In the form, you will fill in and answer some questions about your startup, and you will submit a 2-pager containing information about:
Value proposition Briefly, what is your business idea? What value does your business idea offer to the market? What is your Unique Selling Point?
Team Who is behind the idea, and why are you fit to succeed?
Problem Which problem(s) do you aim to solve with your idea?
Solution What is your concept, product, or service? What makes it unique, scalable, doable, or new?
The deliverable should be a maximum of 2 pages, you choose yourself how the format and structure of the 2-pager are.
Qualification Process:
The five best applications will be invited to pitch in front of an expert panel, whereas one of the teams is chosen to represent NTNU at this year’s Stage Two!
We are looking forward to reading your applications!
Engage and NTNUI E-sport, in partnership with Equinor and NTNU, hosted Chapter 2 early in April. This year, as last year, the event was divided into two parts. Lectures, a panel debate and some fun activities at the beginning of the day, and in the evening, there was gaming at Jotunheimen E-sport centre. It was a tight schedule with a visit from one of the world’s biggest E-sport organisations, that talked about their work. A presentation from how a fulltime gamer, Veronica Langø (@msvosch), managed to start her career, an E-sport show match, and much more.
@msvosch talking about her experience of pursuing a career in streaming.
Students from a great variety of study areas came to the event and was pleased with all the information and perspectives they got. One of the biggest audience favourites was the panel discussion with Bitfix, Jotunheimen and NOVA. Here the students were able to hear, among other things, concrete examples of the organisations helping kids to feel a sense of accomplishment and take part in normal schooling again.
The panel discussion with Bitfix, Jotunheimen and NOVA.
Both Simen Voxen, PR manager for NTNUI E-sport, and Simon Sætre that lead the event from Engage’s part was happy with the event. Sætre, who is the brain behind the idea of the event says there is so many students at NTNU that deserves to take part in the innovation environment. As a gamer himself, he wanted to bring together people interested in technology with different professional backgrounds and thought gaming was the perfect gathering moment. Sætre says, «gaming is now fully on its way into working life» and that you can see aspects of it whether you work as a teacher, doctor or engineer. He says that because of this, students need to be lifted out of seeing gaming as something that only is social and fun.
Without doubt gaming is a growing part of our life, and the development on these fronts is not slowing down any time soon. According to a report from the Norwegian Media Authority in 2022, 86% of those between the ages of 9 and 18 play computer games and over half say that they socialise through gaming. But gaming is not just for the younger ones. Figures from Statistics Norway also indicate that more than half of everyone under 45 do play computer games daily. These numbers, together with the fact that skills developed through gaming can be transferred to working life, shows how important investing and innovation in gaming is. One of the students present at Chapter 2, Zabine, says that it is essential to show the importance of innovation on this front too. Especially with so many from elder generations that does not have knowledge on all the opportunities that exists within gaming.
Students from a great variety of study areas came to hear about the opportunities within gaming.
Another audience favourite from Chapter 2 was hearing how Equinor works with simulations and how experience from designing games can lead to jobs with similar work tasks but very different outcomes. To hear how gaming was linked to working life and the opportunities there, was something the students, really appreciated. One of them, Ragnhild, emphasizes that gaming can be about so much more than just fun games. She refers to Equinor and their work and elaborates how this can lead to something entirely different, like VR-simulating for medical student to practise.
Simon Sætre (on stage) opening Chapter 2.
Voxen says there is people with a lot of engagement and dedication to gaming, but they don’t know where to start. He says through this event they got to see a path into a working life through gaming and hopes it can inspire student to dare to take a chance and go for a career they want, although it is out of the ordinary.
Both Voxen and Sætre is satisfied with the event and how much bigger than Chapter 1 it got. Now they can’t wait for Chapter 3 and Sætre says he wants a hole book in the future.
To resolve the grand challenges of our time, we need people from different disciplines to think and work together, both in the form of starting new ventures and by creating changes in organizations and communities.
An entrepreneur is a person who can spot and create opportunities, find solutions and gather the necessary resources to bring ideas to life, and thus, create value for others. In this course you will learn to think and act more like an entrepreneur – together with people from different disciplines – and you will learn how you can inspire your students to develop entrepreneurial competence so that they can become change agents in their respective workplaces after their studies.
The course is offered both in Norwegian and English, both physically and online (see dates for the fall 2024 below).
Entrepreneurship will be taught in a dynamic interplay between theoretical input, individual reflection, problem-solving and discussions in groups. In a friendly and supportive environment, you will train “pitching” skills, and give and receive feedback to other participant’s ideas and presentations. You will learn how to challenge your students to use live cases and work in interaction with individuals and organizations outside the university. Upon completion of the course, you will have created a plan for how to integrate entrepreneurial aspects into your teaching.
We anchor our teaching in Engage’s educational framework, revolving around the five pillars act, reflect, interact, embrace (risk and uncertainty) and challenge. The framework leans on experiential learning pedagogy. In the online version of the course, we are extra aware of ensuring variation and give frequent breaks, to maximize engagement and learning.
Courses autumn 2024
Physical courses: English physical version – Gruva, Campus Gløshaugen, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway. October, 28th and 29th. 09.00-16.00 both days.
Norwegian physical version – Gruva, Campus Gløshaugen, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway. November, 28th and 29th. 09.00-16.00 both days.
Free of charge. Lunch/coffee will be served both days.
Online course: Online version on Zoom. December 9th, 10th and 11th. 09:00 – 15:00 all three days. A link will be sent to the participants before the course.
Together with Sparebank 1 SMN, 6AM Accelerator and Trondheim Tech Port we are glad to repeat past years successful event – for the fourth time; the NTNU Student Investor Day!
Every student-driven startup from NTNU are invited to apply for the event according to the application critereas listed below. Of the applicants, 10 startups are selected to attend the event where they will get to pitch their business idea and be a part of an intense speed-dating round with a selection of Norways foremost early phase investors.
New for this year, is that the winner of “Best Business Concept” also qualifies for the finals of Sparebank 1 SMN’s competition “Fremtidens Verdiskaper 2024” (Eng.: Value creator of the future)!
This is not an opportunity you want to miss!
When?
June 6th 2024
12:30 – 13:00: Welcome and inspiration 13:00 – 13:45: 3 minutes pitch frome each startup 13:45 – 14:15: Break with food 14:15 – 15:45: 8 minutes speed dating with each start-up 15:45 -16: 00: Wrapping up at Gruva
16:00 – 17:00: Shuttle to prize cermony at “Havet” (10 minutes travel time) 17:00 – 23:00: Tech, Hugs & Rock’n’Roll at “Havet”. Price ceremony early in this event
Where?
Gruva, Oppredningen, NTNU Gløshaugen Sem Sælands vei 1, 7034 Trondheim
What?
Inspirational talk 3 minute pitching from startups. 8 minute speed dates between startups and investors. Prize ceremony. Mingling, food and drinks.
Who?
Student-driven startups from NTNU. Norwegian early phase investors.
Prizes?
Total of 200.000 NOK! Finalist spot at Sparebank 1 SMN’s “Fremtidens Verdiskaper 2024″! Participation in the 6AM Accelerator program!
A part of Trondheim Tech Week
NTNU Student Investor Day 2024 is a part of Trondheim Tech Week, by Trondheim Tech Port; a meeting place for innovation and technology, that unites capital, government, industry entrepreneurs and academia. Thus, Trondheim Tech Week and NTNU Student Investor Day is a perfect match, as both events want to showcase young entrepreneurs and technology, for investors, industry and other stakeholders.
Furthermore, coinciding at the same date is naturally “Tech, Hugs & Rock’n Roll”. This year, the prize ceremony will be held as a part of the THRR at Havet Arena. Attendees at NTNU Student Investor Day will be shuttled from NTNU to Havet after the Speed dating is concluded.
