Press release: HRH Crown Prince Haakon takes The Explorer international
For the first time, Norway is introducing a digital marketplace for green technology. The Explorer efficiently matches international needs with pioneering, green solutions from Norway.
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway is launching The Explorer for an international audience at the GreenTech Festival in Berlin on Friday.
Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg unveiled The Explorer last year. It was her government that gave Innovation Norway, in cooperation with the business community, the task of developing this type of matchmaking service.
“The Norwegian business sector has pioneered many green and sustainable solutions and can help to solve some of our global challenges,” says Håkon Haugli, CEO of Innovation Norway.
In one year, nearly 500 companies have registered their solutions, and about 200 solutions have so far been quality assured and published. The Explorer is now ready to enter the world stage.
Launching at a festival for green innovation
The Explorer presents technology across a range of industries. All solutions help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or other negative environmental impact and are directly linked to at least one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“The Explorer accommodates everything from clean energy to sustainable food production,” explains Haugli.
The marketplace is being launched at one of the world’s largest green technology events, the GreenTech Festival in Berlin, on 23 –25 May. Norway is the official partner country for the festival this year.
Electric ships and green data centres
The world’s first electric ferry from Fjellstrand, green data centres from Statkraft and many SMEs and large companies from all over the country can be found on The Explorer.
Newcomer Aquasolis Global is working on water purification and is part of The Explorer. “Aquasolis Global is on The Explorer because we see the benefits of being united on a Norwegian ‘national team’ for green technology. Small and large companies alike can benefit from standing together when we are competing in international markets,” says Ole Sandok, chairman of Aquasolis Global.
About The Explorer
- The Explorer is a digital marketplace for green technology, connecting international companies with Norwegian solution providers.
- Link: www.theexplorer.no
- As of today, some 200 green solutions from Norway are published on The Explorer, and new solutions are added on an ongoing basis.
- The Explorer also features stories from Norway.
- It is easy and free of charge for potential buyers and investors and Norwegian solution providers to register on The Explorer.
- When applying to submit a solution, Norwegian companies must confirm that they follow good business practice, that their solution is green and that their solution contributes to achieving at least one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Each solution is vetted by The Explorer’s editorial team and team of experts.
- The Explorer is run by Innovation Norway and was developed in dialogue with the Norwegian business community, the Ministry of Climate and Environment, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.
- The Explorer has also cooperated closely with UN Global Compact, DNV GL, Sustainia and the Global Opportunity Explorer.
- The Explorer has a strategic advisory board with representatives from Abelia, Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO), DNB, DNV GL, Enterprise Federation of Norway (Virke), Equinor, Finance Norway, Fostech, GCE Blue Maritime Cluster, Grieg Group, Innovation Norway, Ministry of Climate and Environment , Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, Norway 203040, Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO), Norwegian Environment Agency, Norwegian Seafood Council, Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, Statkraft, WWF, X Four-10, and Yara.
- The Explorer also has an external expert advisory board.