Companies

Trøndelag's health tech sector is driven by a diverse group of companies specializing in medical equipment, welfare technology, ICT support systems, and more. Concentrated mainly in Trondheim, these companies contribute to both healthcare advancements and regional economic growth. Their involvement spans the entire healthcare value chain, from research and development to distribution and treatment, supported by strong collaborations with academia, government, and investors, creating a dynamic ecosystem for innovation.

There's also the interactive visualizations down below - worth checking out!

• Startups are defined as companies established in 2019 and after.
• Scaleups are defined as companies established from 2017-2018.

Aviant AS, Cimon medical AS, Helseplattformen AS, Palion medical AS, Syngens AS, Tosoj AS, Vitroscope AS, Xphage biosolutions AS, Aible AS, Apiir AS, Helserespons AS, Hemit HF, Lybe scientific AS, Relevio AS, Keimon medical AS, Nadeno nanoscience AS, The life balance company AS, Actential AS, Cate medical devices AS, Enumita AS, In-motion technologies AS, Magomics AS, Qmed norway AS, Internkontroll AS, Medbric AS, Zenit science AS

Audioplus norge AS, Enry AS, Infiniwell AS, Nisonic AS, Nordiq Products AS, Pai Health Norway AS, Vitalthings AS, WTW AS

A key supporter of health tech innovation is The Research Council of Norway (RCN). The RCN funds several key health tech projects in Trøndelag; among the most notable are BulbiEYE by Bulbitech AS, focusing on ophthalmological testing, and Myworkout GO by Myworkout AS, offering digital exercise support for patients with chronic conditions. These initiatives highlight the sector's innovative capabilities in areas such as diagnostics and digital health.

Additionally, the companies are supported by initiatives such as Norway Health Tech, a cluster facilitating the growth of new and innovative healthcare solutions. These initiatives help bridge the gap between companies and promote collaboration.

Entrepreneurs play a crucial role in shaping the health tech landscape in Trøndelag. These innovators bring new ideas and energy, driving the development of cutting-edge solutions to address pressing healthcare needs. Startups and scaleups across the region focus on diverse areas such as medical devices, digital health, and welfare technology.

With strong support from incubators, funding initiatives, and collaboration networks, health tech entrepreneurs in Trøndelag have access to the resources needed to grow. The entrepreneurial community, supported by key institutions such as NTNU, is a key driver of progress, enhancing healthcare outcomes and contributing to the region's economic growth.

While the health tech space has a lot going for it, there are some key challenges that companies are finding hard to overcome.

Navigating a highly regulated industry is one of the greatest obstacles, as ensuring compliance with healthcare standards and regulations requires significant time and resources. Additionally, the need for rigorous testing and validation of products increases complexity, often delaying time-to-market.

Securing funding is another major challenge, as investors tend to be cautious due to lengthy R&D cycles and uncertain regulatory landscape. Moreover, startups need to demonstrate clinical efficacy and scalability to attract investment, which can be particularly demanding for early-stage companies with limited resources, thereby adding to the challenge of raising capital.

A unique challenge facing health tech startups in Norway is the so-called "pilot sickness" (pilotsyken). Many municipalities insist on running pilot projects before committing to new technologies, even when previous pilots have been successful. This repetitive piloting process slows down the adoption of proven health solutions, making it difficult for startups to scale their innovations. As Lars Dahle, CEO of Dignio, highlights, despite successful pilots, municipalities often hesitate to implement solutions, citing unclear benefits across different parts of the healthcare system. Overcoming this reluctance to move beyond pilots is crucial for enabling faster and broader implementation of health tech innovations.

Finally, gaining access to healthcare providers and establishing partnerships can be challenging, as the healthcare sector tends to favor established solutions. Building credibility and demonstrating the value of new technologies requires persistence, strong networking, and a clear understanding of healthcare needs.

​​Navigating a highly regulated industry:

• Ensuring compliance with healthcare standards and regulations demands significant time and resources.
• Rigorous testing and validation of products increases complexity, delaying time-to-market.

Securing funding:

• Investors are cautious due to lengthy R&D cycles and an uncertain regulatory landscape.
• Startups must demonstrate clinical efficacy and scalability to attract investment, which is particularly challenging for early-stage companies with limited resources.

"Pilot sickness" (pilotsyken):

• Many municipalities require repetitive pilot projects before committing to new technologies, even when previous pilots have been successful.
• This slows down the adoption of proven health solutions, making it difficult for startups to scale.
• As Lars Dahle, CEO of Dignio, notes, municipalities often hesitate to implement solutions, citing unclear benefits across the healthcare system.

Accessing healthcare providers and building partnerships:

• The healthcare sector favors established solutions, making it challenging for startups to gain a foothold.
• Demonstrating the value of new technologies requires persistence, strong networking, and a clear understanding of healthcare needs.