
Trondheim Clusters & Alliances
A city of strong knowledge clusters and research centres:
THE TRONDHEIM REGION IS SUBJECT TO SEVERAL STRONG KNOWLEDGE CLUSTERS, COLLABORATIONS AND ALLIANCES.

Ocean Autonomy
Ocean Autonomy Cluster
TRONDHEIM: NORWAY’S LEADING HUB FOR EXPERTISE ON OCEAN AUTONOMY.
Consisting of both companies and R&D institutions, the Ocean Autonomy cluster combines research and technological development, suppliers of technology, components and systems, as well as forward-leaning investors. Through cooperation, the cluster’s participants pursue safer, more efficient and precise operations at sea, contributing to a more sustainable use of the world’s oceans.
Norway has a proud history of innovations and achievements at sea and has been a major player on the world’s oceans for more than 200 years.
Today, Norway is the global center for innovation and development of autonomous ocean technologies and solutions. Cutting-edge research, innovative companies and a rapidly growing marked for autonomous solutions, all provide unique business opportunities for applications in the ocean space.
The Ocean Autonomy Cluster seeks to utilize these opportunities through combining the experience from Norway’s maritime and offshore industry, developers, suppliers and award-winning R&D institutions. The main goal of the Ocean Autonomy Cluster is to strengthen Norway’s global leadership role in the development and commercialization of future autonomous ocean technologies and solutions.
Autonomy is still in its early stages of development. New laws and regulations will emerge, with testing, verification and commercialization of different technologies and systems becoming even more crucial.
The Ocean Autonomy Cluster’s center of gravity is the Trøndelag region. The cluster is based in Trondheim, Norway’s technology capital and home to several of the world’s leading autonomy companies. In 2016, the Trondheim Fjord (Trondheimsfjorden) became the world’s first test site for autonomous ocean vessels.
Contact
CLUSTER MANAGER
Frode Halvorsen
+47 91 84 59 69
SENIOR ADVISOR
Marianne Brøttem
+47 47 91 06 99
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR
Marius Tvinnereim
+47 93 09 99 53
ADVISOR
Ingrid M. Sandnes
+47 936 15 103

Aquatech
The NCE Aquatech Cluster
ONE OF THE LARGEST AQUACULTURE CLUSTERS GLOBALLY.
It has more than 100 partners representing approximately 15.500 employees worldwide and an annual turnover of 47,5 billion NOK (2015). It represents supplier industry (80 %), large fish farmers, fish processing industry and institutions for technology based research and education.
The Mission of the Aquatech Cluster:
- Provide technology for a sustainable growth in aquaculture food production worldwide
- Establish the Norwegian aquaculture supplier industry as one of Norway’s top export industries
- Enable a fourfold sustainable growth in the Norwegian aquaculture production by 2050
Main Goal:
Increase value creation in the Norwegian aquaculture supplier industry
Contact
SENIOR ADVISOR
Kristian Henriksen
+47 977 82 087
CEO
Bjørn Damhaug
+47 988 64 444

Technology
Tequity Technology Cluster
AN ECOSYSTEM FOR THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF TECHNOLOGY
Tequity Cluster’s overall vision is to become a leading Nordic ecosystem for the commercialization of technology. The company’s overall goal is to contribute to increased value creation from technology-based growth companies through active ownership.
Tequity also works actively to:
- Contribute to more early-stage commercialization with greater numbers and higher quality in dealflow
- Stimulate co-investments and increased access to venture capital for the development of technology companies
- Develop expertise and tools for commercialization and internationalization
- Strengthen access to markets and customers.
Active ownership is important in commercialization and business development, and increases the likelihood of success. Investment companies, angel investors, technology companies and R&D players are core players in the Tequity Cluster. The cluster members have an investment capital in the order of NOK 21 billion, have a portfolio of 200 companies and each year around 600 investment opportunities are assessed. Furthermore, important service providers and facilitators participate in the cluster. In total, Tequity Cluster has over 60 members. There are no other regions in Norway that have a similar number of players, activity level and competence in commercialization of technology based on active ownership, and equally widespread dynamics and tradition of collaboration. Through Tequity Cluster, the participants will contribute to more and larger international technology companies, increased value creation and renewal and restructuring in Norwegian business and industry.
Contact
GENERAL MANAGER
Espen Gressetvold
+47 958 72 969
PROJECT MANAGER
Christian Haugen
+47 482 39 948

Renewable Energy
RENERGY – The Renewable Energy Cluster
The Renewable Energy Cluster is a facilitator of high-value cooperation between parties. They accelerate the sustainable transition to a future built on renewable energy and clean technology by developing innovation projects and new energy business models, and bringing members closer to markets, customers and peers.
The cluster works to develop energy systems, value chains and business opportunities by uniting participants with complementary roles for cooperation based development.
More than 90 companies and organizations participate in the cluster, representing a complete value chain in the field of renewable energy; energy companies, technology suppliers, expertise communities and end-users.
The cluster aims to stimulate sustainable value creation and low carbon transition by promoting innovation, increased production and efficient use of renewable energy and associated technologies.
Contact
CLUSTER MANAGER
Ole Svendgård
+47 913 83 159
PROJECT MANAGER
Thomas Bjørdal
+47 958 93 289

Defense & Security
MIDSEC Defense & Security Cluster
The Mid-Norway Defence and security Cluster MIDSEC is a cluster devoted to developing business opportunities and promoting innovative solutions within the defense and security industry.
MIDSEC´s member companies delivering advanced technology, high quality industrial products and sustainable solutions to civil and defense industries nationally and internationally.
MIDSEC asserts solid expertise on autonomy, maintenance, logistics, monitoring systems and international industrial cooperation, among others.
Kontakt
CLUSTER MANAGER
Bjørn Damhaug
+47 98 86 44 44