Launching the Nordic Edge Innovation Lab

Nordic Edge have joined forces with Microsoft, Smedvig, Stavanger Municipality, Sparebank1 SR-Bank, Lyse and Tieto to boost Smart City solutions into the international market by establishing The Nordic Edge Innovation Lab.

The innovation lab will bring together a wide range of initiatives, actors and programs as well as new services, solutions and technologies. All with the goal to accelerate the creation of smarter and more sustainable societies centered around its citizens. Smart and sustainable technology will integrate service areas, technology and data sources, and use this in a way that makes the city manageable, safe, efficient, open and inclusive for everyone living there.

“The operation of the Innovation Lab is currently funded in the excess of NOK 20 million. In addition, considerable investor capital will be present at the lab ready to invest in the most promising start-ups. This gives us the opportunity to boost companies that offer smart and sustainable solutions into an international market place,” says Karl Fjelde Nevland, Manager of Nordic Edge Innovation Lab.

Nordic Edge Innovation Lab will be among Europe’s largest innovation networks for smarter cities and communities, and consist of flexible offices, prototyping labs and a dedicated event area. The development of smart cities places great demands on interdisciplinarity, coordination and collaboration across sectors.

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International Collaboration

Microsoft is one of the companies joining and empowering the innovation lab. The technology giant is building a data center in the Stavanger region as part of its global expansion and since 2016 has been a strategic partner of Nordic Edge. Microsoft is now taking the step forward to become one of the initiators of the Nordic Edge Innovation Lab.

“Our future challenges are solved by co-innovation in the intersection between different disciplines. By unifying a pulsating and sustainable Smart City ecosystem, and making available the latest technology from Microsoft, we were able to initiate a spark for innovation and creativity. I am convinced that we can see problems with new solutions and new business opportunities from established companies and start-ups that can help solve societal challenges – for a global market, says Shahzad Rana, CTO / NTO of Microsoft Norway.

The new innovation lab will open its doors in January 2020 in Stavanger. Please contact karl@nordicedge.org if you want to be a part of the Nordic Edge Innovation Lab.