We hope that as many as possible of you will join us continuing the evening there, as we celebrate the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Trondheim!
The goal of NTNU Student Investor Day is to create an arena for student-driven startups at NTNU to meet investors, and vice versa.
In doing so, we aim to facilitate for the startups to learn more about what investors look for. Even more so, we want to aid the startups to start a dialogue with investors early on – hoping that it will be a stepping stone for them to raise the capital needed to build a sustainable business.
Awards
There are two award categories:
Best Business Concept
Sustainability Award
A total of 200.000 NOK will be awarded to the winners.
The winner of Best Business Consept will also be granted a spot in the final of Sparebank 1 SMN’s competition “Fremtidens Verdiskaper 2024”, with a chance of winning 500.000 NOK!
Additionally, one of the participating startups will automatically be accepted into the 6AM Accelerator program (valued at 120.000 NOK!)
Applications are sendt as a “3-pager” (pdf-format) where all elements listed below should be addressed. You choose yourself how the format and structure of the 3-pager are.
The deliverable should be maximum 3 pages – hence the name “3-pager”. We prefer that you write in Norwegian, but you may also write in English. Note that the event will be held in Norwegian.
Value proposition Briefly, what is your business idea? What value does your business idea offer to the market?
Team Who is behind the idea and why are you fit do succeed?
Problem Which problem(s) do you aim to solve with your idea?
Solution What is your concept, product or service? What makes it unique, is it scalable, is it doable, is it new?
Customer and market analysis Who is your customer, user, and what market need do you fulfill? How large is the market, who are the players in it, and how can you address it?
Business model and value chain analysis What does your business model look like, and where do you place yourself in the value chain
Sustainability What makes your idea more sustainable – either environmental, economical or socially – than others in the market.
Additionally, in the email with the application you will have to answer the following questions.
Question #1 (max 500 characters) What new value will your business idea offer to the market?
Question #2 (max 500 characters) Which sustainability goals does your startup address, and how?
Question #3 (max 500 characters) Why is it important for your startup to meet investors right now?
Thus, the mail will answer the three questions above, and have one pdf with maximum 3 pages attached.
On the 14th of March, students from all disciplines were invited to Gruva to present their innovative ideas for accelerating the transition towards more sustainable energy solutions across societal areas.
By Vilde Falck Husum
Although sustainability constituted the backdrop for the event, there was also a broader focus on networking and developing good ideas. This showcases the importance of the social activities and entrepreneurial work that goes into pitching a business idea. Therefore, leading up to the event, the contestants could sign up for and participate in a training course over three weeks in February. The training sessions were based around generating ideas, evaluating feasibility and lessons on how to present a good pitch.
The day started at 08:30 AM with mingling and some final touches to the pitches. After lunch, the teams prepared to bring their ideas to the stage. Given a five-minute timeframe, each team presented their sustainable solutions to a panel. The ideas ranged from bettering everyday logistics to improving industries such as restaurants, shipping, and utilizing existing infrastructure to optimize the use of already constructed areas. The diversity of ideas truly displayed the creativeness of the students participating, but also a range of untapped solutions with a future potential for bettering and improving society through sustainable energy. After pitching, each team was given feedback on their ideas as well as questions about scalability, business strategy, and feasibility. The panel consisted of three representatives from the entrepreneurial community at NTNU: Simon Sætre Borchgrevink from ES, Sonia Ahmadi, research fellow at the department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management, and Jans Nygaard also from ES.
It was revealed during feedback on a pitch from an eager student that he was unaware of the contest-part of Energy Innovation Day. However, he signed up, passionately pitching his idea with the hope of someone else taking it further and therefore leaving an idea up for grabs. After a quick break for the panel to discuss, the winners of Energy Innovation Day were announced. The panel based their decision upon several criterion, where thorough work in market research, commitment as well as a clear problem definition and solution was evaluated.
