Innovation Norway Start-up Grants (Oppstartstilskudd)

Innovation Norway Startup Grant Phase 2 (Oppstartstilskudd 2)

Funds growth-stage Norwegian startups to advance technical development and business feasibility before scale-up.

Innovation Norway's Oppstartstilskudd 2 (Startup Grant Phase 2) is a rolling grant providing up to NOK 1,000,000 to innovative Norwegian startups conducting technical and commercial clarification activities. The program funds work needed to determine whether a proposed solution can form the basis of a profitable, scalable business model. It is the logical successor to Phase 1 (which funds up to NOK 150,000 for market validation), and targets startups that have established initial market interest and now need to resolve deeper technical and commercial uncertainties.

Eligibility is limited to registered Norwegian for-profit companies following a demanding technology development path with significant national and international growth potential. Nonprofits, universities, and individuals are not eligible. The program operates under EU GBER state aid rules registered with Norway's ESA, and any other public support received after an offer — including SkatteFunn — must be disclosed and may reduce the award. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no fixed competition deadlines.

Successful applicants typically present a compelling case that their Phase 1 market validation revealed a real opportunity, and that specific remaining technical and commercial questions — if resolved — would unlock investment or commercial contracts. The NOK 1,000,000 ceiling is well above Phase 1 and reflects the expectation of more substantive development activity. Because there is no stated minimum TRL or company age, early-stage teams can apply, but the program's emphasis on moving toward a profitable business model implies that purely exploratory science projects are not the target profile.