11 new clusters join Norwegian Innovation Clusters

‘The clusters foster the innovation partnerships and expertise that Norway and Norwegian businesses depend on. They create unique arenas for collaboration that build trust between businesses, academia, R&D organisations and investors. We need strong business clusters to secure our future competitiveness in a world of major geopolitical change, high energy costs and growing global competition,’ says Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth (Labour Party).

We received 27 applications to join the Norwegian Innovation Cluster (NIC) programme following this spring's call for applications. Of these, 11 were selected and have now been admitted as members.

'The eleven clusters admitted this year all submitted strong applications with clear focus areas and implementation plans that will deliver real value for their member companies. The cluster programme is a success. It is based on the idea of collaborating when you can and competing when you must. Our annual measurements show that companies in a cluster increase their turnover more than companies that are not,' says our CEO, Håkon Haugli.

We run the cluster programme in partnership with Siva and the Research Council of Norway. It offers three programme levels, each lasting three years: NIC Connect, NIC Explore and NIC Impact. Each level has specific objectives to promote collaborative development and growth. NIC Connect primarily focuses on building networks and innovation capacity. NIC Explore builds on the clusters' previous work, with an emphasis on competence building and the capacity to adapt and innovate. NIC Impact sets more ambitious goals for economic growth and prepares clusters for export and scaling.

For more than twenty years, our cluster programme has supported Norwegian clusters in strengthening innovation partnerships, building strong business communities and developing new solutions.

Nordic Edge Agritech Innovation Cluster: An industry-led cluster that helps businesses across the agritech value chain develop, test and commercialise solutions that make agriculture more profitable, climate-resilient and internationally competitive. The cluster connects technology experts, farmers, education, investors and industry, using structured methods and national resources to accelerate ideas from concept to market.

CCUS Innovation: CCUS Innovation brings together the two clusters CCS Innovation and CCUS Norway. It represents the entire CCUS value chain and aims to play an active role in unlocking business opportunities in this field. Its main focus is on carbon capture and storage, the green transition and internationalisation.

Norwegian Addivite Manufacturing Cluster: Additive manufacturing (AM), or industrial 3D printing, makes it possible to produce goods closer to the customer. The cluster offers its members opportunities to collaborate, strengthen their capacity for innovation and increase the use of AM. This will support the green transition, develop competitive value chains and strengthen the position of Norwegian AM solutions in the global market. The primary target group is organisations involved in AM value chains across oil and gas, the maritime sector, defence, construction and healthcare.

Di5: Di5 is a cluster working in defence, security and dual-use. The cluster was established just over a year ago and focuses on the following areas: access to infrastructure and expertise, market access and insights, national capacity and technological autonomy, sustainability and security of supply. 

Norwegian Travel Cluster: The tourism cluster aims to pioneer solutions for the tourism businesses of the future and lead efforts to position Norway as a global leader in sustainable, profitable and competitive tourism. 

Nordsec Cluster: NORDSEC brings together some of Norway's most forward-looking, growth-ready technology and industrial companies, R&D and innovation communities, and national and international partners. Through targeted collaboration, they aim to bridge the gap between market needs and SMEs' delivery capabilities. NORDSEC will address challenges arising from SMEs' limited market and organisational expertise, as well as their restricted access to the defence market and complex procurement processes. The initiative will also help raise the profile of SMEs' environmentally friendly technologies with dual-use potential and strengthen shorter, more resilient value chains. 

Norwegian Wood Cluster: Norwegian Wood Cluster is a member-driven business cluster focusing primarily on timber construction. The cluster addresses several key issues facing the industry, including future building solutions, competence building, digitalisation and automation, sustainability and internationalisation. 

Ocean Autonomy Cluster: This cluster aims to meet the need for new autonomous solutions in ocean industries (energy, transport, defence and aquaculture) that can support demanding operations at sea, underwater and along the coast. The cluster focuses primarily on four societal challenges: protecting the environment by using autonomous solutions to reduce emissions and energy consumption in demanding ocean operations; strengthening safety and emergency preparedness; advancing digitalisation by developing technology for effective remote operation; and lowering market barriers such as a lack of standards and unclear regulations.

Concrete Innovation Cluster (CIC): The cluster is an innovation platform for a zero-emission, circular concrete industry, bringing together the entire value chain. It has attracted growing support and plays a clear role as Norway's only cluster in this field. Its focus is on developing zero-emission concrete, the materials and structures of the future, and circular solutions.

Arctic Cluster Team (ACT): Arctic Cluster Team is a cross-sector industrial cluster with a broad partnership base and strong regional roots. Over several years, the cluster has established itself as an important driver of transformation for industry in Northern Norway. It has delivered several relevant reference projects and benefits from strong member engagement.

Smart City Cluster: Nordic Edge Smart City Innovation Cluster is a hub for companies, cities and research institutions working together to create smarter, more sustainable cities. The cluster works to accelerate the development of sustainable, scalable solutions at the intersection of technology, societal development and the market. It also focuses strongly on creating market opportunities for its members and improving access to capital. 

• Norwegian Innovation Clusters (NIC) is a collaborative programme we run together with Siva and the Research Council of Norway.
• The aim is to strengthen collaboration and innovation among Norwegian companies, enabling them to solve challenges and build competitive advantages together.
• The programme is funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.
• In 2026, the programme will comprise 28 clusters, including 11 new ones. The programme has an annual budget of NOK 125 million.
• Around 3,000 companies are members of one of the clusters in the programme, and they are widely distributed across Norway.