A prize of 25. 000 NOK was shared amongst the top three pitches. At third place was Scoped, Enabling energy efficiency and sustainability through transition risk analysis for buildings. Second place went to an individual pitch on how to utilize the restaurant-industry for a more sustainable operation. Lastly, first place went to CPU, representing BI Business School. They presented their idea based on exploring possibilities for generating more sustainable energy through the shipping industry and marinas. The winning team consisted of three guys completing their first year in business development and entrepreneurship.
When asked why they signed up for Energy Innovation Day, the team behind CPU listed interest and gaining experience as the main motivation behind their participation. One of the members learnt about the event through his roommate, who designed the graphic material for Energy Innovation Day. Later he also heard about it through the entrepreneurial ecosystem at BI and reached out to two of his fellow students. They also saw this event as a great possibility to get more involved in the entrepreneurial activities at NTNU.
CPU’s idea was generated from participating at the event, and originally started as something else. However, after calling around and talking to people from the shipping industry, academics, and experts, they tweaked their idea to fit the needs and possibilities within the industry. When asked about their experience from taking part in Energy Innovation Day they state that the learning outcome has been important:
“We see this as a great experience, especially as a first-time thing within a comfortable and relaxed environment. We have definitely learned a lot from this. It is a lot of work and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. You learn to challenge yourself on an entirely new level.”
Alfred, CPU
From generating a new idea, checking market potential to networking, pitching, and getting feedback, their main goal was to gain experience and generally just get better. When asked about how they would like to use the prize, they hope to use the money as a means to better themselves as future entrepreneurs. Uncertain of whether they will go further with this particular idea as for now, they are open to explore the potential in the future. Yet, the range of ideas presented at Energy Innovation Day shows a future of entrepreneurs eager to contribute to a sustainable transition. When asked about entrepreneurs most important contribution to a sustainable future, Simon, one of the panel representatives stated:
”Supporting their words with actions. Society talks about transitioning to a more sustainable future, but few try to create value through it. That deserves a great deal of respect.”
Simon, Higher Executive Officer at Engage
This is definitely a statement proven to be true by the people presenting their ideas at Energy Innovation Day, some of which will hopefully guide us toward a more sustainable future.
The purpose of the event is to encourage curious female students to dip their toe into the vast pool of entrepreneurial possibilities, aiming to clarify what goes into being an entrepreneur and engaging women in starting up their own businesses.
By Vilde Falck Husum
Over the course of four days, from the 19th – 22nd of February, 35 women took part in an intensive process competing for a prize of 25.000 NOK granted by the Aneo contribution. Through the Business Simulator, the participants were met with a full program designed to inspire, motivate, and guide all teams through the process of defining a problem to pitching a solution. In between inspirational talks, food and courses in pitching and design thinking, the teams worked on their business ideas with guidance from assigned mentors from Spark*. When asked about the main goal for the Business Simulator it is clear that providing a safe environment and getting women interested is a key driving force, contributing to Boost Hennes overall purpose:
“The goal of this event is to make people curious and interested in exploring their entrepreneurial spirit and it is a great opportunity to check if this is something you want to take further”
Kajsa, event manager
“Also to make entrepreneurship less abstract and vague. To give people an insight to what it actually is and a safe environment for testing it out properly”
Mari, event coordinator
The leader of Boost Henne kicks off the event
Each day the event started at 3 PM to fit the busy schedule of students from all corners of NTNU. When talking to the six boosters behind the event they are impressed by the participants, stating that they continue working on their ideas even after the program of the day is done. One important part of marketing the event was to show up at all campuses, resulting in a diversity of educational backgrounds. Among the fields of study represented were Economics and administration, Industrial design, Civil and environmental engineering as well as Food science, technology, and sustainability. In addition to making entrepreneurship more available to women, this broadens availability across campuses extending beyond Gløshaugen, which is known to host most of the entrepreneurial activities at NTNU. Mina, social media and marketing manager at Boost Henne, states that the business simulator is a great opportunity to meet new people and likeminded women with similar interests, resulting in new friends, networks and maybe even a new team.
