In conjunction with Seed Forum, the Norwegian Embassy in Singapore invited investors, entrepreneurs, businesses and students to an interesting start-up night of presentations and networking at the Ambassador’s Residence.
The concept of Seed Forum was originally established in Norway in 2002 and has since then grown rapidly to a global concept with representatives in more than 40 countries, told the Norwegian embassy on their website. Seed Forum arranges events to match start-up companies seeking capital with investors.
Seed Forum held a separate morning event the same day with experienced investors and ten ambitious entrepreneurs presenting their strategies for the future. The companies pitching to the investors were nominated, trained and selected before presenting their ideas. All the participants were invited for the Embassy’s evening reception.
The evening was hosted by Ms. Thea Martine Ottmann, Chargé d’affaires a.i., proudly promoting Norwegian enterprises and entrepreneurship in the largest Norwegian business community in Asia – namely Singapore.
The Norwegian economy is strong but continuous innovation is important for the economic growth and development. 425 Norwegian companies are active in Asia with more than 200 established in Singapore.
The growing presence of both smaller and larger Norwegian companies in Singapore is highly welcomed by the Norwegian Embassy. The Embassy supports innovation and entrepreneurship and is eager to assist Norwegian start-ups in Singapore, hence the support of Seed Forum. Collaboration is important and profitable for both nations as Chargé d’affaires a.i., Ms. Ottmann, initially noted during her welcoming speech:
“The economic co-operation between Norway and Singapore goes beyond profitable business ventures alone; it is a strategic partnership that helps our nations to stay ahead”.
The evening included a series of short briefs on possibilities for Norwegian start-ups in Singapore. Øyvind Haga from Innovation Norway, Thor Hansen from Mikritho, Steinar Korsmo from Seed Forum, Alf Kenneth Bråthen from Roseberg and Prof Arcot Desai Narasimhalu, Director of the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship of the Singapore Management University shared insights on entrepreneurship and business development in an Asia setting.
These entertaining and informative speeches were followed by drinks, delicious finger food, valuable networking and interesting conversations.
