely need to build new alliances is no weaker than it was ten years ago—if anything, it’s stronger,” says Hilde Sandvik, who will be the Master of Ceremonies when we gather for the Nordic Edge Expo 2026 in May.

“In recent years, I’ve become increasingly aware of who I am. I am from Western Norway, Norwegian, Scandinavian, and European—in that order. The world is becoming more fragmented. Security policy has fundamentally changed. War is no longer a distant possibility. That makes it more important than ever to know who your friends are. That’s why we must meet, talk, and stand together. But most importantly, words must turn into action. We must act,” says Hilde Sandvik.

We can’t wait to see you the Nordic Edge Expo!

“We need to meet physically to succeed digitally!”

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:48:06 GMT

Yes, it may sound like a contradiction, but Lisbeth Kjøpstad Sørgård truly believes it. She is the Project Manager for EDIH Oceanopolis at Nordic Edge, has co-founded tech companies, and brings solid international experience at the intersection of technology, business development, and marketing.

Now, she is looking forward to meeting talented people who believe in “Hope in action” at Nordic Edge Expo, where EDIH is a partner.

“For us, it’s all about succeeding with digitalisation and transformation. Many believe we are digitally mature because we have high adoption rates of 5G, fiber, Vipps, and various solutions. Businesses and organisations still have a long way to go. We chose to become partners to help shape the Expo in Stavanger. We will showcase what we can do and what we can offer SMEs in Norway to build digital competitiveness,” says Lisbeth Kjøpstad Sørgård.

“Digitalisation is not about technological solutions themselves. They are often strong and continuously improving. What matters now is our ability and willingness to change. Those who are most willing achieve the most. Also, when it comes to successfully adopting digital services and infrastructure.”

If you’re in any doubt: there will be a solid dose of digitalisation at Nordic Edge Expo 2026 – as expected! Lisbeth Kjøpstad Sørgård and EDIH Oceanopolis will make sure of that.

Welcome!

Why floating cities is a part of resilience

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 09:23:48 GMT

Limited space, rising housing prices, sea-level rise, and several other factors are making floating urban development relevant in many parts of the world. Arnoud Molenaar will tell us more about this topic in May!

One of those places is Rotterdam in the Netherlands, a city Arnoud Molenaar knows inside out. He is joining us at the Nordic Edge Expo to share experiences from Rotterdam and insights into what is happening in floating urban development.

"Resilience is more important than ever, and it’s great to join a cross-sector gathering to exchange ideas on how to deal with uncertainties while identifying opportunities at the same time."

"Our theme is “Hope in Action”. What do you associate with it?"

"I strongly believe that challenges always bring new opportunities. “Hope in Action” resonates with this approach, and I look forward to seeing you in May!"

Welcome to Nordic Edge Expo, Arnoud Molenaar!

Take a look at some of the floating projects currently being planned and built:

High-impact topics that shape our news agenda every single day

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 08:51:23 GMT

Welcome to the Nordic Edge Expo, Louise Kathrine Dedichen! She is the first woman in Norway to be appointed admiral/general. Her career in defence and security policy is impressive. Being one of the country’s most prominent military leaders.

“It’s not Trump who poses the greatest danger to Norway. It’s Putin! Above all, we must pay close attention to what Russia does and thinks. Their mindset, movements, and diversion tactics are what matter most to us. Trump can, bluntly put, carry on as he pleases as far as Norway is concerned, because geography hasn’t changed. The largest arsenal of nuclear weapons in the world belongs to one of our closest neighbors – Russia.”

Now Vice Admiral Louise Kathrine Dedichen is joining us. In recent years, she has worked as a strategic advisor and is among the country’s leading voices in understanding and explaining what is happening now, as tensions seem to be boiling over across the globe.

For Norway, the Russian bear plays the leading role. Not Trump’s somewhat erratic United States.

“Russia is at war with the West. The overarching goal is to destabilize our trust-based society. Putin’s ultimate ambition is for NATO to collapse. Russia seeks division and we must prevent that,” says Louise Kathrine Dedichen.

We look forward to hearing you on our stage, Louise K. Dedichen, on the high-impact issues shaping the headlines every single day.

Welcome!

