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, Fine Dining (A7)
- 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: Fine Dining (A7)
The event will take place in Building A, on the 7th floor (A7), in the Fine Dining area. You can get there by taking the lifts next to the spiral staircase. -
Welcome & Setting the Context
Karen Spens, President, BI Norwegian Business School
Thomas Hoholm, Provost, BI Norwegian Business School
Christine Wergeland Sørbye, CEO, Oslo Science City
Øyvind Såtvedt, Head of Business Development, City of Oslo
-
Report Launch: Presentation of report and Key Findings
Jonas Bjarke Jensen, Managing Economist at Copenhagen Economics (Report Author)
Prepared comments on the report:
- Academic perspective: BI Faculty, TBA
- Investor perspective: TBA
-
What now? How to move forward in this context. Perspectives from different parts of the ecosystem.
Entrepreneur & Startup Perspective: TBA
The University’s Role: Jens Petter Berg, Vice-Rector for Life Science and Health research, UiO
The Applied Research Sector: TBA
The Role of the Municipality: TBA
Panel Discussion and Q&A
-
National Regulatory Framework & Support Structures
The Governance Perspective: Representatives from the Ministries (TBA)
The Role of Public Support Structures: TBA
Corporate Involvement & Financial Institutions: TBA
-
Next steps: Driving Action and Engagement
Closing Remarks: Idar Kreutzer, Special Advisor, NHO (Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise)