LINC 2026-27 Kick-off

On August 25, we kicked-off the 2026-27 LINC program with high-level briefs from allied governments, armed forces, and industries, as well as company pitches and mini-exhibits from the LINC cohort.

Since 2019, the Launchpad for Innovative Norwegian Companies (LINC) program has helped more than 40 Norwegian companies develop business in the U.S. and allied defense markets and has created value of over 1 billion NOK for LINC alumni.

Supported by the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) and Innovation Norway, the LINC program is administered by NADIC.

Read more about this year's LINC cohort here

During the morning portion of LINC Day 1, we heard keynotes from the following speakers:

Dr. Kenneth Ruud, Director General of the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI)

Per Niederbach, Executive Vice President of Trade and Invest at Innovation Norway

Maj. Gen. Øyvind Kvalvik, Deputy Director General of the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA)

Thomas Falck, Managing Partner of Polarion Capital

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The keynotes were followed by brief pitches from the 8 selected LINC companies, a Norwegian Ministry of Defence presentation, and a panel discussion between legal experts & program partners on protecting intellectual property and how to do business in the U.S, before wrapping LINC Day 1 with a B2B/B2G meeting series.

The LINC companies also had the chance to display mini-exhibits throughout the day for the audience to get more hands-on with with their technologies.

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LINC Day 2 featured a half-day session of U.S. service provider subject matter expert briefs to the LINC cohort.

The LINC service providers are crucial to the success of the program as they provide expertise on the U.S. defense industry & military procurement process as well as set up connections for the LINC companies with key U.S. stakeholders.

Following LINC Day 2, the wider Team Norway network participated at the annual Norwegian Defence and Security Industries Association (FSi) exhibition at Nova Spektrum Lillestrøm.

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Thank you to everyone who joined us for the LINC Kick-off and we look forward to an exciting year ahead!

You can next engage with the LINC 2026-27 cohort in Washington, D.C. for AUSA Week October 8-15.