How Stockholm turned collaboration into a competitive advantage

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 08:17:57 GMT

How do you build a city and an organisation that is prepared for the unexpected? Karin Ekdahl Wästberg knows – and she’s coming to the Nordic Edge Expo 2026 to share her insights with us!

For more than a decade, Stockholm has made innovation more than just a project. It has become a culture, a way of working, and a strategic capability. By systematically fostering collaboration between the city, industry, and academia, Stockholm has developed an innovation management capacity that strengthens the city’s resilience and its ability to act in times of rapid change.

“Cities are not only where challenges appear first. They are also the best arenas for turning ideas into real impact. This is where hope becomes action, when collaboration turns into solutions that actually work. I look forward to the Nordic Edge Expo in Stavanger, where we can meet and collaborate across organisational boundaries,” says Karin Ekdahl Wästberg.

We’re looking forward to it too. Welcome, Karin!

Welcome to Nordic Edge Expo, Einar Vastveit!

Andreas@nordicedge.org (Andreas Amdal Østrem) — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 07:17:35 GMT

Welcome to Nordic Edge Expo, Einar Vastveit! He is tackling one of the major climate challenges of our time, the 31-year-old from Finnøy – and has a NOK 22 million innovation project in the business sector, with support from the Research Council of Norway, to carry out industrial research on carbon farming.

Carbon farming?!?

– Agrosense aims to help farmers store carbon in the soil – and document the storage. It is said that nearly 80 percent of agricultural land in Europe is depleted. We need to address this with a clear focus on soil health. When we manage to rebuild the soil, we have enormous opportunities to store carbon in a sustainable way, explains Vastveit, who established the company in 2019.

This is also the first year he participated at Nordic Edge Expo.

– It is important for me to meet people from different industries, both in Norway and across Europe. I myself spend a lot of time in Brussels and am working towards participation in Horizon Europe Cluster 6 and EIC Accelerator. My goal for attending Nordic Edge Expo 2026 is to meet people I already know, get to know new ones, but also gain inspiration. You cannot achieve innovation, new jobs and sustainable value creation alone. We must meet, get to know each other and collaborate, says Einar Vastveit.

We are proud that you are a member with us at Nordic Edge, Einar, and we look forward to seeing you at the Expo in May!

Welcome to Nordic Edge Expo, Sara Rakstang!

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 09:43:52 GMT

Please give a warm welcome to Sara Rakstang from Repass! She will attend the Nordic Edge Expo in May – and she’s bringing a VERY smart solution in her suitcase. But first:

Where do the products you use every day actually come from?

An iPhone can consist of over 2,000 individual components, according to ChatGPT. That includes every chip, capacitor, resistor, antenna, button, microphone – you get the idea. And that’s where Sara comes into the picture.

"The requirements from authorities are getting tougher and tougher to document where raw materials come from, how and where production has taken place, and similar issues. Our software, which is a plug-in for, for example, the ERP system you already use, fetches data from all your stakeholders. Repass offers a digital product passport so you – and your customer – have full insight into where, for example, clothes, batteries, and furniture are made, what they are made of, and so on", says Sara Rakstang, CEO and founder of Rapasdo AS, the company behind Repass.

Sara is a member of the Smart City cluster at Nordic Edge and she will be at the Nordic Edge Expo in May. We are proud of that!

Learn more about Sara and Repass here

Welcome to Nordic Edge Expo, Devspace!

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:56:02 GMT

“Devspace is an international company, and we appreciate that Nordic Edge has an international dimension. We’re looking forward to meeting familiar faces – and new ones – at the Expo in May!”

That’s according to Alex Somby, founder and CEO of Devspace, which “helps companies realize their visions through a network of skilled developers,” as stated on their website.

Earlier this year Alex attended a major conference in the U.S. What makes a good meeting place for Devspace?

“It depends on the type of meeting place, but in short, it’s about connecting with interesting people who could become customers, colleagues, or partners. We’re focused on making good use of our time and have high expectations for the value we’ll gain from the Nordic Edge Expo,” Somby replies.

Devspace, which currently has around 30 developers from five European countries in its network, is a member of Nordic Edge’s Smart City cluster.

We’re proud of that. Welcome to the Nordic Edge Expo, Devspace!