The first half of 2026 has been rich in content for us at Aggrator. We have received new projects, strengthened our team, contributed with input to national policy development, tested new internationalization initiatives, and welcomed more exciting companies into the incubator environment.
Here are our six highlights from the first half of 2026.
1. New projects will strengthen the agrifoodtech and business development in Akershus
In February, Aggrator was granted support from the Akershus County Council for three new innovation projects with a total budget of 3.2 million kroner. In June, we were also granted approval for a new project with a budget of 2.4 million kroner.
Projects approved in February shall contribute to increased value creation from agrifoodtech in Akershus, make research-based testing and validation more accessible to technology companies, and strengthen the business competence of local food producers in the county.
The latest project aims to promote increased economic development based on new technologies in soil health, reduced runoff from agriculture, and circular value chains.
Together, the projects provide Aggrator with an even stronger foundation for connecting entrepreneurs, research communities, manufacturers, and the business community more closely, and helping to develop, test, and implement more solutions.
2. Clear input on the new national agritech strategy
Together with the partners in AgriFoodTech Norway, Aggrator participated in a brainstorming session at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food in February, in connection with the work on a new national agritech strategy.
Our main message The conclusion was that Norway already has many of the prerequisites needed to build a stronger agritech industry: promising companies, strong research environments, high trust, and relevant technology. At the same time, there is a need for better framework conditions for testing, adoption, and scaling if more solutions are to reach the market more quickly.
We particularly raised three recommendations: a technology-neutral incentive scheme for the early adoption of new technologies, a system for temporary regulatory approval, and a national agrifoodtech program that can contribute to more coordinated development of the sector.
For Aggrator, this is an important part of the work to strengthen the growth conditions for companies that develop solutions for the future food system and green business development.
3. New forces in the team and board
In February, we also wanted Johanne Kloster Ellingsen Welcome to Aggrator as Project Manager. Johanne has experience in biotechnology, entrepreneurship, and business development, including her work with Agoprene. With experience in both technology development and commercialization, she strengthens the team in strategic support, business development, and follow-up of early-stage companies.
Later in the spring, we were also able to welcome three new board members: Ingunn Burud, dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at NMBU, Solveig Fossum-Raunehaug, research and innovation director at NMBU, and Ulf Hustad, senior advisor at Siva.
4. AgriScale Spain went from market insight to pilot offering in three days
In March we carried out the pilot. AgriScale Spain 2026, where Faunus Hub participated in a three-day internationalization trip to Spain.
The program combined market insights, meetings with the support team, targeted customer meetings, and participation at Alimentaria in Barcelona. The goal was to provide the company with faster understanding of the market, relevant connections, and concrete commercial opportunities.
The result was leads, demo agreements, and a commercial offer to one of Spain's largest egg producers.
5. The first five ESSE masterclasses have been completed
We have also conducted the first five masterclasses in the ESSE growth program.
The topics have ranged from funding and team development to AI prototyping, intellectual property rights, and go-to-market strategy. Throughout the spring, participants have met with experienced professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, and commercial experts who have shared concrete tools, experiences, and perspectives on how companies can build a better foundation for growth.
The masterclasses were conducted in collaboration with companies such as Yara Growth Ventures, Sandwater, T:lab, Bekk, Antler, Nxtech, Dehns and BI.
The ESSE program continues after the summer with five new masterclasses, accompanied by introwebinars; on sales and visibility, negotiations, international growth, risk management and pitching. See the full autumn program here.
6. More new companies joining Agregator’s incubator environment
The first half of the year also saw several exciting new companies enter Agregator’s incubation environment.
Among the companies that have become part of the community are Environmental certificate, Lime & Leaf, Arg Bio, Wow, Keen Robotics, UnderFlow, FringeNode and Faunus Hub.
Several of the companies are developing technology and services that address key challenges related to food production, resource use, sustainability, and efficiency.
We look forward to following the companies further and helping ensure that more good solutions are developed more quickly from idea to market.
Have a great summer from Aggrator!
We wish everyone a very happy summer, and look forward to an eventful autumn with, among other things, Arendalsuka, five new ESSE masterclasses, Oslo Innovation Week, and Agrifoodtech Demo Day.
Photo shows the Aggrator team at Campus Ås in June 2026. From left: Vilde Wettergreen, Salvador Baille, Bjarne Tvete, Tone Blixøen, Lars la Cour Poulsen and Johanne Kloster Ellingsen.