Incubator manager in Kobben, Henrik Bruvik Sæther, can point to excellent figures for 2024. The technology incubator at the Vestfold Research Park in Horten has been part of the national incubation program under the auspices of Siva since 2013.

-We've had a great year when we look at our KPIs. We've reached all of our targets, and that's it.

Siva is a state-owned enterprise that develops, owns and finances infrastructure for innovation and business development. Last year, a new ten-year period began, and a total of 35 incubators from all over Norway are involved in Siva's incubation program.

Every two years, Siva evaluates how incubators are doing, and ranks them according to a number of criteria, including activity, customer satisfaction, goal achievement and value creation.

The ranking is based on the incubator's performance and potential.

-How much financial support the incubator receives is determined by the county council. Here, Siva's ranking is used as a basis, explains Henrik.

The incubator is doing well in the rankings

This year's Siva ranking was recently announced. The ranking is divided into three proposals, with Kobben in one proposal at the second highest level, because Siva sees great potential in the incubator.

"It's very nice to hear. So we were disappointed when we learned that the county is not increasing the subsidy to Kobben," says Henrik.

In the proposal that will be adopted, Kobben remains at the current level, two steps down from Siva's recommendation. Among other things, the finances of the county municipality are taken into account.

-We believe that we are being placed at a lower level because the county's finances have to be taken into account is wrong, explains Henrik.

Dag Kristoffersen, head of the main committee for industry, climate and environment in Vestfold County Municipality, says the county municipality recognizes the work Kobben does, and says the incubator plays an important role among the policy apparatus.

-We see that Kobben has a very important role for business development in the region, and that the support Kobben provides to companies is of great importance for the companies' establishment, development, growth and commercialization.

Siva writes in its proposal to Vestfold County Council that they recommend increasing the subsidy to Kobben: "Siva's proposal means that Kobben in the county-wide model is placed two steps higher than in the national model. If the county council has the opportunity to unleash the full potential associated with the incubator, Siva's recommendation is to increase the subsidy to Kobben to 6.2 million kroner."

"We will take a closer look at the Siva ranking. It gives a solid ranking of Kobben," says Dag.

In the previous ten-year period, it was Siva itself that set the money pot and distributed it based on its ranking. But this has changed. Now it is the county municipalities that pay out the support, and their pot does not change every year. The reality is that the incubator Kobben can score high on Siva's criteria and do a good job, but not receive any increase in funding from the county municipality.

"We think it's a shame when we can show good results year after year that it's not rewarded. If we are to maintain the high ambitions we have, we are dependent on available resources to continue the good development," says Henrik.

Fantastic year for the incubator

In 2024, 84 companies were affiliated with the Vestfold incubator. This is an increase from 69 companies in 2023. In addition, the incubator contributes to several collaborative projects with the county's policy apparatus.

-Among other things, we finance the incubator program, which is an offer for entrepreneurs throughout Vestfold. This is a collaborative project between us, the entrepreneurial houses in the county and Start i Vestfold, explains Henrik.

As Kobben receives public support, the incubator has the opportunity to subsidize entrepreneurs who use the incubator's offerings. This can include consulting, affordable office space, access to networks and the use of partners.

"For example, we can cover part of the cost if a member company has received external help. We believe this is an important role, and we see it helping entrepreneurs gain the momentum they need to successfully develop their company," he explains.

Offers for growth companies

Kobben also works a lot with companies that are further along in their journey and are ready for the growth phase and all that entails. Because if there's one thing that's important for startups, it's financing, says Henrik.

-Then we have a great offer for growth companies that need financing. Together with Sparebank1 Sør-Norge, we finance the Vestfold Investor Network, which has received a real boost in the past year. Much thanks to skilled project managers, Kjetil and Kristoffer Idås. Kobben assists with marketing and general admin tasks in the network.

The network organizes four pitching events a year, where local growth companies are showcased to investors.

"18 Vestfold companies have pitched in 2024, and several of them have been fully subscribed afterwards. This is a great collaboration we have with the other entrepreneurial houses in the county, Sparebank1 and Tenden Advokatfirma," says Henrik.

The county council provides extra support to Kobben

And the county council meets the incubator halfway. In December, the county council decided to give Kobben 300,000 kroner.

-We appreciate that. It is so extremely important that the county supports us, if we are to be able to maintain the offer for entrepreneurs in Vestfold, and nationally, concludes Henrik.