Norwegian Startups

To help shed some light on Norway’s entrepreneurial ecosystem I share here a crowdsourced list on emerging Norwegian tech startups and growth ventures (in no particular order). Feel free to suggest entries or improvements.

Table of Contents

1. The startups

2. Notable exits

3. Norwegian tech blogs

4. Accelerators, incubators, and co-working

5. VCs and early-stage funding

6. Education and startup initiatives

 

1. The startups

Atbrox develops search technology and provides cloud computing services with Hadoop/Mapreduce and Amazon Web Services.

cXense is a contextual advertising, search and analytics software from the founders of FAST Search and Transfer (acquired by Microsoft) and the former Norwegian search engine Sesam.no.

Cfengine, a company providing automated IT operations, may not be a newly launched company per se, but it is definitely worth paying attention to working a client list that includes companies such as eBay, Facebook, PayPal, and Nokia.

Kontrib.it is a social interest network where you can collect and share stuff you like.

Funkbit.no is a web development company behind invoicing service Dokus.no and invoice sharing app Delregning.no.

DoubleTwist, located in San Francisco, provides a free application that empowers consumers to easily transfer, share and sync personal media regardless of device, file format or social network.

Meltwater Group is a Software as a Service company providing tools for new media monitoring, news aggregation, and collaboration among others.

Confirmit is a SaaS vendor for enterprise feedback management and market research applications.

bMenu is a developer of Internet navigation technology for desktop and mobile platforms. Also behind website to mobile site converter bMobilized.com.

Induct Software integrates Enterprise 2.0 technology and social networking concepts with a customizable innovation management framework based on open innovation and Henry Chesbrough’s theories.

Integrasco provides social media monitoring and analytics for global brands.

Creaza which is developing tools for social video editing recently opened offices in Silicon Valley.

StormDriver is a web app that combines user recommendations, activity patterns and automated website analysis, to help you discover and share quality content.

Gitorious by Shortcut provides free open source infrastructure for open source projects that uses Git. Projects include Qt by Nokia, OpenSUSE, Xbox, and Startusnet.

EasyPeasy, a Linux-based and Internet-enabled OS for laptops counting more than 1,5M downloads and users in 166 countries.

Questback provides online survey software and services.

BrightArch is the software company behind OrganizationWeaver, a service used in large corporations during restructures/staffing changes and change management.

ItsLearning is a learning platform used by millions of educators, students, admin staff and parents around the world.

Comoyo delivers the solutions that entertains you, lets you communicate with your friends and store the content you care about (via @ingridod)

Stay.com is a personal online travel guide.

Mailmojo.no, by web application developers Eliksir AS, is an e-mail marketing and newsletter service for small businesses (via @asteinlein).

Makeplans.no allows your customers to book hours and resources online (via @asteinlein).

Mobilskole.no a provider of mobile communication services to the education sector.

Infinite Loop is the company behind Kickback.no, an online shopping service that allows you to earn “kickback” across multiple online stores. The company also operates some of Norway’s most popular tech sites, including Mac1.no, iPod1.no, Kreativ1.no, and Linux1.no.

Blink Studios is an independent developer of interactive games and apps founded by former Funcom developers.

Fakturo.no is a simple invoice management web application (via @EspenAntonsen)

Classmate.no aims to take social networking into education (via @knutwien).

TapCat, a Norwegian mobile game development company behind SnakeRace (via @MajaOmHelse).

Symphonical is an online project management and group interaction service.

Yast.com is an online time tracker that is also providing tracking of phone calls.

OnePageOnly is a simple online time tracking service.

CompanyBook provides a social platform to interact with current business partners and clients (via @atveit).

Favourite Systems is mobile software development company (via @thomanil).

Rubrikk.no is a leading online classifieds site in Norway. The company is also behind annonseguiden.se.

Epla.no is a handmade marketplace somewhat similar to Etsy. Acquired by Aller Media in 2011 (via @matsi).

Biip.no is Norway’s largest social network for youths. Acquired by Egmont Serieforlaget in 2008 (via@matsi).

iusethis.com by Nordaaker is a website that allows you to track your applications and discover new ones (via @Jensen2k).

eZ Systems, also known for open source CMS eZ Publish, provides web content management solutions to an impressive list of customers worldwide (via @toranders).