Day one: brainstorming ideas
For most participants curiosity and an interest in exploring entrepreneurship was the main reason for participating. Also, many stated that the availability of the Business Simulator for people without prior experience made it easy to sign up and test out. Further, they agreed that even though it is an intensive process that takes effort, it is a fun experience and a high-quality event with good guidance from the boosters and Spark*, as well as inspirational workshops and talks. In general, the participants were positive to the resources at NTNU for students wanting to develop their own business ideas and startups, such as this event:
“You get a real look into the entrepreneurial field and how things work up-close rather than just hearing about it. Especially when we get to actually do it ourselves”
participant
The participants during a course on market research with DNB
When it comes to the business simulator being hosted by an organization that looks to inspire women, the participants agree that it is a great initiative to spark an interest and engage women to partake in entrepreneurial activities.
“It creates a safe framework for testing out something that is a bit out of the comfort zone, you feel extra welcome when it is hosted by an organization called Boost Henne.”
– participant
As Boost Henne is part of Spark* NTNU their vision is to increase the gender representation in students that seek guidance from Spark*. From 2018 the number of female students has increased from 14 percent to 24, indicating that the project is working. One participant also stated that the Business Simulator is a great gateway for exploring the startup journey for the first time and makes it easier to pursue further in the future by gaining knowledge, experience and network. That is exactly what Boost Henne is working to achieve, to encourage women to take the first step and develop their own businesses and products, something the teams proved they were well equipped for at pitching day.
The winning team UniQ with one of the panel judges
At pitching day the panel, whose assignment was to choose a winning team, was presented and the teams were given an inspirational talk from two of the women in Arealize, to motivate and give one last boost before the grand finale. The panel consisted of representatives from Boost Hennes partner DNB, as well as StartupLab and Aneo.
In the spirit of the event’s focus on diversity, a majority of the business ideas that were pitched were focused on improving societal conditions and bettering everyday life for people with needs that are not met sufficiently today. Implementing design thinking strategies from the first day, many of the teams delved deeper into the root of a chosen problem and presented a solution to improve today’s situation. All teams presented forward-looking and innovative ideas that utilized digital technology, where one of the panel representatives even stated that the pitches at the Business Simulator were above average for the Aneo contribution. However, only one team had the pleasure of walking away with the prize and congratulations are in order for the team behind UniQ, Nurinnisa Ece Erik, Arthiha Thayanantham and Åsta Hereid Ringheim representing Øya Campus with the idea of generating a more interactive audience without compromising anonymity. Although the pitching competition wrapped up four intensive days, the participants unanimously agreed that the experience was inspirational, and many were open to the thought of revisiting their entrepreneurial side in the future.
The Prince Daniel Fellowship is an organization which consists of a partnership between the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences(IVA) and the H.K.H Prince Daniel of Sweden. The main purpose of the partnership is to inspire young people towards entrepreneurship and encourage them to consider the path to start their own business. Because of this, the fellowship were traveling to learn more about which opportunities exist for students and young entrepreneurs.
Before the event at Gruva started, the innovation hub at NTNU, the Strindens Promenade orchestra welcomed the guests with a musical performance where they among other songs played the Swedish known “Pippi Longstrump”. The event hosted by professor Roger Sørheim from the School of Entrepreneurship, introduced the guests to the history behind how NTNU has managed and achieved to develop one of the best eco systems for student innovation in Europe.Sørheim also points out how dedicated the students at NTNU are, and the importance of young entrepreneurs.
