Intoto: Local inspiration, global solution
– We live by the river and have seen up close how much damage flooding can do to the local community, we wanted to create something that can save lives, money and time, says Scott Basgaard, co-founder of Intoto.
Photo: The Intoto team
In 2015, Kvinesdal municipality experienced extreme weather firsthand when the Synne weather system caused severe flooding and devastation in the small village. It took years to recover – both materially and mentally.
– This experience is our driving force, Scott emphasises, it’s our origin!
Coming from a small village shapes your mindset according to Scott, and it has been important for the team to stay grounded in the place where it all began.
– Big things can come from a small place, this mentality runs deep in our team, and it’s important to us to keep that local perspective while delivering solutions to a global challenge. It keeps us close to the problem we’re trying to solve.
Flooding and extreme weather are no longer rare occurences. The so-called once-in-a-century floods are now happening every few years, and no place is spared from the forces of mother earth. There’s no doubt that municipalities and emergency responders around the world could benefit from Intoto’s technology – but finding the right connections and opportunities isn’t easy, especially when you’re based in a small, remote village.
– This is one of the main reasons we’re members of the Smart City Cluster, Scott explains. It helps us stay connected to what’s happening in our field.
Trygve Meyer, Head of Nordic Edge’s Smart City Cluster agrees:
– Intoto is a good example of why companies – especially those from smaller communities, should be part of clusters. It’s easier for us to keep a good overview of the business opportunities, and to connect Intoto with other relevant companies, investors or projects in our extensive, international network, Trygve adds.
Image: Flooding caused by the extreme weather event "Synne" in Rogaland in 2015.
Helping people on the ground see what’s coming
– Roughly half of the world’s population lives in river basins at risk of flooding. Learning how to live alongside the rivers is key, says Scott.
– No one can control the rivers, but we can use tools that alert us to changes – helping us to act.
The data doesn’t lie. With sensors monitoring water levels, combined with open-source data and existing monitoring systems, the Intoto-platform supports intelligent decision-making based on multiple data sources.
– We want to help people see what’s coming, one community at a time. With our technology, we make river and coastal risks understandable, both locally and globally.
Whether it’s a dam that needs to be monitored or understanding how flooding could disrupt daily life, the challenges faced by different communities are often the same. Most have nation-level tools but are instruments tailored to the micro level.
– Our vision is to help the people on the ground. The responders in the municipalities. They need support to see what’s coming, Scott says.
Staying connected with Nordic Edge
– We wanted to have a finger on the pulse of the start-up-world – that’s why we joined Nordic Edge.
For Intoto, feeling that pulse is harder when located in Kvinesdal, and they can’t spend all their time travelling back and forth. Being a part of Nordic Edge means being connected – no matter where you’re based.
– We’ve prioritised joining the bigger events, like travelling to the smart city Expo in Barcelona and Nordic Fund Day. Barcelona was a real door opener for us. The experience would not be the same without Nordic Edge team. Joining something like that together was incredibly insightful and gave us momentum in our business development.
But it’s not just the events – it’s everything in between. From practical advice and follow-ups afterwards, to guidance on which event you should attend next and what specific projects you can join.
– The opportunities range from investor networking to pilot projects or collaborations with other companies in the cluster. Our membership is like a gym subscription – the sky is the limit, but you have to lift the heavy weights to get the results, Trygve says.
As a member, you’re not just connected to the start-up-world – you’re a part of an ecosystem.
Become a member
Join the smart city cluster and gain access to a valuable network, expertise, and events. As a member of the cluster, you will have a dedicated partner focused on your company’s success.
