– The business sector must be built now

Spotify, Novo Nordisk and H&M.

These are three examples of Scandinavian high -growth companies that are at the top of the world. But they are Swedish and Danish, not Norwegian.

Of the 30 largest listed companies in the Nordic countries, only two are from Norway: DNB and Equinor.

Where are the Norwegian high growth companies? They exist. But we don’t have enough enough, and they don’t grow fast enough. They do not keep up with international competition.

Throughout our history, our welfare has been linked to the fact that someone outside Norway has been willing to buy what we have produced. Oil and gas are Norway’s largest export industry, while Norwegian seafood is a clear number 2. But Norway cannot lean on a few dominant industries, and in the long term we will turn off the oil cranes. Then it is important that Norway has more legs to stand on, and that more companies succeed internationally.

We need more high growth companies in Finnmark

There are large regional differences in where the growth companies are. Finnmark has a lower proportion of high growth companies (1.52 per cent) than the average and compared to other counties. This must be changed if Norway is to succeed in the restructuring of business.

We have some high growth companies in Finnmark that inspires. The Lakselv company M3Cargo is a flight disposal for Norwegian seafood with over 20 years of experience in the air freight of seafood and project goods.

The company’s focus is to deliver cost -effective, time -saving and flexible solutions, and had sales of NOK 437 million in 2023.

Both companies are nature -based and strong. Both companies can be an inspiration to other companies who want to grow larger. It will give us enormous opportunities as the world increasingly looks to the north.

Innovation Norway should contribute to more growth -powered companies

On Monday, May 12, the innovation speech – Innovation Norway’s most important annual event will be held. This year’s theme is « Construction is ongoing » and we make up the status of the development of Norwegian business.

At the innovation speech, which is a conference with several good speakers, we address some of the challenges that companies with growth ambitions face:

Innovation Norway will help companies grow large. We fund companies of all sizes and phases, not just start -up companies. We assist with market knowledge from our 24 international offices, as well as advice on customs and trade rules.

With growth -powered companies and good cooperation between public and private capital, nothing stands in the way of the next Spotify coming from Finnmark.

Anne Berit Figenschau

Director

Innovation Norway Arctic