LINC - Launchpad for Innovative Norwegian Companies

We encourage Norwegian companies with technology, products or services that may be of interest to the Norwegian, US and allied armed forces to apply. LINC is particularly aimed at early-stage, growth-stage and mature dual-use companies.

Eight selected Norwegian companies addressing critical national security needs for the Norwegian and US armed forces are matched with US service providers to accelerate development, innovation, investment and sales. The programme provides training on navigating the US defence market, direct access to end users, and introductions to key investors and decision-makers in the procurement system.

Participating companies will work with one or more US service providers for approximately nine (9) months – from September 2026 to May 2027 – to make progress in the following areas:

• US business culture and innovation methods in the defence sector – through coaching, advisory, development of pitch materials, and introductions to investors, industry partners and military challenge owners.
• Legal frameworks and protection of intellectual property rights – through consultations with specialist lawyers.
• Military requirements process – through engagement with the Norwegian and US defence procurement systems.
• Funding mechanisms for defence procurement in Norway and the US.
• Prototyping, demonstrations and field exercises – through engagement with Norwegian and US military end users.
• Industrial cooperation (formerly known as offsets) – by working with US defence suppliers to Norway.
  

NADIC, FFI and IN will select eight (8) companies from the applicant pool and invite them to join an initial Scope Development & Definition (SDD) programme phase. During this non-binding phase, NADIC, FFI and IN will work with the companies to explore their specific needs and ambitions before introducing selected US and Norwegian service providers.

The SDD phase will result in a LINC Scope of Work (SoW) with defined time and cost parameters. It will set out the commitments to participating companies, including deliverables and milestones from US and Norwegian service providers. It will also define the companies' commitments to pay the programme participation fee, allocate sufficient resources and undertake the necessary travel within Norway and to the USA.

Once the SDD phase is complete, the LINC cohort will begin working actively with the selected service providers, supported by NADIC. NADIC's support will include participation in a predefined selection of defence trade fairs as part of Team Norway pavilions, as well as monthly progress meetings focused on each company's progress in the programme.

Programme duration: August 2026 – May 2027

• Kick-off in Oslo in early September 2026
• USA programme week #1 | October 2026
  • LINC programme
  • Optional participation in/exhibition at the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) trade show
• USA programme week #2 | April 2027
  • LINC programme
  • Annual Norwegian-American Defense Conference
  • Optional participation/exhibition at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space trade show

Defence conferences and trade fairs identified during the programme period

• Air Force Association (AFA) Air-Space-Cyber (September 2026)
• AUSA Annual Meeting & Exhibition (October 2026)
• ShotShow (January 2027)
• Annual Norwegian-American Defense Conference, also known as the NADIC Conference (April 2027)
• Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space (April 2027)
• Space Symposium (April 2027)
• Modern Day Marine (May 2027)
• SOFWeek (May 2027)
• AUVSI Xponential (May 2027)

The LINC programme covers two (2) tickets per company for the NADIC conference, as well as a 'basic' exhibition package at the AUSA and Sea-Air-Space trade shows.

Participating companies can choose to upgrade their presence at these trade shows for an additional fee, arranged directly with NADIC. Unless approved in advance, participating companies must cover the costs of attending any other identified conferences or exhibitions.

The programme covers additional organised events, such as networking receptions, event dinners and similar activities.

Participating companies must cover all their own travel, accommodation and subsistence expenses.

Participant contribution: NOK 50,000 (estimated total value delivered by the programme: > NOK 750,000 per company).

For companies in a strong financial position

By registering your interest in this programme, you confirm that your company is in a sound financial position and is not an 'undertaking in difficulty' under the applicable state aid regulations. You also confirm that the information provided in the form is correct.