Short Description: Mindbuddy is developing an AI-powered mental training app to help young athletes build confidence, focus, and resilience by combining sports psychology with accessible, easy-to-use tools designed for their daily routines. The What: Mental training is often inaccessible to young athletes due to stigma, cost, or limited resources at clubs. This leaves players struggling with performance anxiety, self-doubt, and inconsistent focus - issues that directly impact their performance and well-being. Despite its importance, mental training remains underutilized, especially in grassroots and academy-level sports. With over 50% of players reporting struggles with confidence and performance pressure, this is a problem that affects millions of young athletes worldwide. The How: Mindbuddy bridges the gap between mental training and accessibility by delivering tailored sports psychology tools directly to players’ phones. Using AI, the app helps players set SMART goals, generate visualization tracks, and build mental routines for training and matches. For clubs, Mindbuddy offers a simple platform to track team well-being, measure progress, and provide coaches with actionable insights - allowing mental training to seamlessly integrate into the day-to-day routines of both players and teams. The Why: As a professional footballer for 18 years, including many as captain of Vålerenga, I’ve experienced firsthand the enormous pressure players face. It wasn’t until the latter part of my career, when I discovered the power of mental training, that I realized how much better prepared and focused I could be. That sparked the idea for Mindbuddy. I wanted to create a tool that made mental training accessible to every young athlete, breaking down the barriers of stigma and cost, and ensuring they can unlock their full potential - both on and off the pitch.

At Farmforce, food’s first mile is our passion. Our SaaS solutions provide organizations with the confidence to secure sustainable sourcing, improve farmers' quality of life and protect the environment. We turn data into tools, which means more vetted acres, more measurable impact on communities, more financial opportunities for farmers, and more clarity for customers. We believe in building a better food supply where it starts. Providing the confidence that comes from knowing the facts about your food sourcing operations in the first mile. Farmforce customers span 30 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. With over nine years of experience now managing over 700,000 farmers in 45 crop value chains in 15 languages on our platform. A continuous loop of innovation with our customers in the center of food’s first-mile journey. Visit www.farmforce.com.

Age Labs is a Norwegian molecular diagnostics company that discovers, develops and commercializes biomarkers for the early detection of age-related diseases. We offer a service for evaluating epigenetic drug effects for use in clinical trials. Our biomarker discovery pipeline includes a biological age predictor and a test predicting the severity of COVID-19 infection. To date, we have raised 30 MNOK in private and public funding, and became a Nordic Startup Awards finalist in 2020. We are supported by strong commercial and R&D partners, including Oslo University Hospital, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Merck Group and Fürst Medical Laboratory. Our mission is to develop novel precision biomarkers for the early detection of age related diseases to extend the human healthspan.

Valma.ai is a versatile AI-powered SaaS platform to help businesses actually become highly productive with Artificial Intelligens. We are a Norwegian startup with global reach, offering both a no-code/low-code solution for non-technical SMBs and a robust API and SDK for developers, enabling businesses of all sizes and technical capabilities to harness the power of AI. Valma.ai is addressing the challenge of AI underutilization in businesses, spanning from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMBs) to large corporations with in-house development teams. This issue affects companies across various industries, particularly in the Scandinavian market, but is rapidly gaining global recognition. For non-technical SMBs, the problem lies in the complexity and inaccessibility of many AI solutions, which often require specialized knowledge to implement and use effectively. These businesses struggle to leverage AI to enhance their productivity and competitiveness due to limited resources and technical expertise. On the other hand, companies with strong technical capabilities face a different challenge. While they have the skills to implement AI solutions, they often lack a flexible, scalable platform that allows them to quickly develop and deploy custom AI-powered applications tailored to their specific needs. Valma.ai recognizes that the need for AI-driven productivity spans across the spectrum of technical capabilities, from marketing agencies needing simple automation to tech companies requiring advanced AI integration. Our platform is designed to bridge this gap, offering solutions for both ends of the technical spectrum. Valma.ai solves these problems by offering a dual-approach platform: For non-technical users and SMBs: A user-friendly, no-code/low-code interface that allows easy creation and management of AI-powered workflows Pre-built AI variants (Chatbot, Agent, and Workflow) that can be easily customized and deployed Simple integration options, including a chat window that can be easily added to websites White-labeling capabilities for brand customization For developers and technically advanced users: A robust API that allows deep integration of Valma.ai's AI capabilities into existing systems and applications An SDK for building custom solutions and extending the platform's functionality Advanced features like custom annotations to override language models for precise outputs Flexible data management, including the ability to edit uploaded/stored data directly in a vector database Common features for all users: - Multiple AI variants that can be combined for complex problem-solving - Integration capabilities with both internal and external tools - Long-term memory for storing and retrieving important information - Collaboration features for team-based workflow creation - Voice-to-text and text-to-voice capabilities - Built-in security features and GDPR compliance This comprehensive solution allows businesses of all sizes and technical capabilities to leverage AI effectively, whether they're looking for out-of-the-box solutions or want to build custom, AI-powered applications. By providing both no-code options and developer tools, Valma.ai ensures that companies can start small and scale their AI usage as their needs and capabilities grow.