Despite an unexpected fire alarm interruption, it certainly did not stop the show! Furthermore the program featured live case pitches from three student-driven startups with roots from NTNU school of Entrepreneurship, showcasing the diversity and ingenuity of young entrepreneurs in Trondheim. Even though the interruption, the students were eager, willingly and energetic enough to pitch their brilliant ideas.
The first startup to pitch were Naya, a social impact startup offering human labeling of high-quality training data for customers developing machine learning models. Naya operates from their main office in Dehradun, India, and their main focus is helping and employing women from slum areas in India by offer them various benefits which can help them break out of poverty.
Nora Antonsen(right), project manager in Naya, gets help from professor Roger Sørheim(left) by holding the computer with the presentation. (Photo: Nicole Linnéa Monavari)
Wepost where the second startup to pitch their marketing idea which uses AI as a marketing technology to help companies better their content production. Their main purpose behind the startup is to empower B2B companies to craft compelling narratives for their different social media plattforms.
The next student to pitch were Anna Mjønerud Gjestvang, Marketing Manager at Wepost. (Photo: Nicole Linnéa Monavari)
The last startup to pitch where Arctic Protein whom wants to make the salmon business more environment-friendly by delivering protein through insect production. The team behind Arctic Protein call themselves insect farmers and by producing and process larvae into protein flour, they want to decrease the salmon industry´s greenhouse gas emissions.
H.K.H Prince Daniel of Sweden were clearly impressed and satisfied by the student eco system in Trondheim and the young entrepreneurs. (Photo: Nicole Linnéa Monavari)
After the pitching, the Prince himself seemed impressed by stating that it was a fantastic event. Even though the fire alarm went off this time, it was all together an incredible day for our innovation eco system at Gruva.
The days were celebrated with speeches, workshops, annual acid test presentations, inspirational talks, sofa chats, food and a banquet. Former students at NSE came from all over Norway to take part in the celebration and to get even more professional input from the innovation environment that grows and grows every year. During the celebration, many focus on the fact that ES is a start-up environment that builds on sharing, both ups and downs. Where those who are involved experience a kind of excessive cheering on each other.
Øystein Widding (left) and Roger Sørheim (right), professors at NTNU School of Entrepreneurship, celebrating the 20th anniversary.
Aksel Morris Bjørnø from class 18 was one of the former students who took part in the celebration. When asked about his experience with NSE, Bjørnø refers to Øystein Widding who said that NSE gives all students superpowers, which also comes with responsibility. This was something Bjørnø himself felt after he finished his master’s degree. He goes on to say that being constantly pushed outside your comfort zone does something to you that a typical course of study wouldn’t. Silje Uhlen Maurset from class 19 says that the commitment, interest, and ability to get something done that she had before was accelerated by NSE and taken to new heights.
Current students also speak highly of NSE. Thomas Klingenberg, class 24 and Herman Jørstad, class 25, describe NSE as a growth arena with many different people who are all welcome and allowed to be themselves. The two students believe that NSE will continue to build on the culture, which Jørstad describes as one of the most important reasons why he applied for the course.
Many new and old students were present to celebrate the anniversary.
The entrepreneurial ecosystem Trondheim has to offer is getting bigger and bigger. There is a culture of sharing that has spread from NSE to other parts of Trondheim, Trøndelag and nationally. NSE ‘s Alumni Association ESAF gets bigger and bigger with each class that starts. It helps to create, maintain, and stimulate contact between previously graduated students, current students, and the academic staff at NTNU’s School of Entrepreneurship. Maurset says that this network, that grows each yare, is important and gives the students something concrete they can reach for.
NSE is a program where students put in many hours, where mistakes are necessary to succeed and where only the most committed get through to the program. The current students Klingenberg and Jørstad are sure that the tough program will be worth it and give them tools they can use later in life. While Bjørnø and Maurset talk unanimously about the mindset as the most important thing they took with them after finishing the program. Maurset says it is not given that things will be done optimally and says you have to do things yourself. What can be done better and how can it be done? Bjørnø also adds that he has brought with him the drive and passion that he felt when he was in the community with the other students. He says he always does his best and then some.
