How to turn a local start-up into a global company? In search of an answer, Norwegian Tunnel Safety Cluster and Smart City Innovation Cluster implement the methodology and learning from a 2017 NODE/Eyde Scale-up project.
“Scale-up was a successful project for GCE NODE and Eyde. We are happy to see other clusters adopt the idea and methodology. The development and export of intellectual property serves as an example of what a good cluster organization is capable of,” says Anne-Grete Ellingsen, CEO of GCE NODE.
The scale-up model was based on the experience GCE NODE gained from participating in a Boston MIT project, and meetings with the Scottish Enterprise, which has worked closely with MIT Boston to develop a scale-up model for smaller companies with an international growth potential.
A national pilot was funded by Innovation Norway and 10 companies were selected to participate in the program. Power couples were set up between the scale-up company, a demanding customer and a mentor with international business experience and/or a serial entrepreneur. The program was very successful and it has drawn attention from other clusters.
