Environmental Technology Scheme, Innovation Contracts

The state owned company Innovation Norway (established 1st January 2004) promotes nationwide industrial development, profitable to both the business economy and Norway's national economy, and helps release the potential of different districts and regions by contributing towards innovation, internationalisation and promotion. Innovation contracts are grants for technology development projects structured as contracts between a Norwegian developer (generally an SME, including start-ups, but occasionally large companies if certain criteria are met) and a potential customer, which can be from any country. The potential customer – called the Pilot Customer – must cover at least 20% of total project costs as a signal that they are dedicated to the project and dedicated to the search for a solution to the specific problem being addressed. In addition, this financial commitment from the Pilot Customer provides some confirmation that there is a good product-market fit. In line with EU state aid rules, grants may cover up to 45% of the development costs incurred by an SME developer, and occasionally this can rise to up to 50% for a start-up.

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