In early September, a group of Nordic companies traveled to London with Nordic Edge. Through a customised program, the participants had the opportunity to meet potential customers, investors, and business partners, and learn more about what it takes to enter the British market.
The program was built around PropTech Connect, Europe’s largest technology conference for the real estate industry. In conjunction with the conference, Nordic Edge organizes private meetings, industry visits, and social events. A regular feature of the delegation trips is the Nordic Business Mixer, where our companies meet invited guests who are part of their target audience.
“We create the spaces where our companies get their first introduction to a potential investor, customer, or partner. The Nordic Business Mixer is an important meeting place where it’s easier to connect with the right people,” says Inger Hanne from Nordic Edge.
The program also included, among other things, lunch at the Reform Club and a company visit to Endra’s new office in London.
For the participating companies, the trip is as much about getting to know the market as it is about finding relevant connections.
Devspace, Wenn Property, Sparkpark, and Loopfront were among the companies that traveled to London with Nordic Edge. The companies represent different parts of the technology and innovation ecosystem, but they all share an interest in opportunities in the British market.
Knut Sverre Westby from Loopfront is currently following up on contacts made during the trip and has come away with positive experiences:
“The trip gave us valuable insights into the market segment we’re targeting in the UK, including partnership opportunities and sell-through tactics we hadn’t identified through research alone, and it has already changed how we approach the market. Nordic Edge’s program added substantial value to the trip, and without it, I’m not sure we would have made the trip to Proptech Connect at all."
This is precisely the goal of the trip: to provide knowledge and facilitate relevant meetings for companies looking to explore or establish themselves in the UK market.
“We’re here to help our members establish themselves in the market, rather than having them do it entirely on their own. Our role is to facilitate meaningful connections and link them with relevant stakeholders,” says Torill Steinback Hoel from Nordic Edge.
For Benedicte Økland from Wenn Property, these connections became an important part of the experience:
“The value I gained from Proptech Connect in London was doubled by the doors Nordic Edge opened for us through its contacts. We got to meet relevant investors, networks, and other startups working specifically in the construction industry.”
How to Enter the UK, is not just about bringing Norwegian companies to the UK, but also about connecting the Nordic ecosystem. On the London trip, Nordic Edge collaborated with PropTech Sweden, Tech Nordic Advocates, Goodwill, LAIA Ventures, London Business Network, and Proptech Norway to create more entry points into the UK market and facilitate meaningful networking opportunities. The trip thus became part of a broader Nordic collaboration, where multiple players from the Nordic proptech community can connect and meet relevant stakeholders in the UK.
“We strive to work closely with Nordic partners and tailor the trips based on who is participating. This Nordic collaboration is important to us,” says Steinback Hoel.
The UK is a large market, and although in many ways it may seem culturally similar to the Nordic region, there is much to learn for companies looking to establish a presence there.
Nordic Edge has four local partners in London and uses this network to provide participants with insights into the market, while also connecting them with relevant stakeholders. During the trip, participants met with investors, public sector representatives, building owners, facility managers, data center developers, and other innovation ecosystem players, among others.
“Building a network is a long-term effort. It’s about building relationships before you need them, so that you have a solid foundation when the need arises,” says Vikshåland.
For Nordic Edge, networking is therefore about more than just arranging a single meeting during a delegation trip. The goal is to build and maintain relationships that can remain relevant in the long term. Nordic Edge aims to serve as a bridge between these stakeholders.
In early November, the trip heads to Barcelona, where Nordic Edge is inviting small and medium-sized enterprises in the Smart City sector to join a new delegation trip. We’re bringing our experiences from London with us and look forward to create new connections and meetings.
We are ready, are you?
Read more about the upcoming delegation trips here.