The Nordic Innovation Exchange (NIX) aims to strengthen the commercialization capacity of Nordic university research by building a shared support platform for Tech Transfer Offices (TTOs) and innovation offices. While Nordic universities produce world-class deep tech research, much of it struggles to scale commercially due to fragmented support systems, limited peer exchange, and weak international integration. NIX addresses this by fostering structured Nordic collaboration, sharing best practices, and linking to global innovation ecosystems.
The project takes inspiration from the world's leading ecosystem for university-based startups, such as Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCSF, and UC Davis in Silicon Valley. These models combine traditional tech transfer with non-equity incubators, entrepreneurship education, and policies that enable researchers to collaborate with or transition into industry. At their core lies a leadership culture that values impact—a mindset NIX aims to cultivate in the Nordic context, and adopt proven, scalable practices adapted to our regional context.
Partners
Aitoware (FI, Project Leader), Business Finland (FI), Innovation Centre Denmark (DK), Innovation Norway (NO) and Vinnova (SWE).
Background
This project is one of the 20 projects selected from the call for project outlines: Green and Competitive Nordic Region.
