Our network
Invest in Vestland has an extensive network of partners in our region. This is instrumental in assisting firms that aim to establish themselves in the region.
As Vestland’s s official investment promotion agency, Invest in Vestland has cultivated cooperative relationships with various regional and municipal administrations.
This includes Vestland County Council, as well as the municipalities.
Industry clusters
Vestland county is home to a number of key industry clusters. They work to promote collaboration, inspire innovation, and drive overall growth across multiple sectors.
GCE Ocean Technology is an initiative for the ocean industries. Consisting of more than 120 members and partners, it operates within offshore wind, subsea energy and marine minerals. In addition, it is also involved in several interesting hydrogen and alternative energy projects.
NCE Seafood Innovation is a cluster comprising of companies from the entire seafood and aquaculture value chains. The cluster works to contribute to sustainable seafood growth through tech-driven innovation.
Currently, the counties Vestland, Rogaland and Møre og Romsdal, are working to establish a new maritime supercluster named Blue Quantum Leap. The goal for the initiative is to be a driving force for green energy transition and future-oriented business development in the Norwegian ocean-based industries. Today, these industries account for 80 percent of Norwegian export
Maritime Bergen and Maritime CleanTech are the oceanic transport clusters for the region. Maritime Bergen works to strengthen the region’s position as a blue economy hub through competence building, “blue business” development, sustainability, and digital innovation. Maritime Cleantech serves as a springboard for developing new, eco-friendly solutions for the industry. Zero-emissions technologies and energy-efficient propulsion systems are their key areas of focus.
The Ocean Hyway Cluster is located in Florø, Vestland County, Norway. It serves as Norway’s leading network for maritime hydrogen and ammonia solutions, fostering collaboration and innovation within the industry.
Media City Bergen is a sprawling location in central Bergen, serving as the hub for the Norwegian media cluster. The hub is made up of firms operating within augmented reality, Artificial Intelligence, virtual studios, broadcast technology and advance storytelling tools.
NCE Finance Innovation is Greater Bergen’s fintech cluster. The cluster works to empower a thriving Norwegian fintech ecosystem in Bergen by facilitating tech innovation and collaboration within the financial sector.
The initiative «Seafood Trainee» has had more than 210 candidates in their program, organized by NCE Seafood Innovation. Yearly, the program opens for 30 recent graduates with bachelor/master’s degree in biology, technology, fish health, aquaculture, economics, social science, marketing or Law. Photo: NCE Seafood Innovation.
The Norwegian Oil Spill Control Association (NOSCA) is an innovation cluster dedicated to tackling global challenges stemming from pollution and oil spills. Leveraging decades of experience from the oil and gas sector, NOSCA works to combat the harmful effects of petroleum, organic and plastic pollution.
Overall, these clusters offer valuable guidance and collaborative opportunities within their respective industries. Companies will greatly benefit from their collective knowledge.
Universities and Schools
Education is a cornerstone in Vestland and there are good schools and educational facilities all over the county.
As one of Norway’s most popular university cities, the county’s majour city, Bergen, offers a variety of educational opportunities.
The University of Bergen (UiB) is one of Norway’s biggest universities. Recognised for its academic diversity and high quality of education. It’s also Norway’s largest marine university, housing several world-leading research environments.
Universitetet i Bergen (UIB) is Vestland’s primary knowledge institution. With approximately 21,000 students and over 4,200 employees, UiB is a medium-sized European university. Photo: UIB.
The University of Bergen is an internationally recognised research university with academic diversity and high quality, housing seven faculties. UiB hosts four National Centres of Excellence. The university participates in many national and international centres, as well as coordinates several other centres.
The Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) is another foremost institute for higher learning in the region and cultivates a strong professional environment with a focus on natural, social and health sciences, engineering, teacher education, maritime sciences, culture and sports, economics and management. I addition to Bergen, HVL has campuses at Stord, in Førde, Sogndal and Haugesund.
The Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) is a key Norwegian business school with an international profile and a diverse student body. Recognised as one of Europe’s leading business schools, NHH is both an accredited research environment and a top choice for students wanting to study business administration in Norway. NHH has an international profile and cooperates with 195 universities and business schools in more than 50 countries.
The BI Norwegian Business School is another internationally recognised school of business and management. With campuses in Bergen and other key Norwegian cities, the school is renowned for annually producing graduates in finance, business culture, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Fagskulen Vestland, also known as Vestland Higher Vocational College, is ne of the largest public vocational schools in Norway, with approximately 2,000 students and around 200 employees. The school offers higher vocational education at EQF level 5, which is above upper secondary education. Programs cover various subject areas, including maritime, technical, health professions, and more.
