Ignite Takes Its First Step Beyond Sweden with Launch in Norway

The establishment in Norway is enabled by funding from Innovation Norway, awarded to David & Goliath Ventures through a highly competitive national call. The call attracted applications from 65 organisations, of which 13 were selected to deliver new, high-impact innovation initiatives designed to strengthen the Norwegian startup ecosystem.

The expansion builds on the model Ignite Sweden has developed and refined since 2017. To date, this model has enabled more than 8,000 qualified, needs-driven interactions between startups and established organizations, resulting in over 800 concrete business collaborations for startups.

“Over many years, we have seen how a clear, quality-assured model can make a real difference for startups in Sweden. Norway is the first country where we are now taking this model further, in close collaboration with local incubators, with the aim of creating long-term value for startups, established organizations and the innovation ecosystem in both Sweden and Norway,” says Ignite CEO Sara Hamlin.

David & Goliath Ventures has been appointed to lead the establishment and operation of Ignite in Norway.

“We are incredibly grateful for the trust shown by Innovation Norway’s ecosystem initiative, where our project received the highest level of support and was the only one with both a national and Nordic focus. This enables us to support Norwegian startups in securing their first customers locally, regionally and internationally, while giving large companies and public organisations improved access to innovative startup solutions. This is something I have personally missed, both as an entrepreneur and during my ten years leading startup partnerships at Storebrand,” says Gustav Gorecki, CEO of David & Goliath Ventures.

Sara Hamlin highlights David & Goliath Ventures’ deep understanding of the Norwegian innovation landscape and the needs of both startups and established organizations.

“This makes them a very strong partner to lead Ignite in Norway. Together, we have high ambitions to create real business opportunities for both Swedish and Norwegian startups,” she adds.

The next phase of the establishment involves building Ignite in Norway in close collaboration with actors across the Norwegian innovation ecosystem, while gradually beginning to match Norwegian startups with established organisations in both the private and public sectors.

“The goal of this establishment is to further develop and expand Ignite as a platform that brings together incubators, large companies, the public sector and startups in Norway, in close cooperation with corresponding organisations in Sweden. Our vision is for Ignite to include all Norwegian startups and, over time, startups from across the Nordics,” concludes Sara Hamlin.

About Ignite Sweden

Ignite Sweden is a non-profit organisation working to increase business collaborations between startups, industry and the public sector. Ignite Sweden collaborates with 43 incubators and science parks across Sweden and has engaged more than 1,900 startups and 450 established companies and public organisations, resulting in over 800 business-driven innovation collaborations. Ignite Sweden is a subsidiary of SISP – Swedish Incubators and Science Parks, and is funded by Vinnova.

About David & Goliath Ventures

David & Goliath Ventures is a startup studio based in Oslo, Norway, helping startups secure their first customers, raise capital and build strong teams. The company brings extensive experience from entrepreneurship, advisory roles and senior positions within established organisations, with a strong focus on customer-driven innovation and scalable collaborations.

For more information, please contact:

Sara Hamlin, VD Ignite Sweden
sara@ignitesweden.org
+46 (0)70 282 91 78

Gustav Gorecki, VD David & Goliath Ventures
gustav@davidgoliath.no
+47 98 044 15ludes Sara Hamlin.