Springfondet's Blog

Springfondet invests in Reactive Metal Particles AS

Christian Holme — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:24:56 +0000

Reactive Metal Particles (RMP) is seeking to solve the scalability and cost issues connected with mass production of metallic nanoparticles. The company has developed a new proprietary production process using the Modified Inert Gas Condensation Technology (MIGC). The RMP process is flexible in terms of which metals the reactor can handle, and has a high degree of control over particle quality and cost.

Reactive Metal Particles AS has received funding to further develop the MIGC technology to develop a low cost, flexible manufacturing method for the continuous production of high quality metallic particles. The founder of the company, Eirik Ruud, has an MSc in material chemistry from the University of Oslo (UiO) and has extensive experience in working with a wide range of technology projects and start-ups.

RMP has in connection with Springfondet’s investment strengthened its board of directors by appointing Dr. Rita Glenne as a new board member. Rita has extensive experience in technology development within the university, institute and private sectors. As Vice President Technology in REC Solar AS and Technology Manager in REC ASA, Rita developed technical specification of processes and production equipment, and executed troubleshooting in start-up phases. She also had responsibility for technology and R&D strategy in REC Solar. Dr. Glenne has a PhD from the Technical University of Trondheim (NTNU) in Material Science. Before joining REC in 2001, she worked as Senior Scientist at Norsk Hydro ASA, and as Research Scientist at SINTEF and the Centre for Industrial Research (SI).

Springfondet is looking forward to working closely with Reactive Metal Particles and Eirik Ruud in developing the company going forward, and we are also proud to welcome Dr. Rita Glenne as a new board member in the company.

Bente Loe appointed new Partner in Springfondet

Christian Holme — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 08:54:40 +0000

Bente Loe joins Springfondet Management AS as Partner on the 1. of September 2011. Bente comes from the position as Investment Director at Ojada AS, a family owned investment company. Bente has long experience from early stage investments from Ojada and Telenor Venture. Her experience includes board positions in both listed and unlisted companies. Bente has been a member of the board of Software Innovation ASA, BankNorwegian ASA, Confirmit ASA and Blom ASA. She is currently a board member of Data Response ASA and Appear TV AS.

Kistefos and Oslo Innovation Center establish new Springfond, Springfondet II, with committed capital of NOK 100 million.

Christian Holme — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:10:00 +0000

Springfondet II will continue to invest in early-stage technology companies from its base at the Oslo Innovation Center (Forskningsparken). Springfondet II aims to invest in about 10 companies over a three year period. Springfondet will actively participate in developing the companies and then seek an exit for its investments.

The new fund II will continue the tight relationship between Springfondet and the Incubator at Oslo Innovation Center and the surrounding community. This includes the relation to the University of Oslo and the Oslo University Hospital through their common TTO (Technology Transfer Office), Inven2. Inven2 is localized at the Oslo Innovation Center, and Springfondet II expects to remain actively engaged in companies coming out of this environment.

“The Oslo Innovation Center is an attractive place to look for new investments” commented Johan Gjesdahl, Managing Partner at Springfondet II. “In Springfondet I we have invested in a number of promising start-ups that have given the investors behind Springfondet and me a firm belief in the possibility to find new companies with unique technology and great potential in this environment”.

From left: Karl-Christian Agerup (Forskningsparken), Åge Korsvold (Kistefos) and Johan Gjesdahl (Springfondet)

Trygve Aasland joins the Promon board of directors

Christian Holme — Thu, 26 May 2011 13:03:38 +0000

Mr. Aasland has a long and successful track-record as a manager at leading Norwegian IT companies. From 2005 to 2009 he was the CEO of the IT-security company Norman ASA. Earlier he held various management positions within sales and marketing at Tandberg ASA. Presently, he is the CEO of Fora Form AS, and also serves on the board of Questback AS. Mr. Aasland holds a Master of General Business from the Norwegian Business School (BI).

