Eli Haugerud hold a M.Sc. degree in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Oslo (UiO) and has taken several additional master courses within Design Thinking and strategic innovation, computers science and pedagogy.

Eli has previously worked at Tekna for 12 years and held positions as Head of Innovation, Director of Politics and Head of Professional Societies. She has been developing networks, policies and arenas to share competence and building a better society. Prior to her time at Tekna, she came from a background as a leader in international IT companies and the education sector. Eli also currently holds some positions within tech and engineering organization boards.

In her job at Smart Innovation Norway, she holds the position as Head of Clusters and is responsible for the company’s overall operation of the two clusters, NCE Smart Energy Markets and Cluster for Applied AI. She is a part of the management team and reports to the CEO.

Victoria Næss Jensen holds a MSc in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Norwegian University of Life Science, Ås, with Technology Entrepreneurship from Rice University – Jess H. Jones Graduate School of Business, Houston, Texas.

Formerly, Victoria worked as a PMO for Sykehuspartner’s IT projects to the new hospital, Sykehuset Østfold Kalnes. Her role was to support the management in the program and to support interaction between various projects in Prosjekt Nytt Østfoldsykehus (PNØ).

At her current position as project coordinator in Smart Innovation Norway, she is involved in realizing innovative project ideas, both towards the cluster and towards our incubator.

Victoria works systematically and carry out plans with commitment and persistence, ensuring progress in project activities. She is motivated by innovation, progress, change and improvement.

Marianne Jansson Bjerkman holds a MSc in Food Science from the Norwegian University of Life Science, Ås, focusing on product and process innovation. She has also studied pedagogy and science didactics at Østfold University College.

In the past years, Marianne has been working as a project manager and product developer, first with Orkla Foods Norway in Kolbotn and later Brynild Gruppen in Fredrikstad, developing leading Norwegian brands. During this time, she has also held her own company, working with design.

In her current position as Cluster Leader at Smart Innovation Norway, she is involved in realizing innovative project ideas towards Cluster for Applied AI.

Marianne is motivated by the idea that systematic work with innovation and technology across different sectors can lead to a more effective and sustainable society and business environment. She highly values interdisciplinary collaboration, and aims to put creative thinking into systems.

Nicholas Richards is an advisor, mentor, and serial entrepreneur with ambitions to make the world a better place one step at the time, finding obstacles merely stepping-stones to reach goals.

His career has taken him into many domains and markets: Oil & Gas, e-commerce, IT, print media, digital media, and content management. Working for companies such as Google, Mediaplanet, Clariant, Framfab, and Bredbåndsfabrikken.

On the topic of making an impact, he worked with holistic management of land to reverse desertification together with Allan Savory from the Savory Institute in the UAE, to his strong dedication for charity granting him the opportunity found Target Aid from idea to full-scale digital platform disrupting and digitalizing the charity market in Sweden and becoming a great example how to run a company within the circular economy.

Nicholas graduated from IHM Business School in Gothenburg, Sweden, with a Marketing Diploma (DIHM) BA.

He thrives on working with creative ideas. His in-depth knowledge of designing technical solutions combined with the ability to analyze the business and launch turnarounds creates new customer-centric streams of revenue, aiding new and existing businesses to think outside the box.

Nicholas is passionate about the environment, CSR, charity, philanthropy, and creating technology to offer new ways of improving both people’s lives and the environment – all for the greater good.

Inge Michael Bilet has broad experience from both Norwegian and international business, covering market research, FMC, energy and automobile industry. He has been an entrepreneur and part of large international companies.

In the year 2000, he took a Bachelor’s degree in Export Marketing (Norway/Germany), followed 20 years of experience from sales, marketing, market research, consultancy and innovation. His recent positions were Head of Marketing and Product Development at Fredrikstad EnergiSalg (Fortum) and Sustainability Advisor/Project Manager at Brox Consulting.

As Business Developer at Smart Innovation Norway, Inge Michael is determined to use his experience and expertise to speed up the transition to a circle economy, by helping companies innovate in a slightly faster pace, thus helping to create sustainable businesses.

Inge Michael is a business oriented, creative team player with a passion for sustainability, digitalization, new business models and circular economy.

Tor Ø. Frydenberg holds a M.Sc. degree in Radio Technology and Information Systems from the Norwegian University for Science and Technology (NTNU).

Tor held the position of CEO at Ericsson, Norway from 1999 to 2010, and as Vice President of Ericsson Professional Services in the Nordic and Baltic regions for 5 years in the same period.

Prior to 1999, he served as General Manager of Ericsson Radar, Kongsberg Ericsson Communications and Telettra Norge. Tor began his career as a scientist at Telenor Research & Development.

He is currently serving as an investor, chairman and member of the board for a number of start-up companies. At Smart Innovation Norway, he is engaged as a Special Advisor and Senior Consultant, specifically within the ICT industry.