Strong growth in financial guarantees

We help businesses that want to grow but lack the collateral banks usually require. If your business can service a loan but does not have assets to offer as collateral, you may qualify for our growth guarantee. This may apply to technology companies or service providers whose only tangible assets are office equipment.

We provided NOK 622 million in financial guarantees to small and medium-sized enterprises in the first half of this year, compared with NOK 400 million in the first half of 2024.

'We see an unmet need for capital in the market, which poses a challenge to future value creation and exports. Our role is to address this market failure so that Norwegian companies can seize the significant market opportunities,' says Håkon Haugli, CEO of Innovation Norway.

Companies receive the loan through a commercial bank, while we provide a financial guarantee. In practice, the growth guarantee scheme enables Norwegian banks to take on more risk and offer funding to companies they would not normally finance. The scheme provides banks with sufficient security and limits their potential losses.

We also operate as a bank, providing loans directly to businesses. These loans cover part of the capital needed for startup, innovation and internationalisation projects. Our lending volume also increased from 2024 to 2025.

Global uncertainty has made the support we provide through our international offices even more important for companies operating in international markets. We have also seen increased demand for our Export Centre.

'Uncertain trading conditions are making Norwegian companies more cautious. They need help to reduce risk,' says Haugli.