Some of the former students talked about their way forward with startups after NSE.
Change agents are often talked about in connection with the budding entrepreneurs at NSE. For Maurset, this means not assuming others will solve things, but taking responsibility yourself. Even if it can be tough or you think it needs to be taken to another level. Bjørnø also agrees with this and further explains it is someone who stands on the front line and does what needs to be done. The students also agree with this definition but takes it a little further to what difference they want to make. Klingenberg describes a change agent as someone who gives a small impact on what the future will look like. Jørstad agrees and explains further that a change agent is someone who uses some of the time you have here on earth to push a small step forward. He says there are quite a few people here on earth, but that it is quite incredible how much difference we can make, just one of us if we have passion and do the job.
NSE already has many success stories with entrepreneurs who have taken their companies to new heights after the master’s degree. Klingenberg believes that NSE will be defined by several new success stories from the outside. But what makes students proceed in the entrepreneurial environment and also with their original idea? Maurset believes that in addition to the fact that these are people who thrive in the entrepreneurial environment, you are also pushed so hard to find the right idea and test it so thoroughly at the start. One must find reasons why it should fail and perfect the idea. Klingenberg also explains that some have already weeded out those who do not have enough motivation to do this, not to mention everything you learn at NSE that prepares you for startups and entrepreneurial life. Jørstad also ads that being thrown into it right away is important and that failing gives them experiences that they take with them further.
Two days of celebration are over and going forward it looks like NSE and the entrepreneurial community in Trondheim will develop even more and aim for 20 new years.
Popcorn, cotton candy, slush and a mechanical bull wereall present in Gruva at NTNU on 22-23. August to show the playful and spontaneous side of the innovation and entrepreneurial environment that flourishes in Trondheim.
By Pernille Svartveit Osmundsen
With Andreas Hjertaker, leader, and Espen Hegdal, deputy leader, at the helm, FRAM has organised two days of stands and workshops that have attracted many students to peak in on what the innovation environment has to offer. FRAM NTNU is referred to as the innovation house in Trondheim and all organisations involved in innovation and entrepreneurship at NTNU are organised under FRAM.
Espen Hegdal, deputy leader (left) and Andreas Hjertaker, leader (right) of the student organisation FRAM was very satisfied with the event.
Hegdal says they want all students in Trondheim to get to know the entire innovation environment. Both Hegdal and Hjertaker talk about long and busy days before the start of the event, at the same time it has been a lot of fun and they are very satisfied with the event. The two of them have volunteered for several organisations under FRAM and say they do it because they get so much in return. The feeling of getting something back for the effort you put in is part of what they hope people takes with them from these two days. Hjertaker says the aim is to arouse engagement and joy and refers to FRAM’s core values; Play, share, create.
When it comes to the circus theme, it was selected based on how playful FRAM experiences the innovation environment. There is a lot of exciting stuff going on and many committed people around you who love to innovate, Hegdal says. This made them want to create a playful arena where people feel they are entering a circus. He says this is how it should feel when you are in the innovation environment as well.
Hegdal hopes this event will emerge all the activity and the close cooperation there is among the organisations in the innovation environment. FRAM works to ensure that the innovation environment feels like a community and that you can be proud to be part of it. Not only are the innovation days an opportunity for students to get to know the different organisations, it also is an opportunity for the organisations themselves to get to know each other better.
The circus themed event was well received by the participants.
Many organisations and start-ups promoted themselves during The Innovation Days, one of them being Orbit, a student organisation that designs and builds small satellites that are launched into space. Two of the students representing Orbit was Marie Eriksen Grude and Tim Matras. They say they encounter engaged students who are passionate about new and upcoming projects. Grude says the Innovation Days are a great opportunity to both show off within the student community and recruit new members. Orbit is keen to develop and get a hold of new talented people, and The Innovation Days are a great place to meet committed students with an interest in new companies.
