“We should align across the Nordics”
The startup scene in the Nordics has taken giant leaps in the last ten years – perhaps most notably in Norway. Anders Mjåset, founder and CEO of the startup community Mesh sees some trends up ahead.
By Camilla Buch
“We should align across the Nordics”
The startup scene in the Nordics has taken giant leaps in the last ten years – perhaps most notably in Norway. Anders Mjåset, founder and CEO of the startup community Mesh sees some trends up ahead.
By Camilla Buch
Looking back, it’s clear that Norway was slower on the ball when establishing itself as a startup hub, compared to the other Nordic countries, Anders says.
“Compared to its neighbours, oil-rich Norway didn’t feel the impact of the financial crisis as early, which made other countries more prone to adapt. Norway has caught up now, though.”
In all of the Nordics, the digital economy has been in a startup (no pun intended) phase during the last 10-15 years but is now coming to a plateau with the super hype of 2022.
We’re now looking at a correctional phase, as evaluations drop significantly, and companies are less keen to invest.
What we currently have is a digital venture scene that is more involved in the business sector, taking up more space in politics and the public sector. It’s evolved from being the little guy, the challenger, to having more influence as a central part of the Nordic society. This evolution has also contributed to larger companies realising the need for digitalisation, innovation and, more recently, climate-focused action.
Anders Mjåset, CEO of startup community Mesh, believes the Nordics will keep a strong focus on impact-driven startups.
Anders Mjåset, CEO of startup community Mesh, believes the Nordics will keep a strong focus on impact-driven startups.
When looking at the future of the Nordic startup scene, Anders believes we need to be better at working across country lines. We’ve seen a lot of organic local growth, but the politics and founder environments should be more streamlined.
“Internationally, the Nordics are seen as one. To really mature and take up space in a global – and digital – market, we should align ourselves politically regarding startups and venture.”
Anders believes the Nordics will keep a strong focus on impact-driven startups, with climate being a driving force, and health-related innovation climbing.
“I think Schibsted has a real opportunity to be one of the biggest forces in the industry when it comes to the startup scene. The combined resources, knowledge from several fields and reach in Schibsted is unparalleled in the Nordics. That’s one of the main reasons Mesh is happy to be a partner to Schibsted, the possibility to push startup innovation in the right direction.”
Obviously, looking into the crystal ball, Anders believes that AI will be a massive part of startup and innovation in the coming years. Proptech, fintech and gaming are also big sectors where the Nordic countries are taking big strides, alongside climate and general impact.
We’ll have more digital-first companies built on venture dynamics, in contrast to a lot of the big slowly built businesses we’ve seen in the past. The revolution of AI will bring a lot of change and innovation, and it’ll be important for all kinds of businesses to keep up.
“I see no reason why we shouldn’t make the same kinds of goals for innovation as we’ve done for the climate – making the same kinds of efforts to modernise and bring society into the future,” Anders says. “And that future is built on the courage to take risks and push boundaries.”
This is Mesh
A Nordic community for the startup scene with workspaces in Oslo, Trondheim and Copenhagen. Schibsted and Mesh have a partnership where we will host events for our employees, Mesh members and their network.
Camilla Buch
Communication Manager, Schibsted
Years in Schibsted: 3
My favourite song the last decade: Chronically Cautious – Braden Bales