At Over Easy Solar, we are tackling the challenge of underutilized rooftop spaces for solar energy, particularly focusing on flat rooftops and green roofs, which are often overlooked due to concerns about maintenance, energy efficiency, and potential damage from traditional solar panels. Rooftops represent a significant opportunity for clean energy production, yet their potential is often untapped. Our solution is the innovative vertical bifacial solar panel, which is specifically designed to overcome these challenges. This unique panel integrates seamlessly with flat roofs and green roofs, maximizing energy output without disrupting the environment. By using a prefabricated design, we streamline the installation process, making it up to ten times faster than conventional systems while reducing costs. The vertical configuration allows our panels to capture more sunlight, especially during peak demand times, such as mornings, evenings, and winter months, increasing energy efficiency when it’s most needed. Additionally, the panels’ design ensures easy access and reduces the need for heavy ballast, making them compatible with most roofs. Our mission is to unlock the potential of underutilized spaces, contributing to the global transition to renewable energy while supporting EU energy goals for rooftop photovoltaic (PV) installations. By providing an efficient, eco-friendly, and versatile solar solution, we are helping to build a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Signicat is a pioneering, pan-European digital identity company with a unrivalled track record in the world’s most advanced digital identity markets. Its digital identity platform incorporates the most extensive suite of identity verification and authentication systems in the world, all accessible through a single integration point. The platform supports the full identity journey, from recognition and on-boarding, through login and consent, to making business agreements which stand the test of time.

Hubro Education turns every student into a CEO in our online business simulation games. Practice is crucial to develop a deep understanding of any discipline, and Hubro’s business simulations offer an effective, engaging and innovative way to do just that in business education. We work with universities and business schools in more than 40 countries around the world. The company has a diverse team and will grow to 12 team members in early 2024. Our HQ is in Oslo at Rebel, Universitetsgata 2. As of June 2023, Hubro is wholly owned by Sage, a leading independent academic publisher with offices in Los Angeles, London, Washington DC, Singapore, New Delhi, and Melbourne. Read about the acquisition here: https://www.shifter.no/nyheter/et-av-verdens-storste-forlag-kjoper-norsk-edtech-startup/279172

Flow Platform is a set of tools that provides a ready-to-use structure for defining, implementing, orchestrating, and managing product development. Unlike other management tools, we offer a definite way of working - step by step. Thanks to this approach, we enable the creation of a highly automated process open to improvement during subsequent iterations.

Xeneta (Norway Startup of the Year 2016) is one of the most promising tech companies coming out of the Nordics. We are changing the business of the $200Bn container-shipping industry. We have become the world's leading information platform for ocean freight pricing intelligence. With our international background from logistics, technology and business we have managed to develop a turnkey solution addressing the challenges traditionally related to trade in the containerized shipping industry. We come from all walks of life and from all corners of the globe. With over 16 different nationalities, there really isn't a dull moment in a typical working day. Our colorful personalities makes for rather interesting and healthy discussions on the most mundane topics, but it's what keeps it fun. With our headquarters in beautiful and charming Oslo, Norway our team of dedicated and extremely intelligent human beings is what makes Xeneta tick. We have a passion for software technology and global trade, but most of all, a desire to change the business of global logistics once and for all.

