By Astrid Feddersen. Photos by Oda Laugerud Grusd.
On August 19 and 20, FRAM brought together the entire innovation community at NTNU for the Innovation Days in Gruva. Over two eventful days, students had the opportunity to explore everything from entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence to space exploration, robotics, and sustainable technology. Free food, competitions, and a relaxed atmosphere made it easy to start a conversation, and the event became a natural meeting place for both new and experienced students.
The Innovation Days was kicked off with an opening speech by the Vice Rector for Education, Geir Øien, who highlighted the remarkable dedication demonstrated across the university’s student organizations. He emphasized the valuable academic, professional, and not least personal skills students develop through their involvement in innovation beyond the classroom.
Walking through Gruva, it was hard not to be impressed by the diversity of the students’ involvement. Visitors could learn about Orbit NTNU‘s satellite projects and Propulse NTNU‘s student-built rockets, highlighting the strong presence of space technology at the event. Right next to Propulse, visitors also had the chance to meet Nordlys, which is developing Norway’s first student-built solar car, and Revolve, which competes with electric and autonomous Formula Student cars.
Several of the organizations demonstrated how autonomy and artificial intelligence are used in practice. Ascend NTNU develops competition drones, Vortex builds autonomous underwater vehicles, Marinor works on autonomous ships, while Cogito, Brain, and ReLU give students the opportunity to work with AI and machine learning on real-world projects. Visitors could also meet Hackerspace NTNU, a creative makerspace where students explore technologies such as 3D printing, VR, electronics, and software development through hands-on projects.
Technology, however, was only one part of the picture. Start NTNU, Spark*, Boost Henne, Gründerbrakka, and DRIV NTNU represented the entrepreneurial side of the community and demonstrated how students can develop ideas into startups and companies. While Spark* and Gründerbrakka support student entrepreneurs directly, DRIV NTNU focuses on health innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, helping students explore how technology and entrepreneurship can address challenges within healthcare. At the same time, Designhjelpen explained how design expertise is used to solve real-world challenges, while Støttehjulet demonstrated how organizational psychology can contribute to better collaboration and leadership.
Sustainability and social engagement also played a prominent role. GridVille develops energy solutions for areas without a stable power supply, while Ingeniører Uten Grenser applies technology and engineering expertise to humanitarian projects. Fuel Fighter develops energy-efficient vehicles, and Njord helps promote the autonomous maritime solutions of the future through its international competition.
Other organizations showcased even more facets of NTNU’s innovation community. MAKE NTNU invited students to explore the maker culture through prototyping and hands-on creativity, Jet NTNU shared its enthusiasm for jet engines and aviation technology, and NORSTEC brought together students interested in Norwegian space exploration. In addition, NORSTEC Summit highlighted how students, researchers, and industry professionals are working together to strengthen Norway’s space sector through one of the country’s emerging space technology conferences. Studio Beta represented the architecture and design community, WiC works to promote greater diversity in technology, Innovatio NTNU showcased student engagement around innovation and sustainable development, and Solan contributes to the sense of community surrounding the NTNU School of Entrepreneurship.
What all the booths had in common was enthusiasm. The students eagerly talked about their projects, demonstrated technology, and shared experiences from long evenings in the workshop, in the lab, or around the conference table. For many visitors, this served as a reminder that student life at NTNU is about much more than just lectures and exams, including the many opportunities to take part in the innovation ecosystem.
The Innovation Days 2026 showcased the best of the student community in Trondheim: curiosity, collaboration, and the drive to create something new. For some, the event was an inspiring experience. For others, it marked the start of a new role, a new project.