Preseria is a web-based planning and publishing tool for organizers and presenters.

dSafe.no makes IT solutions for the retail industry (via @spitinc).

Milestep provides interactive video solutions for the education sector.

Vinatta offers referral marketing software.

24SevenOffice is a leading CRM & ERP software company in Norway (via @EspenAntonsen).

MyEnergy.no is a web application that helps you to track and reduce household energy usage.

Kundo.no is a Stockholm-based online customer service platform helping businesses connect with their customers (via @bjornlilja).

Utfylt.no is a simple web-based accounting and reporting app targeted at small businesses and sole proprietorships (via @andreashennie).

The Online Backup Company provides online backup and disaster recovery solutions to private and public enterprises.

Miniforetak.no helps small businesses simplify access to public documents, manuals, rules, and regulations (via @miniforetak).

Outsmart.no is a back-office accounting service for SMBs and accountants in Norway.

Baresko.no is “Zappos.com of Norway”.

Tripletex.no is a module-based accounting and project management SaaS solution (via @sechrest).

Snappit.no is a mobile app for restaurants that simplifies the ordering process, reducing guests’ waiting time and increasing sales.

EasyBring connects people who need to send something from one place to another with people going that way anyway.

Likenshare gives product samples to selected members from that they share their experiences in social media (via @spitinc).

bSafe turns your smartphone into a safety device. The company, Bipper, also provides BipperKids, a parental control service for children’s mobile phones.

Soundrop is a social jukebox for Spotify.

Bizdeal.no is deals for businesses.

Vippy makes it easy to add video to your website (via @spitinc).

Yes! Games is a developer of interactive games. Its biggest title being Chess Attack.

T-Rank is a software provider that delivers products and solutions for network analysis.

Promon develops security software solutions for the mainstream enterprise security market.

Solid Publication‘s SaaS tools manage and analyse your activities across multiple social media channels.

Future4 develops interactive and social game adventures for campaigns, events and different types of activities (via @atveit).

dimidii offers tickets to cultural and sporting events at half price.

Vidamo is an international provider of mobile solutions to businesses.

Energy Micro is a global provider of energy friendly microcontrollers by the founders of Chipcon.

Bengler is behind the social networking sites Underskog.no and Origo.no.

Musicnodes lets you share and play music directly from you website.

Webstory is a web development company behind multiple websites such as Mangel.no, EinsteinAplpha.com and Molo.no.

SocialCee is a CMS and CRM tool for social media like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

TextUrgy provides semantic search and navigation solutions to the enterprise market.

iSentio offers software solutions to facilitate analysis, interpretation, and management of DNA sequencing data.

METAS develops and manufactures underwater devices which use acoustic sensors for monitoring the subsea environment.

ComCom develops software for providing ads on mobile phones.

Commercial Microportals turns domains into informative and useful websites.

Mikrojobb.no is a site that offers third parties to buy or sell services at fixed prices.

Encap provides desktop authentication solutions to the enterprise market.

Forlaget Propell is a publisher of interactive children’s books for the App Store and Android market.

EffektivEpost.no, by Eazycom AS, makes newsletters and email marketing simple.

WooThemes, a leading developer of WordPress Themes, is co-founded by Norwegian Magnus Jepson.

GründerTV produces and publishes videos covering the Norwegian tech scene, ranging from founder interviews and startup events.

Wavepass helps retailers increase revenue through integrated solutions for electronic gift certificates.

Katachi is a creator of interactive digital magazines for iPad.

Neovada is a creative company developing online and mobile Internet applications.

Searchdaimon has developed proprietary technology and products for enterprise search.

iDTEQ develops alarm sensors utilizing artificial intelligence and infrasound detection.

SnapTV develops, operates, and maintains advanced digital infotainment systems.

FairChance develops a micro-lottery system to be used at online and physical point-of-sales.

Valkee light therapy is used only for 8-12 minutes a day to get the necessary light through a single dose.

