Norwegian investors bet little on domestic technology companies
The Norwegian investment firm Verdane has recently raised capital for its newest fund, but very little of the money comes from Norway. Figures show that less than one percent of the total capital was raised from Norwegian investors. This has sparked a debate about how Norwegian money is being invested in the business sector.
Bjarne Kveim Lie, a partner at Verdane, believes that this is not a major problem for their company alone. Nevertheless, he points out that the situation is a sign of a larger, structural challenge in the Norwegian economy. He believes that the lack of Norwegian venture capital for technology companies could hinder innovation and growth in the long term.
Venture capital is money invested in new companies with high potential, but also high risk. Many believe that Norwegian investors are too cautious and prefer to place their money in safer sectors, such as real estate or oil and gas. This means that many Norwegian entrepreneurs must look abroad to find funding for their projects.
The discussion about access to capital is important for the future of Norwegian jobs. When Norwegian companies have to raise capital from abroad, it can mean that ownership and control of the technology are moved out of the country. The question of how to make it more attractive for Norwegian investors to bet on technology will therefore continue to be a central theme in the Norwegian economic debate.