Do you have a business idea that could shape the future of the Arctic?
The High North Young Entrepreneur contest invites young entrepreneurs and startups from around the world to pitch their Arctic-related business ideas at the prestigious High North Dialogue conference in Bodø, Norway. This is your chance to present your vision to leading Arctic experts, investors, and policymakers – and compete for prizes totalling 70,000 NOK.
Key Information
- Application deadline: 15 March 2026
- Final event: 22–23 April 2026, Bodø, Norway
- Apply here: https://nettskjema.no/a/582755
- Travel costs covered for the three finalists invited to Bodø
Prizes
- 1st place: 40,000 NOK
- 2nd place: 20,000 NOK
- 3rd place: 10,000 NOK
All finalists receive a diploma and the opportunity to network with Arctic business leaders, researchers, and policymakers at one of the region’s most important annual gatherings.
Who Can Apply?
We welcome applications from individuals and teams worldwide. You are eligible if:
- You are 40 years old or younger
- Your business idea is related to the Arctic. Ideas and projects based in Arctic regions are automatically eligible, while those from outside the Arctic need to demonstrate relevance to the region
- You or your company can be located in any country and work in any sector
- Your company (if registered) is no more than three years old. Note also that you don’t need a registered company; a strong idea is enough
- You don’t need to be the original idea creator. Applicants can be the idea generator, the person who will execute it, or anyone else involved with the project
Evaluation Criteria
Our international jury will assess applications based on:
- Relevance to the Arctic
- Quality of the project application and business plan elements, which prove that the idea will work
- The innovativeness / originality of the idea
Tip: Tell us why your idea is unique, important, and achievable.
What Happens Next?
- Apply by 15 March 2026 using the online application form
- Jury evaluation: Our international jury of business and innovation experts reviews all applications
- Finalists announced: Three finalists are invited to Bodø (travel costs covered)
- Pitch at the conference: Finalists present their ideas live to conference participants on 22–23 April 2026
- Audience vote: Conference attendees vote in real time; winners are announced at the conference dinner
Important: Finalists must present in person in Bodø. Online pitching is not possible.
About the Contest
The High North Young Entrepreneur contest was launched in 2018 by Nord University Business School in cooperation with Bodø Science Park, inspired by investor Scott Minerd of Guggenheim Partners, who donated his High North Hero Award to support young entrepreneurs. The contest has since become an established part of the annual High North Dialogue conference programme. Innovation Norway Nordland has been a close partner, including funding the prizes for several years.
Jury
The High North Young Entrepreneur Jury consists of the following experts:
- Marius Fagerli, Innovation Norway Nordland, Norway
- Daniel Anton Strøm, Advisor for Research and Development, Nord University
- Sheila Downer, Vice-President Northern Community Engagement, UArctic, Canada
- Michael Carey, UArtic Entrepreneurial Fund, USA
- Mads Qvist Frederiksen, Execuctive Director, Arctic Economic Forum
- Maiken Nilsen Stensaker, project leader at Engage SFU, Nord University, Norway
- Alexandra Middleton, University of Oulu, Finland
- Maja Wolland Blomberg, PhD Researcher, High North Center, Nord University Business School, Norway
- Elena Sæether, PhD, Researcher, High North Center, Nord University Business School, Norway
- Kazakov Andrey, Senior Advisor, High North Center, Nord University Business School, Norway
Previous winners
- 2025 – Marine Spark X, Tromsø, Norway
- 2024 – CapiPro, Bodø, Norway
- 2023 – Norwegian Eagle AI, Bodø, Norway
- 2022 – Wai Genetics, Tromsø, Norway
- 2020 – Arctic Biotech Oath, Alaska, US
- 2019 – 60 Hertz, Alaska, US
- 2018 – The Growcer, Canada
More information
Please contact Andrey Kazakov, HNYE coordinator at the High North Center.