Andrey Kazakov, coordinator of the High North Young Entrepreneur award at High North Center, Nord University. Photo: Markus Thonhaugen / High North Center.
The High North Young Entrepreneur award has been presented by the High North Center at Nord University since 2018.
The prize was established to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the northern regions, aiming to encourage young entrepreneurs to develop sustainable business ideas that can contribute to regional development.
The next award ceremony will take place during the High North Dialogue in March 2025. The conference brings together business people, politicians, and industry leaders from around the world in Bodø.
Today marks the start of the search for finalists.
– This is a unique opportunity to present to an international audience, says prize coordinator Andrey Kazakov.
– Three finalists are invited to Bodø to pitch their idea. The audience then selects a winner who receives 50,000 NOK.
- Submission can be made by Feb 2025 via this link.
More Than Just Prize Money
The prize money is only part of the reward. Unique networking opportunities represent another major benefit for finalists.
Kazakov explains that next year's conference will focus more on Nordic cooperation, and accordingly, they hope to receive more applications from these countries.
– The northern regions face unique challenges, with scattered populations and limited infrastructure. This is also a region where we see climate changes first.
We need young people with innovative ideas who can contribute to sustainable development
Welcoming Ideas at All Stages
Kazakov welcomes all ideas, regardless of their development stage.
– While it's easier to evaluate market-ready projects, the jury has the expertise to see potential in good ideas still in early stages.
Last year, Bodø company CapiPro won. CEO Samson Steindal Vonen said the prize was important for them.
– Receiving such recognition from an international audience means a lot.
Jury
The High North Young Entrepreneur jury consists of leading experts from across Arctic nations and institutions:
- Marius Fagerli, Innovation Norway Nordland, Norway
- Lisbeth Bjerva, Business Developer, Nord Innovasjon, Norway
- Sheila Downer, Vice-President Northern Community Engagement, UArctic, Canada
- Michael Carey, UArtic Entrepreneurial Fund, USA
- Mads Qvist Frederiksen, Execuctive Director, Arctic Economic Forum
- Maiken Nilsen Stensaker, project leader at Engage SFU, Nord University, Norway
- Alexandra Middleton, University of Oulu, Finland
- Maja Wolland Blomberg, PhD Researcher, High North Center, Nord University Business School, Norway
- Kazakov Andrey, Advisor, High North Center, Nord University Business School, Norway
- Yati Yati, Advisor, High North Center, Nord University Business School, Norway
High North Young Entrepreneur Award
The High North Young Entrepreneur award is an international pitch competition for Arctic-related business ideas, with a prize of NOK 50,000. The next award ceremony will take place during the High North Dialogue conference in Bodø on March 26-27, 2025.
Entrepreneurs up to 40 years of age can participate. The business idea or startup must not be older than five years. While applicants can be from any country, their project must demonstrate clear relevance to the Arctic region. Both early-stage ideas and established startups are welcome to apply.
The competition particularly encourages projects within bioeconomy, clean energy, health and welfare, ocean industries, smart society solutions, creative industries, tourism, and green transition initiatives.
The award's history includes CapiPro from Norway (2024), Norwegian Eagle AI from Norway (2023), Wai Genetics from Norway (2022), Arctic Biotech Oath from USA (2020), 60 Hertz from USA (2019), and The Growcer from Canada (2018).
The deadline for applications is February 5, 2024.
High North Young Entrepreneur Award
The High North Young Entrepreneur award is an international pitch competition for Arctic-related business ideas, with a prize of NOK 50,000. The next award ceremony will take place during the High North Dialogue conference in Bodø on March 26-27, 2025.
Entrepreneurs up to 40 years of age can participate. The business idea or startup must not be older than five years. While applicants can be from any country, their project must demonstrate clear relevance to the Arctic region. Both early-stage ideas and established startups are welcome to apply.
The competition particularly encourages projects within bioeconomy, clean energy, health and welfare, ocean industries, smart society solutions, creative industries, tourism, and green transition initiatives.
The award's history includes CapiPro from Norway (2024), Norwegian Eagle AI from Norway (2023), Wai Genetics from Norway (2022), Arctic Biotech Oath from USA (2020), 60 Hertz from USA (2019), and The Growcer from Canada (2018).
The deadline for applications is February 5, 2024.