One2Touch develops Near Field Communications (NFC) keyboard for smartphones and tablets.

Moblin makes SMS marketing easy.

DEALclickr collect deals from several providers to give you a better deal.

LetMeInApp. Targeted at digital tickets, LetMeIn wants to change the way people are let in (via @johanhal).

Nearbite.me builds a service to help people better find eateries and restaurants nearby (via @johanhal).

GetGauss, The People Magnet, helps you discover and meet with interesting people around you. Its Norwegian founder Vidar Andersen is based in Cologne, Germany.

Tyggo.no is a restaurant guide for Oslo. Here you will find menus, reviews and hours to the city’srestaurants, all gathered in one place.

DealMonster.no is a deals aggregator for cities across Norway.

Elliptic Labs is creating new ways of interacting with computers using ultrasound technologies.

SquareHead Technology provides microphone array systems for board and conference rooms, education purposes, and business conferences.

Flattr is an online micropayment/microdonation system founded by Norwegian Peter Sunde and Linus Olsson in Malmø, Sweden.

Dealy helps you discover great deals in stores near you.

Mind the Moose, by Florett Technologies, helps you find offers and stores in your city.

HAVA media is behind a network of leading social news sites, including the gaming site N4G.com.

Clashy allows users to create visual polls that compare two items head-to-head and let the crowd declare a winner.

Eventify by Kodebyraaet is an online ticket service for cultural events.

MinOversikt.no is a personal accounting service that lets you set budgets and keep track on savings.

Ants, based in Oslo/Copenhagen, is a simple and fast way to share car rides on your iPhone.

Meronymy provides database server software for the Semantic Web.

Fribi is a fun and social way to give, get or swap anything from anyone, anywhere.

inTelly.tv adds social features for notifications on the TV.

DolphiTech provides ultrasound-based cameras for 2 – and 3 Dimensional identification and analysis of materials (via @segrov).

Ocas provides systems for collision avoidance. Acquired by Vestas (via @Sverre_Holm).

WeVideo is an online video editing web platform.

iDoc24 provides medical advice via camera-based mobile applications.

Boost Communications provides brands and publishers with the tools needed to mobilize web and monetise mobile.

Atmel designs and manufactures microcontrollers and capacitive touch solutions components (via @Sverre_Holm).

LapBack provides security software for handheld device.

YouSpin makes it easy for anyone to create a 360 animation of products using mobile devices.

Gapvine by Menlosoft, provides customer feedback and survey solutions to help companies increase profit by more accurate pricing.

Try It On is an e-commerce solution that allows users to “try before they buy”.

Never.no provides a social TV platform for broadcasters.

FXI Technologies provides users with a single point of access to all personal cloud services and apps through their favorite OS.

Aptoma enables editors and journalists to get their job done without ever worrying about the tools they use.

Kikora develops and offers online learning resources for mathematics education.

AIMS Innovation provides monitoring products for organizations with complex integration solutions.

Viju is a supplier of visual collaboration solutions.

Seevia provides directory-based video communication solutions for the enterprise market.

Aksjeservice offers web-based applications for shareholder management.

Pido is an online service that lets customers order goods from restaurants quickly and easily using their smart phone.

Wonderloop is live video socialized.

ISERV offers cloud computing services and applications.

Legalia gives people affordable and quick access to justice.

XT software is a digital media company that delivers community-based music software and plugins for the PC and Mac.

Mobitroll is an interactive platform enabling location based social gaming.

ForgeRock provides companies with secure access to anything, anywhere, from any screen or device (via @amanghei).

CompBuoy delivers innovative and patented materials to the offshore buoyancy and insulation market (via @EmilOekstad).

MyStore provides e-commerce stores to the SMB market.

Tellu delivers solutions that add value to existing and new services in the mobile channel.

Jobylon is a social recruiting service.

Supportia, “Geeksquad of Norway”, provides services and resources in consumer electronics.

2. Notable exits

Mamut, a provider of integrated software solutions and internet services for SMEs, was listed on Oslo Stock Exchange in 2004 and acquired by Visma in 2011.

Siri, a personal assistant software developed by Dag Kittlaus, was sold to Apple in 201o rumored at a prize of $200M.

