Onwards 2025 has wrapped up in Haugesund, drawing together more than fifteen speakers at Garasjebryggeriet for a day focused on bold visions and «moonshot ideas.” Though much of the discussion stayed on the visionary side, the festival revealed a committed network of individuals and organisations keen to explore how new thinking might move us forward.
A day of moonshot ideas
The event was steeped in a sense of possibility. Each talk built on the premise that if you aim high enough, you might spark the next wave of transformative change. While it was less about immediate how-tos, there was no shortage of ambition: from reimagining business processes to pushing the boundaries of new technologies.
Developing technological intuition
Many speakers emphasised the need for a responsible approach to innovation. Märtha Rehnberg introduced the concept of “technological intuition”: the instinct to explore how emerging technologies intersect with ethics, society, and the environment. She argued that true progress stems from balancing curiosity with a strong moral compass, reminding everyone that innovation is not simply about building new tools, but also about anticipating their consequences.
Innovation patterns from the past
Bill O’Connor provided a historical view through his Innovation Genome Project, which draws on thousands of breakthroughs to show that big ideas are rarely just accidents of genius. By dissecting past successes—from ancient inventions to today’s tech revolutions—O’Connor painted innovation as a repeatable process. He also cautioned against “fake innovation”, focusing on novelty for its own sake rather than long-term value. The crowd’s response was enthusiastic, many inspired to re-examine their own creative processes.
Photo: Grethe Nygård
Local innovators and international voices
Though global speakers shared the stage, local entrepreneurs were no less impactful. Runwell’s founder, Harald Lønning, spoke about streamlining hospitality operations through smart design and, crucially, the power of adapting your message and language to different audiences. From a human-resources perspective, Anette Matre, AutoStore’s chief people officer showed how company culture can fuel rapid global expansion.
A glimpse at 2026
The success of this year’s festival is already paving the way for its next chapter: Onwards 2026 will be held at Møllerfabrikken on Vibrandsøy, an old factory site undergoing transformation into a creative hub. This project blends Haugesund’s industrial heritage with its forward-looking ambitions, creating a place that will bring together entrepreneurs, creators, and curious minds under one roof. Coupled with plans for an autonomous ferry route, the island is poised to become a centre of both cultural inspiration and technical innovation.
Often overshadowed by larger cities, Haugesund has quietly become a testing ground for advanced maritime and subsea initiatives. The world’s first floating wind turbine was developed here, and the Karmsund strait continues to attract research into autonomous vessels. The city’s size seems to encourage a culture of close collaboration and quick access to established networks, making it easier for newcomers to find their footing and for ambitious ideas to take root.
If Onwards 2025 proved anything, it is that Haugesund doesn’t need to shout to be heard. By connecting visionary concepts with a local drive for innovation, the city continues to shape its future—and perhaps the future of Norwegian technology at large. The shift to Møllerfabrikken for Onwards 2026 suggests there is still much to come from this pioneering community on the coast.
Photo: Grethe Nygård