Participants: \u2013 ESSE provides insight, speed, and networking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The participants describe ESSE as a program that strengthens business knowledge, contributes to faster progress, and provides valuable networking and sharing of experiences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u00abI have learned an incredible amount through ESSE. The growth program is Norway\u2019s most important program for agri-foodtech companies, with the best and brightest people.\u00bb
\u2013 Glenda Anfinsen, Founder and CEO of grabEAT<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n\u00abAggrator\u2019s ESSE Masterclasses cover relevant topics and there is always something to learn, (almost) no matter the topic and personal experience!\u00bb
\u2013 Even Zimmer, Founder and CEO of Agrisenze<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n\u00abIt\u2019s like going through an entire school year of corporate development \u2013 it\u2019s also fun.\u00bb
\u2013 Nikolai Ersdal, Founder of Glasir Solutions<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nThe Aggrator's specialist mentors<\/a> has and has been present, and provided strong feedback, here from Simen W\u00f8lneberg:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cI can assure you that there is a lot of exciting activity happening in the Norwegian startup scene in the fields of agrifoodtech and environmental technology. Thanks to Aggrator, the meeting room is now full of innovation, creativity, and knowledge \u2013 and you can all look forward to seeing the results of the work these start-up companies are doing!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nThe growth program for companies working for a cleaner, better world<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
ESSE is Aggregator\u2019s growth program for companies working for a cleaner, better world \u2013 with connections to the research and innovation environment at Campus \u00c5s. The name \u00abESSE\u00bb comes from Norse and means fireplace with extra strong heating<\/em> \u2013 a picture of what happens when ambitious entrepreneurs meet the right expertise and the right people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The goal of ESSE is to take participants from being drive<\/em> the company to lead<\/em> That. We often call it a Mini MBA for entrepreneurs<\/em>Practical, relevant and directly applicable \u2013 not theory detached from your everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ESSE is suitable for companies that come from, or wish to connect with, Campus \u00c5s \u2013 and is particularly suitable for those working on new solutions in the fields of agrifoodtech or environmental technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The program differs from traditional accelerator programs in that there is no fixed, mandatory course. The participants are in different stages \u2013 from student entrepreneurs and researchers to established companies that have come a long way \u2013 and can choose the masterclasses that are most relevant to them right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During ESSE, participants encounter a unique professional community and a strong network across their own industry, maturity, and professional fields. In addition to skills development and practical workshops on topics from their own company, ESSE serves as a networking platform, where companies share experiences, challenges, and solutions with each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An example of two companies that met during ESSE is Wai Genetics<\/a> og New<\/a>, Both are part of Aggrator\u2019s StartUp program and participants in the ESSE growth program. They are now exploring the possibility of combining Wai Genetics\u2019 \u00abwetware\u00bb with Angenovo\u2019s hardware. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nFrom left: K\u00e5re Johan Teigen (Co-founder and CCO at Wai Genetics), Yanwu Guo (Founder of Angenovo) and Dr. Paul J. Midtlyng (NMBU).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\nEach masterclass is structured with lectures from industry experts, workshops where participants work directly on issues from their own companies, and discussions and presentations with feedback in the plenary. This ensures that the learning is both practical and immediately applicable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to the masterclass leaders, Aggrator assists participating companies with their own business developers, partners, and mentors with expert knowledge (see our team<\/a>), and we offer our own follow-up executive workshops when needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nThe Grand Finale: Agrifoodtech Demo Day<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The highlight of the ESSE program is too much for many Agrifoodtech Demo Day in November<\/a>. In this year's Agrifoodtech Demo Day, which was Norway's first, they participated over 100 people<\/a> From startups, business, investors, academia and government agencies. Here, ESSE participants had the opportunity to showcase their technology, make valuable connections and meet potential partners. A selection of companies also had the chance to pitch their solutions on stage, in front of a packed audience and a dedicated investor panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nNorwegian: NMBU Rector Solve S\u00e6b\u00f8 opened the Agrifoodtech Demo Day at Vitenparken, Campus \u00c5s.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\nNorwegian University of Life Sciences Rector Solve S\u00e6b\u00f8 shared on her LinkedIn account after the event: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cWhat a pleasure to open the Agrifoodtech Demo Day. Researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs meet investors and policymakers. The perfect blend to build a resilient future in agriculture in a time when we need to \u00abproduce more with less\u00bb\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat will be new in ESSE 2026?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We improve ESSE every year based on the feedback from participants and our own experiences. ESSE 2026 will include even more interaction between the participants and more practical work directly related to the topic in the company itself. We will also place even more emphasis on the opportunity for tailored problem-solving in executive workshops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The program will also incorporate how to best use AI in the various business areas. We will invite Claude Code courses<\/a> with Norway\u2019s leading expert Simon Strumse on May 12th, and \u00abvibecoding\u00bb \/ \u00abagentic AI\u00bb meetups on May 28th and September 8th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2026, we will combine some of the themes from this year's program, while introducing new masterclasses that we believe are crucial to taking the company from ambition to growth. The first new masterclass will be on May 7th \u00abHow to develop a winning team<\/a>\u00bbIn collaboration with Bekk and Antler. Before the final masterclass and Demo Day, we will also train the entrepreneurs on conducting their own due diligence before meeting the investor \u2013 with the new masterclass \u00abRisk management for growth<\/a>\u00abled by our own Lars La Cour Poulsen<\/a>, In collaboration with Sweco and NMBU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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