The program is led by GCE NODE in close cooperation with Digin and regional partners. It targets technology, industrial and digital companies that want to enter the defense supply chain or increase their defense-related turnover, while leveraging experience from established suppliers and relevant national stakeholders.
The program combines six core activity streams:
1. Supplier and capability mapping, including a simple “Defense Readiness” assessment and a searchable overview of companies and competencies.
2. Network building and matchmaking across industry, R&D environments and public actors.
3. Theme days on market trends, industrial cooperation opportunities, and R&D funding (national and EU).
4. A structured mentor program connecting experienced defense suppliers with companies aiming to qualify.
5. Targeted workshops on requirements such as quality/standards, cybersecurity, procurement processes, and export control.
6. Identifying competence and test gaps and maturing a small portfolio of joint development initiatives.
The ambition is to strengthen regional competitiveness and contribute to long-term value creation and employment growth in Agder, towards an ambition of up to 2,000 jobs by 2036.
Key partners include GCE NODE, Digin, UiA, NORCE, Mechatronics Innovation Lab (MIL), Future Materials NC (FMNC), Motion Mandal and Næringsalliansen i Agder.