Nimsoft, a provider of unified monitoring solutions in the cloud, was acquired by CA, Inc. in 2010 for $350M.

Global IP Solutions, developer of real-time voice and video processing software for IP networks, was acquired by Google in 2010 for $68.2M.

Playfish, a creator of social games for Facebook and other social platforms, was acquired by Electronic Arts in 2009 for $400M.

Hugin Group, an European provider of Investor Relations and Public Relations services, was bought by Thomson Reuters in 2009.

Trolltech, the developer of mobile application platform Qt was acquired by Nokia in 2008 for $153M.

Fast Search and Transfer (FAST), a developer of enterprise search technologies and solutions, was acquired by Microsoft in 2008 for $1,2B.

Fronter, provider of an online learning management system was acquired by Pearson in 2008.

Linpro, a Linux solutions company was acquired by Redpill in 2010.

Chipcon, a semiconductor company, was acquired by Texas Instruments in 2006 for $200M.

Falanx Microsystems, a mobile graphics chip developer was acquired by ARM in 2006.

Vizrt, creator of content production tools for the digital media industry, was listen on the OSE in 2005.

FunCom, a developer of massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange in 2005.

Opera Software, known for the Opera browsers, was listed on Oslo Stock Exchange in 2004.

StepStone, a pan-European online recruitment service, filed for IPO on the LSE and the OSE in 2000.

3. Norwegian Tech Blogs

Mac1.no on Apple news and products.

Teknologia.no is a technology and gadget blog.

Techstorm.no writes about digital technologies and gadgets.

SocialTalk.no covers developments in social media services and marketing.

Genuin.no publishes news and stories about Norwegian startups.

4. Accelerators, incubators, and co-working

BetaFactory is an early-stage startup incubator/accelerator based on the Techstars model.

Innovation House is a Norwegian co-working space and incubator located in Silicon Valley.

MESH is a co-working space for modern entrepreneurs and creative individuals.

Rocket Science is a startup incubator provided by Jimmy Royal.

Startup Lab provides housing and funding for startups.

Gründerenes Hus located in Oslo, provides co-working space for Norwegian startups.

5. VCs and early-stage funding

Innovation Norway is the Norwegian Government’s instrument for innovation and development of Norwegian enterprises and industry.

Norwegian Venture Capital Association (NVCA) provides a list on members; Venture Capital firms and funds in Norway.

Northzone offers early-stage venture capital investments, focusing on Nordic technology companies such as Spotify and Funcom.

Nunatak takes active involvement in the different stages of a start-up company’s life cycle.

Fabian Invest invests actively in early stage mediatech companies in the Nordic region.

Ignitas is an advisory and venture company focused on digital strategy and on-line visibility.

Oslo Innovation Center houses research-based startups.

Springfondet is a seed capital fund located at Oslo Innovation Center.

BMI is an incubator and investor in early start-ups within the biomedical sector.

NorBAN – Norwegian Business Angel Network.

Schibsted Vekst is the venture arm of Schibsted Media Group, providing its portfolio companies with access to its large media network.

Core Venture helps small businesses realize their business ideas through our competencies and network in the IT, media and telecom-sectors.

6. Education and startup initiatives

Norwegian School of Entrepreneurship /Gründerskolen is an academic cooperation programme that involves most universities or colleges in Norway and several notable international universities.

Centre for Entrepreneurship with the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Oslo, the oldest and largest university in Norway.

BI Norwegian School of Business offers courses in innovation and entrepreneurship.

NTNU Entrepreneurship Center and School of Entrepreneurship at The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (via @knutwien)

Startup Weekend Norway is the Norwegian chapter of the global startup initiative Startup Weekend.

Startup Norway is an entrepreneurial community and startup hub.

Start Norge is a student organization working to advance innovation and entrepreneurship amongst Norwegian students.

Startupsummer.no, a “hackathon” in collaboration with the Internet browser company Opera Software.

Ungt Entreprenørskap (part of YA-YE Europe) is a non-profit, national organization working to develop children and young people’s creativity, joy and faith in themselves.

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