Introduction to SurplusMap SurplusMap is on a mission to revolutionize the way we develop and optimize EV charging infrastructure. By leveraging advanced geospatial tools and machine learning models, we empower energy companies, local utilities, and charge point operators to make informed decisions about site selection and utilization prediction. This ensures the efficient and effective deployment of charging stations, addressing a critical need in the rapidly growing electric vehicle market. Our secret advantage is our ability to draw on Norway's leadership in EV infrastructure, combined with our collaborations with top-tier partners like Google and Bentley Systems, to deliver cutting-edge solutions. The challenge we face is significant: the current pace of infrastructure development is insufficient to meet the future demands of the booming EV market. The market is highly fragmented, causing inconvenience for EV users and difficulties for energy companies and local utilities trying to optimize their investments. For instance, the EU mandates the installation of 6,000 new charging points per week by 2030, a target that is far from being met with the current rate of deployment. This gap presents a substantial opportunity for innovative solutions like SurplusMap to make a real difference. At SurplusMap, we focus on ensuring our customers invest wisely. Our sophisticated, map-based software integrates geospatial data and machine learning algorithms to pinpoint optimal sites for new charging stations. This means our clients can invest in the right locations, install the ideal number of chargers, and maintain high utilization rates over time. By doing so, we help them maximize their investments and build a robust EV infrastructure network that meets the demands of the future. We are driven by a vision of cleaner, more sustainable cities. Electric vehicles are crucial in reducing air pollution and creating healthier urban environments. However, the key to this transition lies in the efficient deployment of charging infrastructure that provides greater flexibility to the energy grid, allowing for more renewable energy sources to be integrated. At SurplusMap, we are passionate about facilitating this energy transition. By optimizing EV charging infrastructure, we help accelerate the shift to cleaner energy, positively impacting both the environment and the communities we live in. Join us in our mission to create a greener, more sustainable future through innovative technology and strategic planning. Together, we can drive the change needed to make our cities cleaner and our energy systems more resilient.

Innovation Dock is a living, energetic innovation hub for entrepreneurs, innovators, and growth companies in Stavanger, Norway. Four buildings of prime office space, co-working, and conference facilities with a front-row view of the fjords and mountains, located in the most energetic part of Stavanger city center; the growing Stavanger east.

iDROP a/s is a company providing a disruptive method and proprietary equipment for efficient and accurate installation of sensors on or on the seafloor. The system comprises a self-navigating drone - Oceanid™, that purely based on gravity, and ballast shift, will self-propel itself autonomously from a drop location on the surface to a pre-plot location on the seabed. Complementary to the drop-node an automatic handling system is provided for unmanned deployment in an over-the-side basket, and subsequent recovery of nodes from the surface and safely onboard for storage. The complete system is containerized based on ISO shipment standards, and hence flexible and scalable in terms of storage, transport, and operation. The Oceanid development project is soft-funded by EU, Eureka, and the Norwegian Research Council, with complementary industry support from several European Energy Majors.

Diwala is a Norwegian-based company that is focused on building opportunities for youth, addressing the global issue of identity theft and certification fraud. Today, displaced individuals and people in emerging markets are challenged by high costs and slow manual processes to verify the authenticity of their skills, identity and credentials. As a result, these individuals have to deal with tedious and out-dated credentialing processes, and are in some cases forced to repeat years of education. This leads to both loss of productivity and inflated unemployment. Imagine that you had to flee your own home because of war. Like Aıscha Najjar, a Syrian doctor turned refugee immigrated to the United States to pursue her dream of work & a safe home. Yet, due to loss of information, she was forced to repeat medical school in the United States. If she had a verifiable skill identity, she might have had the privilege of practicing medicine without any questions. Aıscha`s story amongst others epitomizes the challenge Diwala is addressing. To tackle this challenge, Diwala has created a platform that enables schools and NGOs to issue skill-based identities, backed by blockchain technology. A skill-ID is a digitally verified record of a person’s educational and work history. Diwala is building an ecosystem of trust, by enabling educational institutions and organizations to safely and digitally issue and verify credentials. This will, in turn, save all parties time, money and build a bridge for global work opportunities for untapped talent. Complementing the platform, Diwala has built an app that allows students to easily receive, store and share credentials of both soft and hard skills. By utilizing a decentralized identity management tool, Diwala’s application will also give people ownership of their data information. Diwala is currently executing pilots regularly, to optimize the features and security of the platform in both Kenya and Uganda. Working with their implementation partner Clarke University in Kampala, Diwala recently issued the first set of skill-identities to both students and administrators. These are the first ever digitally verified certificates backed by decentralized identity and blockchain in Africa

GoBoat is an experience company, which offers unique social experiences on the water to both locals and tourists, through sustainable boat rental. It was founded in Copenhagen in February 2014 by Anders, Carl and Kasper – three young entrepreneurs. Today the company operates boat rentals all over the world.

SportAI is a Norwegian-founded B2B sports technology company dedicated to enhancing sports coaching and analysis using AI. With expertise in computer vision and machine learning, SportAI brings objectivity to sports technique and tactical analysis, offering instant data-driven insights to training facilities, streaming platforms, retailers and equipment brands around the world. The company was founded in late 2023 by Norwegian tech and software industry experts Lauren Pedersen (CEO), Felipe Longé (CTO), Andreas Thome (Board Chairman), Espen Agdestein (Board member), and Trond Kittelsen (Head of Commercial). SportAI employs a team of ten people and has raised $5.7M to date.