Four Rogaland-based initiatives join the Norwegian Innovation Clusters programme

Photo: Nordic Edge

Four Rogaland-based initiatives join the Norwegian Innovation Clusters programme

Four innovation initiatives from Rogaland have been accepted into the Norwegian Innovation Clusters (NIC) programme – the national initiative jointly operated by Innovation Norway, Siva and the Research Council of Norway to strengthen Norwegian competitiveness through collaboration and innovation.

The new clusters from Rogaland are Norwegian Additive Manufacturing Cluster, Nordic Edge Smart City Innovation Cluster, Nordic Edge Agritech Cluster, and Norwegian Travel Cluster.

Together, they illustrate the strength and diversity of Rogaland’s business landscape, spanning from advanced manufacturing and smart cities to agritech and sustainable tourism.

“This is very positive news and demonstrates the strength and diversity of Rogaland’s business community,” says Mette Fossan, Director of Regional Transition at Rogaland County Council. “We look forward to close collaboration with the new clusters. They will complement our existing cluster landscape and further strengthen Rogaland’s position as an innovative and competitive region.”

Mette Fossan, Director of Regional Transition at Rogaland County Council

The new Rogaland clusters

Norwegian Additive Manufacturing Cluster
The Norwegian Additive Manufacturing Cluster unites industrial and research partners working to advance 3D printing and next-generation manufacturing. The cluster’s goal is to strengthen innovation, develop competitive value chains, and position Norwegian additive manufacturing solutions in global markets. Its main focus areas include oil and gas, maritime, defence, construction and health sectors.

Nordic Edge Smart City Innovation Cluster
Nordic Edge has been part of Norway’s national cluster programme since 2017 and is now upgraded to NIC Impact – the highest level within the Norwegian Innovation Clusters framework. The cluster brings together companies, municipalities and research institutions to accelerate sustainable urban transformation and create market opportunities for Norwegian smart city and green technology solutions.

“For us, this recognition is not just an acknowledgement – it’s a mandate to accelerate,” says Trygve A. Meyer, Head of Nordic Edge Smart City Innovation Cluster. “Collaboration between business, public sector and academia creates real value, and now we have the resources to help more companies scale their solutions internationally.”

Nordic Edge Agritech Cluster
Nordic Edge Agritech Cluster (NEAIC) has been admitted at the NIC Connect level. The cluster links technology, agriculture, research and public partners to promote digital and sustainable food production. Building on its roots in Rogaland’s strong agri-food sector, the cluster aims to develop and test data-driven, resource-efficient and climate-smart agricultural solutions.

“The trust placed in us by Innovation Norway, Siva and the Research Council gives us more momentum,” says Gunnar Edwin Crawford, Head of Nordic Edge Agritech Cluster. “The cluster status means we can help more companies build partnerships, attract capital and take Norwegian agritech solutions to global markets.”

Norwegian Travel Cluster
With Næringshagen i Ryfylke as regional lead, the Norwegian Travel Cluster will be coordinated from Rogaland under the leadership of Anita Svendheim. The cluster unites destinations and tourism companies across Norway with a shared ambition to develop sustainable, profitable and future-oriented tourism. From its base in Ryfylke, the cluster will build competence and collaboration around innovation, digitalisation and sustainability in the travel sector.

“We are proud of the trust placed in us and look forward to leading a national initiative from Ryfylke,” says Anita Svendheim, Head of the Norwegian Travel Cluster. “The cluster will strengthen cooperation across the country and position Norwegian tourism for a more sustainable future.”

Gunnar Crawford, Head of Nordic Edge Agritech Cluster. Copyright: Nordic Edge

About the Norwegian Innovation Clusters programme

The Norwegian Innovation Clusters (NIC) programme aims to strengthen value creation and competitiveness in Norwegian business and industry through collaboration-based innovation. Operated by Innovation Norway in cooperation with Siva and the Research Council, the programme offers financial support, competence development, networks and risk mitigation for collaborative development projects that would not have taken place to the same extent without public support.

NIC comprises three levels – Connect, Explore and Impact – tailored to the maturity of each cluster. Each level has a three-year duration, with a maximum participation period of ten years.

“Clusters build the collaboration and competence that Norwegian industry depends on,” said Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth in the official announcement. “They create arenas of trust between companies, academia and investors – something we need to strengthen Norway’s competitiveness in a world facing major geopolitical changes, high energy costs and growing global competition.”