Investors

We have identified 47 investors in Trøndelag, of which 9 are in health tech. There could be several reasons why relatively few investors in Trøndelag are involved in health tech. A notable factor to begin with is that some investors focus exclusively on the fish farming and seafood sector, which is particularly significant for the region, while others focus solely on the real estate sector. This includes companies like Frøy Kapital and Bewi Invest, totaling six investors who concentrate almost entirely on this area and are therefore unlikely to branch into health tech.

This leaves 41 investors in Trøndelag who are not solely focused on fish farming. Many of these have primary interests in sectors like energy, and for a few—such as Kverva, Staur Holding, SIVA Incubator, and Det Norske Veritas Pension Fund—no active investments were identified. The remaining investors, though not currently involved in health tech, have diverse portfolios worth exploring. Many are invested in technologies such as AI, enterprise software, hardware, autonomous and sensor devices, deep tech, and robotics, which are relevant to health tech. Additionally, several investors have a history of funding projects across multiple sectors, from underwater devices to EV charging solutions. Given this diversity, they may be suitable candidates for health tech investments, as they have shown openness to new industries.

Despite this potential, these investors have yet to enter health tech in Trøndelag. One possible reason is that the region may lack a sufficient number of mature health tech companies with proven track records. Although there are many startups, the ecosystem may not yet have the stability or visibility that investors look for, making it challenging for them to identify opportunities that align with their expectations for readiness and scalability. Moreover, high-growth industries in Trøndelag may limit the appeal of health tech, as other sectors could offer more attractive returns. For instance, investments in fish farming may provide higher yields, an external factor largely beyond health tech companies’ control. However, health tech is evolving, and trends like AI and telemedicine present valuable opportunities. To attract investment, Trøndelag’s health tech sector should focus on these high-potential areas, as investors are drawn to ventures with strong future cash flow potential.

Some investors may also feel more comfortable evaluating general tech investments, such as AI, robotics, or enterprise software, rather than health tech, which requires specialized knowledge of healthcare systems and patient needs. Health tech investments also involve complex regulatory requirements and longer approval processes, which can delay returns and may be seen as riskier than tech sectors with quicker market entry and fewer compliance hurdles. Furthermore, health tech’s intersection between healthcare and technology could increase perceived risk, as it depends on advances in both fields, which may not always align seamlessly. This dual dependency may introduce added uncertainty for investors accustomed to straightforward tech ventures, leading them to require higher returns to justify the perceived risk.