Start-up grants (Oppstartstilskudd)

Funding to establish, develop, and scale new businesses

The start-up grants from Innovation Norway are intended to support young companies in different phases of establishment and growth. The schemes are designed to help entrepreneurs:

  • Test their business idea
  • Develop and validate a profitable business model
  • Eventually scale internationally

What the grants have in common is that they support innovative ideas with significant growth potential, projects that cannot be realized without public funding. Funds are allocated on a rolling basis throughout the year from a limited budget. Innovation Norway prioritizes projects that combine high innovation potential with strong international scalability.

  • Start-up grant 1: For companies less than 3 years old that need to test and validate their business idea and market. The grant can cover up to 100% of costs in an early phase, with a maximum of 150,000 NOK.
  • Start-up grant 2: For companies less than 3 years old that need to develop a profitable business model and the first version of their product or service. The scheme covers up to 50% of project costs, up to 1 million NOK.
  • Start-up grant 3: For companies less than 5 years old that are ready to scale internationally. The scheme covers up to 1/3 of project costs related to expansion and commercialization, up to 2 million NOK.
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Startup grants in short

Intended audience Intended audience

Start-up grant 1 and 2: Companies < 3 years old Start-up grant 3: Companies < 5 years old

Application deadline Application deadline

Continuous throughout the year

Funding Funding

Start-up grant 1: 100%, maximum 150 000 NOK Start-up grant 2: 50%, up to 1 MNOK Start-up grant 3: ⅓ of approved project costs, maximum 2 000 000 NOK

Start-up grant themes

Target group: Companies younger than 3 years
Purpose: To map and validate the business idea, test market potential, and build the first part of the business model.
Documentation requirements:

  • Description of the business idea and how it will be tested
  • Market research or planned validation activities
  • Simple project description with goals and activities

Target group: Companies younger than 3 years
Purpose: To develop and document a profitable business model, as well as build the first version of the product or service.

Documentation requirements:

  • Business model and development plan for the technology/service
  • Budget and financing plan showing how own contributions will be covered
  • Clear project description with milestones and measurable results

Target group: Companies younger than 5 years

Purpose: To facilitate international growth through foreign market entry, scaling of the business model, and commercialization. This grant is for companies that have already validated their business model in the domestic market and have received other public funding (excluding SkatteFUNN or Start-up grants 1 and 2).

Documentation requirements:

  • Plan for international expansion, including market strategy and partners
  • Documentation of results already achieved in Norway
  • Financing plan and budgets for international activities
  • Project plan with clear goals and milestones for international growth
  • Often requires professionalization (advisory board, board of directors, external expertise) and a clear international network

Which projects qualify for Start-up grants?

To qualify for Startup grants, projects must meet the following criteria:

  • Innovation: Projects must result in a new product, service, or solution that differs from existing offerings in the market.
  • Scalability: The solution must enable both national and international growth.
  • Value creation: Innovation Norway prioritizes projects that can generate high value creation, new jobs, and export revenues.

How can PNO Innovation support your Startup grant application?

At PNO Innovation, we act as advisors and partners throughout the entire process. Our role is to ensure that your application to Innovation Norway is clear, professional, and tailored to the requirements of each grant stage.

  • Start-up grant 1: We help refine the idea and market definition, and ensure the project description highlights innovation and growth potential.
  • Start-up grant 2: We guide you in presenting the business model, milestones, and financing plan in a way that meets Innovation Norway’s expectations.
  • Start-up grant 3: We support you in structuring the growth and internationalization plan.

Our contribution is to translate your company’s ideas and plans into an application that clearly demonstrates why your project should receive funding.

Start your Oppstartstilskudd application

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