Time for action: Seminar and report launch:
Developing a thriving innovation and venture capital ecosystem in Oslo
Oslo Science City, City of Oslo, University of Oslo and BI Norwegian Business School are pleased to invite you to the launch of the new Copenhagen Economics report ‘Developing a Thriving Innovation and Venture Capital Ecosystem in Oslo’.
- Starts:15:00, 3 March 2026
- Ends:17:00, 3 March 2026
- Location:BI - campus Oslo, A1-030 or online
- Enrolment deadline:3 March 2026
- Contact:Birte M. Horn-Hanssen (birte.m.horn-hanssen@bi.no)
Oslo sits on a goldmine of research-driven innovation yet the path to scaling and commercializing these ideas into profitable businesses requires a more robust venture capital environment with investors, and effective collaboration across sectors.
The seminar marks the official launch of the Copenhagen Economics report, and brings together leading voices from finance, innovation, academia, and government to discuss the findings and develop a path forward for the venture capital landscape in Oslo.
Programme highlights:
- Launch and presentation of the report: Key findings and recommendations from Copenhagen Economics
- Perspectives: Insights from the innovation ecosystem and investors
- The path forward: How science, private sector and government can work together to strengthen the venture capital ecosystem in Oslo and scale Norwegian innovations
The seminar will convene decision-makers from government, academia, industry, and the investment community for an informed and forward-looking discussion.
We hope you will join us for this important launch and conversation.
The majority of the seminar discussions will be in Norwegian, while the report presentation will be in English.
Programme
- Time
- Title
-
Tuesday 3 March 2026
Location: A1-030 or via live stream on Panopto
-
Welcome & setting the context
Karen Spens, President, BI Norwegian Business School
Christine Wergeland Sørbye, CEO, Oslo Science City
Anita North, Vice Mayor, Oslo Municipality
Thomas Hoholm, Provost, BI Norwegian Business School
-
Report launch: Presentation of report and key findings
Jonas Bjarke Jensen, Managing Economist, Copenhagen Economics (Report Author)
Prepared comments on the report:
Academic Perspective: Pengfei Wang, Professor, BI Norwegian Business School
Investor Perspective: Johan H. Andersen, Owner and Chair, Ferd
-
Panel & Discussion: National regulatory framework & support structures
Moderator: Idar Kreutzer, Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO)
The governance perspective: Sverre Thornes, CEO, KLP
Venture capital: Allon Groth, CEO, Norwegian Venture and Private Equity Association
The role of public support structures: Kristianne Paasche, Special Advisor, Innovation Norway
Corporate involvement & financial institutions: Even Westerveld, People & Communication Officer, DNB
-
Panel & Discussion: What now? How to move forward in this context. Perspectives from different parts of the ecosystem.
Moderator: Thomas Hoholm, Provost, BI Norwegian Business School
Entrepreneur & startup perspective: Marie Mostad, CEO, Startuplab
The University’s role: Jens Petter Berg, Vice-Rector for Life Science and Health Research, University of Oslo
The applied research sector: Alexandra Bech Gjørv, CEO, SINTEF
The role of the Municipality: Øyvind Såtvedt, Head of Business Development, City of Oslo
-
Next steps: Driving action and engagement
Closing remarks: Thomas Hoholm, Provost, BI Norwegian Business School