In addition to its stellar institutes of higher learning, Bergen also caters to international students through the International School of Bergen. Created to serve the needs of both Bergen’s local and expat communities, it provides a comprehensive and internationally accredited education for students from pre-kindergarten to grade 10.
The Internation School of Bergen offers students a fully accredited curriculum. Photo: ISB
Havbyen
One Ocean Havbyen Bergen is a partnership consisting of stakeholders from business, academia and the public sector with a focus on sustainable value creation, knowledge and research related to the ocean.
The UN has stated that sustainable development of the world is not possible without clean and rich oceans. The project is therefore linked to Sustainable Development Goal number 14, "Life in the Sea", with the aim of becoming an example for other nations to follow when it comes to solving problems related to oceans, climate and sustainable development.
The project is funded by the City of Bergen, Vestland County Council and the University of Bergen, with an active contribution from the Institute of Marine Research. One Ocean, Bergen Norway consists of almost 80 partners.
One Ocean Week is an annual event held in Bergen, briging together individuals and organizations interested in promoting a sustainable ocean. During this week, there are conferences, meetings, workshops, and various activities focused on pioneering the responsible use of our oceans.
VIS
Vestlandets Innovasjonsselskap AS (VIS), formerly known as Bergen Teknologioverføring AS (BTO), is Bergen’s technology transfer office. VIS is the regional centre of expertise for innovation and commercialisation of research results. It offers a number of services for researchers and entrepeneurs.
Connect Vest
Connect Vest (only in Norwegian) is an independent, non-profit organisation consisting of early-stage investors, advisors, private firms, and public sector organisations. Working within western Norway’s innovation arena, it aims to use its resources and network to help entrepreneurs and small- and medium-sized businesses develop innovative ideas into viable products and services. By connecting them with “people, knowledge and capital”, its overall goal is to stimulate business development and job creation in the region.
Innovation Norway
Innovation Norway is the Norwegian Government's most important instrument for innovation and development within Norwegian enterprises and industries. They support companies in developing their competitive advantage and to enhance innovation. Norwegian enterprises have access to a broad business support system as well as financial means. Innovation Norway provides competence, as well as advisory, promotional and network services. There is a local Innovation Norway office in Bergen.
Invest in Norway
Invest in Norway is Norway’s official investment promotion agency, working closely with Invest in Bergen. Both organisations assist firms aiming to establish themselves in Norway.
Ocean Innovation Norwegian Catapult Centre
Beyond marine research, the region also has a wealth of technical expertise and real-world test environments for the ocean industries.
The Ocean Innovation Norwegian Catapult Centre provides organisations that have proprietary concepts with the means to scale. It offers design, prototyping, testing and verification facilities and services. It also provides competence and access to advanced infrastructure through its own network of collaborative partners.
Research groups
With innovation being a key area of focus, we also have collaborative relationships throughout Vestland’s research community.
The Norwegian Research Center (NORCE) is one of Norway’s largest independent research institutes. With its main office in Bergen, this forward-thinking, multinational organisation focuses on a wide variety of research areas, including energy, health care, climate, environment, society and technology. Their solutions address key challenges for society and contribute to value creation on the local, national and global levels.
The Institute of Marine Research (IMR) is one of the largest marine research institutes in Europe, working as a research, advisory and monitoring body. It’s a neutral knowledge provider, publicing research results both in Norway and internationally. The IMR is a leading supplier of knowledge relating to the sustainable management of the resources in our marine ecosystems and the whole food chain from the sea to the table. Through research and advice, IMR seeks to help society to sustainably exploit the valuable assets in the sea.
The Bergen Offshore Wind Centre (BOW) is a recently opened research centre. Formed by the University of Bergen, it works to drive research and competence on the emerging offshore wind
Vestlandsforsking is located in Sogndal. aims to promote research and development in the region. It serves as an intermediary between local research activities and the national research landscape. The institute focuses on research, development work, and studies commissioned by the public sector, businesses, and research councils. Vestlandsforsking covers various fields, including technology, society, and sustainability. Notably, it leads the Norwegian Center for Sustainable Climate Adaptation (Noradapt), which brings together top climate adaptation research experts in the country.
Local business development initiatives
We cooperate closely with several local business development initiativs that work to foster innovation, development, and new businesses in rural areas across the county. These small business centers provide services such as business advice, help with developing business ideas, market planning, networking, and internationalization at a subsidized cost
Interested on getting in touch with our network?