Peers Around the World: Building a knowledge-driven innovation ecosystem in Lillestrøm

With a name like Kunnskapsbyen – Norwegian for “Knowledge City” – it comes as no surprise that collaboration, research, and knowledge-sharing are at the heart of everything this innovation community stands for. Located just minutes from Oslo, Norway, Kunnskapsbyen Lillestrøm has spent the last 25 years transforming a regional strength in research into a thriving ecosystem of innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. 

In this month’s Peers Around the World edition, we caught up with Inger-Lise Nøstvik, CEO of Kunnskapsbyen, to learn more about how this vibrant business development association brings together municipalities, academia, entrepreneurs, and industry to shape Norway’s fastest-growing region. 

From incubating startups and catalysing clean tech to building international bridges with global innovation districts like White City and 22@ Barcelona, Inger-Lise shares her reflections on leading a triple-helix ecosystem – and on why inclusion, sustainability, and cross-border collaboration are essential for innovation in uncertain times. 

With a name that means “Knowledge city”, knowledge-sharing and engaging multiple partners seem to be an integral part of your ethos. How does Kunnskapsbyen Lillestrøm support its community to share knowledge and how does the organisation promote entrepreneurship and growth? 

Kunnskapsbyen Lillestrøm is a business development association that was established 25 years ago. It was based on the knowledge that a partnership with interaction between participants from all parts of the triple helix model creates innovation and business development. The initiative was based on a report from Cambridge which concluded that the professional expertise and research results from the four research institutions in Kjeller (3 km from downtown Lillestrøm) matched the international elite, and with great potential for creating new jobs. The obvious opportunities were not utilized because of the lack of contact and cooperation with the industry and society, which was a challenge. Therefore, Skedsmo municipality took the initiative to establish Knowledge City Lillestrøm, together with research institutes, businesses, educational institutions, and Akershus County Council, to contribute to business development, increased value creation, growth and prosperity.

Today, we have 200 partners from municipalities, research - and education institutions, venture capital, entrepreneurs, and private businesses. Our innovation district's soft infrastructure is represented by our eight employees. Together with our partners, we develop new business potential and new knowledge through development projects and knowledge sharing meetings. The development projects are focused on renewable energy, battery technology, health, as well as defense and public safety.

In 2015, we established a startup center (Business Lillestrøm) where entrepreneurs receive affordable rent and professional support during their development. In this incubator, we assist entrepreneurs and researchers in piloting their innovations and scaling their ideas. At the moment, we are supporting 35 entrepreneurs.

Since 2015, Business Lillestrøm has demonstrated exceptional results:

• 161 companies have participated, and they now have a turnover of over 1.5 billion NOK. 
• More than 500 jobs have been created 
• A startup survival rate of 76% is double the national average 

What inspires you most about Lillestrøm’s business community, and how do you see its potential evolving in the coming years? Are there any success stories that personally resonate with you? 

The positive energy and the willingness to share their knowledge and experience to develop themselves and the entire region is what excites me most about our business partnership. Our region is located between the capital and the main airport. It is already Norway's fastest-growing region in terms of population and new jobs. Additionally, I see great potential for further growth – since we are only 10 minutes by train from the capital and we have internationally leading research and industry in renewable energy, battery technology, health technology, pharmacy, as well as defense and emergency preparedness in our immediate vicinity

Stena Recycling, one of our member companies, has constructed an innovative facility to reuse and recycle used electric vehicle batteries. High-power batteries commonly found in electric vehicles will be recycled and reused by the company to become a leading European player.

What strategies are in place to attract and retain emerging technologies and startups within the district?

To achieve this, we are in the process of developing an innovation district. For 25 years, Kunnskapsbyen Lillestrøm has been providing soft infrastructure typically found in an innovation district. Together with our partners, we will form the foundation of the innovation district, and Kunnskapsbyen will be the facilitator/gardener in this ecosystem.

Contributing to strategic land development for establishment of physical sites and interdisciplinary collaboration is the next step. We have initiated a project with 21 partners. Among them are 22@ in Barcelona and The White City Innovation District in London. Their willingness to share their experience brings us great joy.

We also have a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with White City. We collaborate on a range of areas and share learnings on our respective approaches to supporting the creation of new start-ups. Our collaboration involves developing cutting-edge approaches to building innovation ecosystems and bringing government, business, and academia together to foster productive cross-sector networks and enable young people to access skills and opportunities, while sharing approaches to support inclusive economic growth.

How has your background in chemical engineering and economics shaped the way you approach leadership at Kunnskapsbyen Lillestrøm? Were there any pivotal moments in your career that influenced your vision for innovation? 

As an engineer and economist, I like to think that factual knowledge is important. Over the years, I have learned that how I communicate is also important – it is not always enough to be technically correct. As a leader, I emphasis open and clear communication, as well as the involvement of those I have with me on my team, developing and working with their strengths. My most important task is to ensure that they thrive, collaborate, and develop their potential. I believe that together, we have created an organizational culture that is open to change and innovation so that Kunnskapsbyen can become the natural center for innovation and business development.

I remember, right after I started, there was an entrepreneur who, for the very first time, got to present his idea at our conference. He was very nervous. It was nice to see that he found support from us. Later, he has often told us how important our support was for him. He keeps coming back to tell us about new innovations and willingly shares his experiences with new entrepreneurs.

Speaking of your unique, multidisciplinary background, how do you see the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and economic viability shaping the future of green business development in Lillestrøm? 

In my view, the connection between social, ecological, and financial sustainability and innovation is of utmost importance. Changes are happening faster and faster. To keep up, we depend on developing the future of business. It must stand on the shoulders of today's business, but we also need to develop new solutions. At the same time, we have a shortage of labour in Norway and far too many people who are outside the workforce. It is important to include those who are currently falling behind – either through further education and retraining or by daring to invest in those who have been out of the workforce for a while.

Collaboration is the key to success. Today's international insecurity makes this even clearer. The partnership in IASP is an important resource for me, and I am impressed by everyone who shares their experiences. It is important for those of us who are starting now. I would especially like to highlight Stephen Cowan, Josep Piqué Huerta, and Lena Miranda. We have greatly benefited from study trips to White City and 22@, and look forward to further participation and exchange of experiences in the unique partnership of IASP.