TheFactory
We are the leading accelerator and early-phase investment eco-system in Norway, running the largest accelerator program in the Nordics - GründerAcademy, as well as SportstechAcade…
TheFactory at a glance
| Address | Nedre Slottsgate 8, 0175 Oslo, Norway |
|---|---|
| Programmes | 3 standing programmes |
| Official website | www.thefactory.no |
Programmes they run
Standing programmes at TheFactory, separate from the funding calls above.
Gründer Academy
AcceleratorA prize-winning, founder-focused general accelerator program that transforms ambitious ideas into scalable startups, offering intensive mentorship, workshops, and network access.
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This free 3-month accelerator program targets Norwegian startups within fintech, proptech, retail, SaaS/business, and impact. It runs twice per year in four different regions (Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger and Kristiansand) with up to 40 participating entrepreneurs. The program includes workshops in product development, expert advice in legal matters, accounting, finance, product development, product design, marketing, and public relations. It also provides community access, meetings with industry experts and business mentors, and assistance in constructing business plans, budgets, cap-tables, and pitch-decks. Post-program support includes regular meetings, network connections, organised business missions abroad, and investor meetings.
Sportstech Academy
AcceleratorAn intensive 6-month accelerator that fast-tracks early-stage sports technology startups into market-ready businesses.
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Over a focused 6-month program, founders receive hands-on mentorship from industry veterans, investor-ready coaching, product validation, access to pilot opportunities, and introductions to a network of mentors and investors. Portfolio companies also gain access to expertise, a global network, and the opportunity to participate in this dedicated accelerator programme.
DefSec Accelerator
AcceleratorA specialized 12-week accelerator program for early-stage startups developing defence, security, and dual-use technologies, focused on investment and market readiness.
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This 12-week specialized accelerator program is designed to help companies become investment- and market-ready, with a strong focus on real-world defence and security needs. It connects startups directly with defence stakeholders, industry partners, investors, and public actors to shorten the path from innovation to operational impact. Founder benefits include expert guidance through targeted workshops focused on product development, validation, and market adaptation. It provides network access to a dedicated ecosystem of entrepreneurs, experts, industry partners, and investors. The program supports founders in developing a clear business strategy, building business plans, financial models, cap tables, and investor-ready pitch decks. It concludes with a Demo Day and offers ongoing post-program follow-up, network access, and introductions to investors and partners.
Incubation tracks
The routes into TheFactory, and what each one includes.
| Track | Type | Space | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gründer AcademyTargets Norwegian startups within fintech, proptech, retail, saas/business, and impact. Runs twice per year in four regions: Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, and Kristiansand. Accommodates up to 40 participating entrepreneurs. | Acceleration | — | intensive mentorship, hands-on workshops, access to investor network, access to partner network, business skills training, validation methods, growth playbooks, workshops in product development, legal advice, accounting advice, finance advice, product development advice, product design advice, marketing advice, public relations advice, access to entrepreneur community, access to experts, access to investors, business plan construction, budget construction, cap-table construction, pitch-deck construction, post-program support |
| Sportstech AcademyAn intensive accelerator that fast-tracks early-stage sports technology startups. | Acceleration | — | hands-on mentorship, investor-ready coaching, product validation, access to pilot opportunities, introductions to mentor network, introductions to investor network, access to expertise, global network access |
| DefSec AcceleratorA specialized accelerator program for early-stage startups developing defence, security, and dual-use technologies, including cyber security, autonomous systems, drone technology, sensors and surveillance, secure communication, field logistics, tactical equipment, and critical infrastructure. | Acceleration | — | hands-on mentorship, tailored technical support, go-to-market support, access to enterprise pilot network, investment-ready pitch coaching, targeted workshops on product development, targeted workshops on validation, targeted workshops on market adaptation, access to dedicated ecosystem of entrepreneurs, access to experts, access to industry partners, access to investors, business strategy development, business plan building, financial model building, cap table building, investor-ready pitch deck building, post-program follow-up |
Support services
Help offered alongside funding and space.
About TheFactory
TheFactory runs Norway's largest accelerator programs and operates as an early-stage investor for technology startups in the Nordics. It is one of the most active early-stage investors in the Nordics, having invested in promising startups across fintech, proptech, greentech, retail, sportstech, and defsec sectors. The organisation supports companies through various funds and investment vehicles, taking an active role with board seats in portfolio companies. It offers programs like Gründer Academy, Sportstech Academy, and DefSec Accelerator, providing mentorship, workshops, access to investor and partner networks, and support for business strategy and market readiness. TheFactory connects founders with expertise in legal, finance, business development, and product growth.
Who they work with
Stage
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Frequently asked questions about TheFactory
What does TheFactory do?
TheFactory runs Norway's largest accelerator programs and operates as an early-stage investor for technology startups in the Nordics. It is one of the most active early-stage investors in the Nordics, having invested in promising startups across fintech, proptech, greentech, retail, sportstech, and defsec sectors.
Where is TheFactory located?
TheFactory is located at Nedre Slottsgate 8, 0175 Oslo, Norway.
What programs does TheFactory run?
TheFactory runs Gründer Academy, Sportstech Academy and DefSec Accelerator.
What stage of startup does TheFactory support?
TheFactory supports startups at the Ideation, Validation and Early Revenue stages.
Recommended grants & schemes
Other open programmes matching TheFactory's focus areas.
