Published: 18 June 2025
Text: Anne-Marie Korseberg Stokke
Photo: Startuplab
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Summer activity in Oslo Science Park shows that the Norwegian innovation ecosystem is thriving. For Startuplab, the goal is for students to make the most of their summer.
“The most important thing they can focus on is product development—and ideally, talking to customers,” says Incubator Manager Harrshinny Vallipuram to Shifter. “Using the summer to build and develop means they can clearly see the progress from the start to the end of the season. Since much of the business world takes a break in July, it’s harder to get in touch with external partners. That’s why it’s smart to use the time here to focus on product development.”
Startuplab’s popular student incubator program launched five years ago as a summer opportunity for students while universities were closed. The entry requirements are that at least one member of the startup team must be a student, and the project must be within the tech field.
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In addition to 20 incubator companies, Startuplab is hosting eight startups this summer that have received scholarships through the CoCreate program. The initiative is a collaboration between the University of Oslo (UiO), BI Norwegian Business School, OsloMet, Kristiania University College, and NMBU, with support from the City of Oslo.
“This gives students the opportunity to fully dedicate themselves to their startup over the summer,” says Nicolay Bérard-Andersen, Senior Innovation Advisor at UiO Growth House.
The companies participating through CoCreate range from early-stage ideas to more established concepts.
“In environments like Startuplab, it’s okay to try and fail. That might be the most important takeaway: building a culture where failure is accepted. You’re not seen as a loser if things don’t work out. Quite the opposite. You’ve gained experience that you can bring into your next startup,” says Bérard-Andersen.
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After eight years of solid development, Norway Health Tech (NHT) steps out as the owner of the health incubator Aleap. The change marks a natural step in NHT's focus on a national ecosystem for health innovation, while Aleap strengthens its role as a leading incubator in the Nordic region.
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The coffee tables are made of pallets, and there are an above-average number of post-it notes in circulation when a group of students is gathered at Oslo Science Park for some "design thinking". Co-Create is a joint initiative by and for colleges and universities in the Oslo area where students are encouraged to solve real world problems through entrepreneurship and startups.
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One wouldn't think that one's gender impacts your choice to start a company. Nevertheless, according to 2020 data, 89% of all Norwegian companies are started by men, and 99% of all funding goes to male teams*. Despite grim statistics, Investment Partner at Startuplab, Lise Fulland, sees positive trends. But nothing happens on its own.
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