StartOff - The Norwegian Agency for Public and Financial Management (DFØ)

StartOff Norway is a government programme started 2020. The programme supports projects over the course of six months to deliver MVP solutions to government agencies. The aim of StartOff is to facilitate more cooperation between public sector needs and startups as suppliers to solve those needs. The model for cooperation is based on pre-commercial procurement. The StartOff team works actively to recruit public sector entities with needs that cannot be solved by commercial solutions - there is a need for the development of new solutions. The process is designed to be startup-friendly e.g. easier and faster than traditional procurement. The programme is in many ways similar to CivTech Scotland with some Norwegian adjustments. Our website gives more information (in Norwegian) https://startoff.anskaffelser.no/

Networking opportunities: StartOff Norway provides networking opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect with potential partners, investors, and mentors. The organization also offers a co-working space in Oslo where startups can work and collaborate.

StartOff Norway plays an important role in promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in Norway. The organization's focus on providing support and resources to early-stage startups helps to create new opportunities for innovation and economic growth in the country.

Projects:

Gaming Park (Qvisten and Stargate media): Larvik wanted to gamify a park area. By digitising a physical outdoor area, attaching a storyline, their goal is to activate the young gamers in the municipality for better health, and social skills. Two suppliers founded a new startup for this project. Meta sent a large delegation from L.A to study the result.

Young adults in to work (Frisk Utvikling): Young adults under the age of 30, a lot of them with little or no formal education, is a prioritised segment for NAV. In this project they found a new way to provide clients active participation and ownership of their own journey back into work and studies.

Digital Surveillance infrastructure (Autility): The engineering department in Kristiansand municipality found a solution that utilises sensors to survey water, sewage and so on. The solution created allows for quicker and more well informed decisions regarding the surveillance of the city’s infrastructure. 

Project Model at a Glance:

Operational Efforts and responsibilities

Project role: Project management from start to finish – Time-planning, securing resources/involvement with client, meetings and activities, etc. Responsible for market dialogue, publication of the tender and drafting contract, evaluation of offers, securing contract signing, building skills with the client and supplier. Assisting the procurement phase and commercialisation. Develop tender documents and contract measures. Project awareness, client + supplier recruitment, loss-reviews, marketing of end-products, exit phase assistance.

Location
Oslo, Norway

Nature of programme or organisation
G2B Innovation Promotion

Position
Part of central government

Geographical area covered
Norway

Size of Team
7

Website
circularregions.org/initiatives/startoff/

Email
SisselKristin.Hoel@dfo.no

Twitter
@DFO_godstyring

LinkedIn
StartOff DFO