Lyse creates innovation power - through Nordic Edge
- It's about building an attractive Rogaland. Lyse, and we as a region, are dependent on getting good people here. These are the words of Eimund Nygaard, outgoing Executive Vice President of Lyse, when he met Nordic Edge for a chat about his and Lyse's role as active owners.
Image: Terje Eide, CEO of Nordic Edge with Eimund Nygaars, outgoing CEO of Lyse.
Eimund was at the very start of Nordic Edge, when Lyse, together with Smedvig and Sparebank 1 Sør-Norge, joined forces to create a brand new arena for innovation in Rogaland.
When we ask why, he replies that it was simply about creating a market for something new.
- It's good for a region that we have several industries and that we're good at innovation. That bit is powerful. You're investing in your own workplace by helping to build someone else's, explains Eimund.
If not us, then who?
- That was the question we asked ourselves. We looked at which areas it was possible to collaborate with Smedvig and Sparebank 1 Sør-Norge, and how we could make a difference. It would be difficult to do anything separately that would have enough effect," says Eimund.
– The individual municipalities are too small and don't have the budgets to create an arena that can work at the intersection between the public and private sectors. This is where the commercial players with strong roots in Rogaland had to step in.
So they joined forces to start their own innovation company. A professional third party that would bring innovation, development and growth to the region.
- There was a need for a player that could act as a link between private companies, the public sector and academia. This is where we come in, says Terje Eide, CEO of Nordic Edge.
Since 2015, the effect has resulted in members raising over 500 million in investor capital, and over 500 million in funding for innovation projects - to name but a few.
Put simply: Nordic Edge has provided direct growth in companies, jobs and development in Rogaland, and the Nordic region.
Commercial interests, first and foremost
- In order to attract talented people, we must have good, future-oriented jobs. This region has done well for a long time, but we cannot rest on past success. Rogaland should also be the place for new industry, technology and industries. We wanted to be part of that journey, continues Eimund.
How is the partnership and ownership of Nordic Edge part of Lyse's corporate social responsibility?
- To be aware of your social responsibility is to do something beyond what is commercially right, but when it comes to the establishment of Nordic Edge as an arena for innovation and development in the region, we believe that it is the commercial interests that weighed heavily, not necessarily the social responsibility.
An innovation player outside the "house"
Lyse itself has been keen to be a driving force for development and innovation, and has itself had several internal projects and initiatives.
- This is inextricably linked to the mission of Nordic Edge. We have worked with innovation in energy, digitalization, communication, transformation - areas where there is a direct link. The fact that we have a strong smart city cluster right here in the neighborhood strengthens our efforts.
Eimund emphasizes that internal innovation projects are important, but there is no point in each company - large or small - working on this separately. Collaboration across institutions, companies and interests is important if you want to achieve a greater impact.
- Our name is also a commitment, says Terje. An important part of our mission is to dare to challenge the establishment and be a counter voice to "as is" attitudes. In Eimund's view, this will be key in the future.
- If there's one thing we shouldn't give up on now, it's Nordic Edge. We need strong meeting places that bind this region together across the players, not fewer, concludes E imund.
Contact
Terje Eide
CEO
+47 911 42 956
terje@nordicedge.org