Life Science Growth House is open
UiO, Life Science Growth House/Fartein Rudjord.
Tailored counseling, funding assistance, and innovation hangouts are part of the innovation package offered by the new Life Science Growth House at the University of Oslo.
“The Life Science Growth House is about utilizing the research. We are good at research, but we can become even better at transferring that knowledge to innovation and making use of it in society,” said Svein Stølen, Rector of the University of Oslo (UiO), when the Life Science Growth House was officially opened 17 Febryary 2022, according to an article in Titan.uio.no.
The new Growth House is going to have an open door with low-threshold services for researchers and students. They will have tailored counseling, including e.g. an assessment of the maturity and relevance of an idea, possible seed funding or external funding, possible collaborations with others in the UiOs innovation ecosystem, including mentoring and business partnerships, and ultimately possible meeting places, seminars, and competence courses.
Just another collaboration platform?
Ketil Widerberg, General Manager of Oslo Cancer Cluster, welcomed the Life Science Growth House into the innovation ecosystem around UiO with these words from the stage at the opening event:
“Do we really need more initiatives for collaboration between academia and industry? The simple answer is yes.”
He stressed the importance of start-up companies as a natural sequel to good academic ideas.
“Too often ideas are hidden and forgotten in academia. Companies are only invited to “whitewash” and secure money from the Norwegian Research Council for research that is already planned in detail. Good ideas are out-licensed early on to secure next year’s budget instead of invested in Norwegian start-ups. Academics have to fight the system daily to be able to contribute to development,” he continued in his speech.
Ketil Widerberg speaking at the opening. Photo: UiO/Fartein Rudjord
Innovation hangouts
The Life Science Growth House will arrange innovation hangouts four times per year. This is an informal meeting place where students and researchers from the university may interact with actors from the public sector, hospitals, companies, mentors, business clusters, and incubators in their innovation ecosystem – like Oslo Cancer Cluster and our incubator! The hangouts include inspirational talks, matchmaking, food and beverage, and mingling.
The first innovation hangout is with Oslo Cancer Cluster. It will take place in the afternoon of 21 April. Save the date!
Read more about the first innovation hangout.
Read more
- Interested in knowing more? Send an e-mail to innovation@lifesciencegrowthhouse.uio.no. Requests are read continuously by their innovation advisers. They will normally get back to you within two working days.
- For more information about the services provided, please visit the Life Science Growth House webpage in English or in Norwegian.
