About Vebjørn Tandbergs Elektronikkpris

Deadline for entries (new deadline) is 15^th May and the prize will be awarded in Oslo, 1^st June 2016

The result of cooperation between several key players such as Innovation Norway, business and the investor community, the Vebjørn Tanndberg Elektronikkpris was first established and awarded in 2006 to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit in the Norwegian electronics industries.  The prize is not just a diploma and 250 000 NOK.  The winner will also receive assistance from a very talented jury and access to a wide international network with contacts in key markets for further promotion.

The prize is intended to be used to combat the challenges of commercialisation that innovations from the Norwegian electronics industry often face. New products that in time can represent a sustainable knowledge-based industry in Norway meet tough global competition.  That the way to market is demanding is often forgotten in the rush of enthusiasm that comes with the technology`s initial development.  In order to succeed in building a significant market position for the product in a global context then business development should receive just as much attention and resources.

Norway has for many years lead the field in terms of the development of electronics and the use of new microtechnology.  Just some names that could be mentioned are Vebjørn Tandberg`s Radiofabrikk, Tandberg Telecom (Tandberg ASA), Tandberg Data and Tandberg Television, Simonsen mobil, Nera, ASK, Otrum, Q-Free, GE Vingmed and others.

Norway was a trailblazer within mobil electronics and as many know, the foundations for the GSM standard were developed in Norway.  However, as we also know, this has not lead to a Norwegian industry.  Others managed to do this better. The Vebjørn Tandberg prize was established in order to acknowledge that commercialisation and becoming successful in a market are just as demanding as concept creation and technology development.

What it means to win
The winner will be given sum of 250 000 NOK.  But possibly most importantly the jury`s committee members with their backgrounds and skills, will be able to help with the path ahead.

Key points from the prize statutes:
The prize is awarded to the Norwegian electronics company that has, in the jury`s view, been most successful in achieving or securing a significant position for their product or product area in a global benchmark based on submitted plans and the jury`s conversations with three finalists.

 The company that wins the prize will have documented that they have unique technological advantages and also will have shown their understanding for what it takes in terms of skills and resources to achieve their goals.  At the same time they should be able to point to considerable value creation potential for the Norwegian electronics industry.  The prize is awarded to companies that are passed the initial industrialisation phase where the product has on-going sales to partners and customers.

The application submission should include a short business plan that covers a maximum of 6 A4 pages, written in 12 point Times New Roman font, 1.5 line spacing with up to 4 pages of attachments, two of which should be financial plans for the company for the next three years.

Procedure
Potential candidates are all invited to submit their concepts and apply.  The prize is open to all who feel they meet the key criteria.  The winner will be announced during Arrow Norway`s Electronics seminar at Aker Brygge, 1^st June 2016.  The three finalists will be asked to give a 5-10 minute presentation during the seminar before the winner will be announced.

Those interested can send their submissions via Elektronikk`s webstite.

The committee and jury consists of the following people:

Bjørn Ø. Andersen, editor-in-chief Elektronikk (jury chairman)
Frode S. Robberstad, managing director of Arrow Norway AS
Jørn Eriksen, NorXe
Torgeir Waterhouse, director of Internet and new media at IKT-Norge
Roger Dalseg, NCE-MNT
Karl-Christian Agerup, managing director Oslotech AS
Geir Førre, Firda AS

Earlier winners:
2006: T-VIPS
2007: Sonitor Technologies
2008: Electrocompaniet
2009: Jan Chr. Opsahl (Vinner av Vebjørn Tandbergs Ærespris)
2010: WPR Medical (temapris M2M)
2011: Pixavi
2012: Prox Dynamics
2014: Elliptic Labs

Follow developments at elektronikknett.no.  We will publish regular updates about the prize.

The award also has its own website: vebjorntandbergprisen.no