Orbit has participated both days and says they have had many fine people come by. They talk about committed students and are pleased they have met so many people who are interested in something as specific as building satellites. They brag about the event and are confident it will tempt new qualified applicants, like it did last year.
The Innovation Days was an opportunity for many student organisations to promote themselves to students and others interested in innovation.
The circus theme was not only well received by the organisations, it turns out it was also a good sales trick to get brand new students to visit Gruva. Two of the students who made the trip to The Innovation Days were Othilie Lunsæter and Mathilde Mikland Ekeberg. The two of them are both in their first year at Mechanical Engineering and were just on their way to a lecture when they saw there was slush coming from Gruva. They thought it was interesting to see all the organisations at the event and inspiring to hear about different start-ups and their achievements.
It wasn’t just students and student organisations present at The Innovation Days, established companies such as SpareBank 1 attended as well. Bente Birkestøl and Solveig Eidsvik Tvedt, who work for SpareBank 1, says they try to be close to the student environment and the innovation environment. They want to show that they have expertise in business development and follow the trends and visions of the future the students are interested in. Birkestøl says there can often be quite a distance between the bank and the student environment, and when they work with the innovation environment, it is important for them to be in the arena where ideas begin to take shape early on.
Several companies were also present at the event to show they are part of the innovation environment and understand what is important to the students.
Students from many different directions has attended these two days, which Tvedt and Birkestøl think is very positive. The two brag about the event and the concept FRAM went with and Birkestøl emphasizes that the success of the event probably has to do with the fact that it is an event by students for students.
Birkestøl says there are many people who are curious about the link between banking and the student environment. There were also many who pitched their ideas and several who asked for advice on how they could start up and how SpareBank 1 could contribute to that. Tvedt emphasizes that SpareBank1 not only provides normal banking services, but also advice and help to start a start-up. It is important for us to let them know we are in Trondheim and it is possible to come down to our office and get advice on ideas, budgeting, accounting, and costs, Birkestøl says.
SpareBank 1 are not newcomers to The Innovation Days and it has been important for them to attend an event like this one to get a sense of what is happening and understand what the students are concerned with. Tvedt says innovation has never been more important considering everything we are facing with climate, war, and crises from all sides. She says it’s extremely important that people want to try fixing everything we face. Birkestøl explains the importance of them leaning a little forward to see what’s around the corner and says they sometimes find potential partners among the students involved in innovation at NTNU.
The Innovation Days concluded the circus event with two well-executed days where Gruva showed itself from its best side, alongside what the innovation environment has to offer. The leaders of FRAM, Hjertaker and Hegdal, emphasizes that if anyone wants to do something a little more out of the ordinary, Gruva is the place to start. And they hope people see that when they get there, they will be met by lots of energy and be introduced to talented and engaged people.
An important part of Engage’s vision is to spread entrepreneurship competence into different disciplines in higher education, so that philosophers, economists, nurses, social workers and engineers, to name a few, can see themselves as a part of the change they would like to see in the world. This is in line with the strategy of one of our host universities, NTNU. Last year, the Pro-Rector for innovation at NTNU therefore asked us to explore the status quo regarding the inclusion of entrepreneurship and innovation in education at the university.
By Gunhild Marie Roald
The report shows an increase in the number of courses that use the word entrepreneur or innovation from 2017/2018-2021/2022. In 2021/2022 the number was 18%. A follow-up study among the educators who use the word entrepreneurship or innovation in their course descriptions shows that there is a need for more knowledge about how entrepreneurship and innovation can be included in different disciplines. Furthermore, it appears that particularly the word entrepreneurship is, by educators and students, often associated with great achievers such as Steve Jobs and Elon Musk, or with construction companies, which shows the need for a wider range of role models and a need to open people’s eyes for what entrepreneurship can be and how it concerns us all.