Trygve Aasland

Promon making headlines

Christian Holme — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 12:55:12 +0000

Our portfolio company Promon has recently received much attention from media. Below is a compilation of some of the news stories (unfortunately all links are in Norwegian):

In March 2011 Finansavisen interviews Tom Lysemose, the CEO of Promon, about security issues in online banking. Link
In February 2011 ComputerWorld discusses cloud security and Promon presents its technology and solution to the security risks. Link
In December 2010 NRK TV, Radio and Web consult Promon in connection with China blocking internet access to the portals of CNN, BBC and NRK in connection with the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony: Link to web article
In November 2010 both Computerworld and Finansavisen ran stories about Promon’s technology proactively being able to stop the cyber attack on the Nobel Peace Prize website which occurred during the month: Link and Link
In November 2010 Finansavisen runs a story about Promon’s success in the German market. Link

Kappa Bioscience and Danisco sign global marketing agreement

Christian Holme — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 12:18:18 +0000

Danisco and Kappa Bioscience has announced to work in close collaboration on Vitamin K2 MK-7 for the food industry in the areas of bone and cardiovascular health.

“This new agreement between Danisco and Kappa Bioscience will enable the expansion of Vitamin K2 into broad market segments. Not only will this aid the availability of a broader format of end products, it will also increase awareness and education amongst consumers , thus establishing this vitamin alongside many other highly functional and necessary vitamins,” explains Peter Wisler, Director Business Development, Danisco Health & Nutrition.

“Our agreement with Danisco reflects our shared commitment to boosting the portfolio of scientific evidence for Vitamin K2,’ comments Dr Egil Greve, CEO of Kappa Bioscience. “I strongly believe that together we can develop an exciting new ingredient category in the bone and cardiovascular health area, and that industry interest and confidence in Vitamin K2 will grow following this cooperation,” adds Greve.

Please see the press release for more information.

OstomyCure appoints new CEO

Christian Holme — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:35:47 +0000

OstomyCure AS has appointed Geir Christian Melen as its Chief Executive Officer. Geir Christian Melen has significant senior management experience from companies focused on the development and commercialization of novel health care products from his time as CEO at Clavis Pharma ASA and as CFO at Algeta and Photocure. For further information please see the press release.

Protia wins the national DnB NOR Innovation Award 2010

Christian Holme — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 11:00:08 +0000

Springfondet’s portfolio company Protia won this year’s DnB NOR Innovation Award. Excerpt from the jury’s statement: “The idea requires very high professional skills and use of groundbreaking technology. There is no doubt that Protia represents knowledge based industrial development at a high level.” The first price award is NOK 1 million.

Congratulations to the Protia team!

From left: Christian Kjølseth (Protia), Rune Bjerke (CEO DnB NOR), Per Kristian Vestre (Protia) and Skjalg Erdal (Protia)

Ostomycure wins the “People’s Price” at DnB NOR’s Innovation Award

Christian Holme — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 10:57:59 +0000

Ostomycure was the most popular finalist in DnB NOR’s Innovation Award 2010 among internet users. Ostomycure won the online internet poll with 29.4% of the votes. The “People’s Price” award is NOK 100,000.

In addition, Ostomycure came in third in the regular DnB NOR Innovation Award. The third price award is NOK 50,000.

Congratulations to the Ostomycure team!

From left: Johan Gjesdahl (Ostomycure/Springfondet), Henning Mork (Ostomycure), Rune Bjerke (CEO DnB NOR), Christer Jacobsson (Ostomycure)

Protia wins regional final of “DnB NORs Innovasjonspris 2010″

Colbjørn Foss — Fri, 07 May 2010 09:28:58 +0000

Springfondet’s portfolio company Protia won the Oslo final of the yearly “DnB NORs Innovasjonspris” yesterday. As a regional winner, Protia receives a prize of NOK 200 000 and a chance to compete for NOK 1 million in the national final. Read more about the criteria for the award here (Norwegian only).

A total of six finalists were chosen from more than one hundred nominations. Springfondet is pleased to see that five of the six finalists were portfolio companies. We congratulate Protia and all the other finalists!

Finalists from Springfondet’s portfolio (left to right): Christian Møller (Setred), Tom Lysemose (Promon), Egil Greve (Kappa Bioscience), Per Kristian Vestre (Protia) and Christer Jacobsson (OstomyCure)