Over the last decade, Oslo’s startups and scaleups have created more than 14,000 jobs, accounting for around 15 percent of total net job creation in the private sector.
Norway's private sector as a whole represents about 70 percent of employment in the region, driven by IT services, trade, food, and construction — but it’s the startup community that has become the gateway for many internationals building their careers here.
“It’s a really inclusive, international space. As a foreigner, it can feel hard to meet people at first, but being part of the startup community helps. Everyone treats you as one of their own, even if you’re ‘not one of them,’” says Alyssa Calamari, Head of Marketing at Scalign and originally from the United States.
According to Calamari, that sense of belonging is one reason the startup ecosystem has become a soft landing for many newcomers to Norway’s professional scene. Another is its openness.
“Network your booty off! People in the space are super open and willing to chat. It’s a small community full of passionate people doing cool things — you just have to reach out and learn,” says Calamari
Oslo’s startup ecosystem is tight-knit — which makes it easy to meet people but also competitive when it comes to standing out.
“It’s a small market, which can be both a blessing and a challenge,” Calamari says. “You have to think ambitiously from day one. If your vision isn’t global, it’s tough to survive here. Balancing short-term traction with long-term scalability while finding product–market fit can be tricky.”
That global mindset is a defining trait of the scene.
According to the latest edition of the Oslo: State of the City, Norway’s business culture is famously collaborative and supportive, but the biggest challenge for the city’s startup environment is attracting — and retaining — top talent, especially from abroad.
In fact, some startups have turned this very problem into an opportunity. Companies like Splash, Vouch, and Amby specialize in helping others recruit and retain the right people.
Where to start?
For those curious about breaking into the scene, the city offers several entry points. Startup hubs like Mesh, StartupLab, and Epicenter regularly host free breakfasts, afterwork gatherings, and community events — all great places to meet founders, investors, and peers.
Public agencies such as Innovation Norway and the City of Oslo also play an important role, providing funding, advisory services, and competence development programs to help early-stage companies grow.
And every autumn, Oslo Innovation Week gives a full-scale glimpse into what’s happening across the ecosystem. The week-long conference features more than 50 free events, drawing founders, investors, researchers, and corporate partners from Norway and abroad.
Newcomer to founder
The number of startups and scaleups in the Oslo region has more than doubled over the past ten years, reaching 3,160 businesses in 2023. Some are early-stage ideas, while others are expanding rapidly across Europe. For many, the next step after joining the ecosystem is becoming a founder themselves.
One of them is Kiran Ramaiah, who moved to Oslo from Ukraine almost four years ago when war broke out. Originally from India, with experience in the United States and several international companies including Ardoq, he and his wife decided to start over in Norway. Two years ago, he founded AddMeetings, a tech company based in Oslo.
“The biggest strength of starting a tech business in Oslo is access to a growing startup community,” says Ramaiah. “Oslo also offers strong government support, innovation grants, and a solid tech ecosystem.”
But as he quickly learned, even in a supportive ecosystem, challenges remain. “The hardest part is moving fast and making decisions quickly to compete in the global market. Speed is the biggest challenge when starting out. Additionally, hiring experienced tech talent can be difficult due to high competition.”
His advice to those considering the same path is straightforward: “Build local relationships early. There are plenty of opportunities to network and meet like-minded entrepreneurs. Success in Oslo depends on community trust and active engagement.”
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