Nordic Edge is taking Nordic growth companies to Barcelona to help them build bridges to international markets
How can Nordic technology help address the challenges facing European cities and ports? This is a key question as Nordic Edge brings Nordic growth companies to the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona on November 2–5. The goal is to forge connections that can lead to concrete clients, partnerships, and new business opportunities.
The Smart City Expo World Congress brings together cities, industry, technology companies, investors, and innovation communities from around the world. For Nordic Edge, participating is about using this international forum to connect Nordic companies with stakeholders who can help bring their solutions to market.
“We’re traveling to Barcelona to connect Nordic growth companies with relevant customers, partners, and new markets. Here, we can build relationships that create concrete business opportunities for the companies,” says Torill Steinback Hoel of Nordic Edge.
Solutions to Shared Challenges
The companies in the delegation represent various industries but are developing technology relevant to the challenges many European cities face. These include energy, mobility, infrastructure, circularity, and smarter resource use.
Cities must address everything from aging infrastructure and flood risks to high energy consumption, transportation needs, and more sustainable construction. Here, Nordic technology companies can contribute solutions that enable more efficient use of resources, reduce costs, and meet future needs.
Several of these technologies are also relevant to ports and the blue economy. A port can be viewed as an ecosystem in its own right, facing many of the same challenges as a city—from energy supply and infrastructure to logistics and resource utilization.
More Than Just a Trade Show
Nordic Edge has designed a program to make it easier for companies to find the right contacts and understand the markets in which they want to grow.
The program includes, among other things, a professional gathering on circular and sustainable solutions, the Nordic Business Mixer at Casa Batlló, and visits to selected pavilions. In addition, the Nordic Edge team is actively on the ground working alongside the companies.
“We do more than just take companies to a trade show. We identify relevant stakeholders, engage our partner networks, and facilitate meetings with potential customers and partners,” says Torill.
The work will also continue after the delegation has returned home. Nordic Edge will follow up on relevant contacts and opportunities from Barcelona, with the goal of shortening the path from the first meeting to a concrete collaboration.
From International Meetings to Business
For growth companies, international expansion can require more than just good technology. It’s also about understanding local needs, finding the right partners, and building trust in new markets.
Through this delegation, Nordic Edge aims to create better conditions for Nordic solutions to reach more customers and be adopted on a larger scale.
The goal is not only to facilitate productive meetings in Barcelona, but also to lay the groundwork for collaborations and business opportunities that extend beyond the trade show.
The Smart City Expo World Congress will be held in Barcelona from November 2–5, 2026. See the program and delegation here: https://nordicedge.org/events/smart-city-expo-world-congress-barcelona
Want to know more?
Torill Steinback Hoel
Head of Business Development
+47 900 99 349
torill@nordicedge.org