Introduction
Through this procurement Nordic Innovation seeks a supplier/partner that can design and deliver a 6-month ecosystem analysis and mobilisation process focusing on the Nordic innovation ecosystem as a whole. The assignment is expected to address the following dimensions:
- Mapping and Analysis of the Current State
- Ecosystem Challenges and Needs
- Desired Future and Directionality
- Recommendations and Next-Step Opportunities
Deadline for tender proposals: 23 February 2026 at 13.00 CET
Budget: up to NOK 1 000.000 excl. VAT (including all costs)
Timeframe: March 2026-September 2026
1.1 The Buyer
Nordic Innovation is an organisation under the Nordic Council of Ministers working to promote cross-border trade and innovation, located in Oslo. The Nordic Council of Ministers is the official inter-governmental body for cooperation in the Nordic region. With 27 million inhabitants in the Nordic region, Nordic co-operation is one of the most comprehensive regional partnerships anywhere in the world.
Nordic Innovation is implementing the Nordic prime ministers 2030 vision for the Nordic cooperation. Its mandate is to contribute to making the Nordics a leading region for sustainable growth and to increase entrepreneurship, innovation, and competitiveness in the Nordic region. Nordic Innovation supports programmes and projects to stimulate innovation and works to improve the framework conditions for Nordic markets and exports.
For further information, please refer to the following webpages:
Nordic Innovation - http://www.nordicinnovation.org
Nordic Council of Ministers – http://www.norden.org
1.2 Background
The Nordic region is characterised by strong research and education environments, high levels of trust, ambitious companies, and a long tradition of public–private collaboration. Together, these assets provide a strong foundation for innovation-driven competitiveness and sustainable growth.
Despite these strengths, innovation ecosystems across the Nordic countries remain highly fragmented. Support structures, funding instruments, policy frameworks, and ecosystem initiatives are largely organised at national or regional levels, with limited cross-border coordination. As a result, startups and scaleups often face barriers when attempting to grow, scale, and access markets, talent, capital, and infrastructure across the Nordic region and beyond.
In November 2025, Nordic Innovation, Business Finland, Swedish Incubators & Science Parks and Startup Estonia jointly hosted a “Nordic Innovation Ecosystem Pre-Summit” in Helsinki. Discussions at the pre-summit highlighted that while the region possesses exceptional assets, it lacks coordinated structures, shared frameworks, and a unified innovation narrative. Participants from across the New Nordics (Nordic and Baltic region) highlighted systemic fragmentation, overlaps in support models, inconsistent policies and practices for talent and capital, and limited cross-border coordination. The pre-summit served as a testbed for exploring whether stronger ecosystem alignment is both needed and desired, and the day showed a strong appetite for deepened regional coordination, a shared Nordic narrative, and long-term ecosystem collaboration structures.
There is a growing recognition that global competitiveness, resilience, and innovation capacity increasingly depend on well-functioning, connected ecosystems rather than isolated actors or projects. Strengthening coordination and alignment across the Nordic innovation landscape can therefore be seen as a strategic opportunity.
The work is conceptually informed by ecosystem-oriented approaches to innovation, including the “European Innovation Ecosystems” in which the EU “aims to create more connected and efficient innovation ecosystems to support the scaling up of companies, encourage innovation and stimulate cooperation among national, regional and local innovation actors,” as well as Vinnova’s Ecosystem Playbook, which emphasises:
- understanding the current state of ecosystems
- articulating a shared desired future
- identifying concrete gaps and activation pathways
1.3 Purpose of the Assignment
The purpose of this assignment is to lay the analytical and collaborative groundwork for a more connected and aligned Nordic innovation ecosystem. With this initiative, Nordic Innovation seeks to address the fragmentation that prevents the Nordic region from realising its full innovation potential.
Specifically, the project shall:
- Build a shared understanding of the current Nordic innovation ecosystem landscape, including strengths, bottlenecks, fragmentation patterns, and unmet needs
- Identify and analyse the gaps between the current situation and a more connected, effective Nordic ecosystem
- Articulate what a more integrated and well-functioning Nordic innovation ecosystem could look like, without prescribing a single fixed model
- Exploring what tangible benefits and value creation a more aligned Nordic innovation ecosystem could contribute to, particularly regarding the region’s innovation capacity, competitiveness and resilience
- Provide clear, actionable recommendations that can inform for example:
- future ecosystem mobilisation efforts
- Nordic innovation ecosystem summits
- other potential follow-up initiatives
The assignment is intended to support learning, alignment, and mobilisation among key ecosystem actors across the Nordic region. It is not intended to establish another coordinating layer, but rather to contribute with shared directionality.
This tender concerns the first step in a longer-term Nordic innovation ecosystem development process. The ambition of this initial phase is not to design a fully operational ecosystem model, but to establish a shared evidence base, common understanding, and actionable insights that can guide future efforts based on the interest and will of the actors within the ecosystem.
2 The procurement scope and objectives
Overall Scope
The supplier shall design and deliver an ecosystem analysis and mobilisation process focusing on the Nordic innovation ecosystem as a whole. Although this tender refers to the Nordic region, the supplier is encouraged to remain mindful of the broader “New Nordics” context, and to consider involvement of central innovation ecosystem actors in the Baltic countries
The assignment should balance:
- analytical rigor
- stakeholder engagement
- forward-looking recommendations
Key Focus Areas
The assignment is expected to address the following dimensions:
A. Mapping and Analysis of the Current State
- Analyse the current Nordic innovation ecosystem landscape, including key actors, structures, initiatives, and support mechanisms
- Identify strengths, complementarities, overlaps, and fragmentation across countries and ecosystem functions
- Highlight systemic bottlenecks related to e.g. capital, talent, commercialisation, scaling, internationalisation, and ecosystem coordination
This analysis may take the form of a gap analysis or equivalent ecosystem assessment, grounded in ecosystem thinking.
B. Ecosystem Challenges and Needs
- Identify the main challenges that prevent the Nordic innovation ecosystem from functioning as a more unified system
- Analyse root causes of fragmentation (ex. structural, cultural, regulatory, financial, or organisational)
- Clarify where Nordic-level alignment could add value compared to national or regional action
C. Desired Future and Directionality
- Explore what characterises a more connected, effective, and competitive Nordic innovation ecosystem
- Identify shared ambitions, principles, or directionality that could align the ecosystem
- Consider different levels of ambition and time horizons
D. Recommendations and Next-Step Opportunities
- Provide clear, prioritised recommendations for actions to strengthen Nordic ecosystem coordination
- Identify opportunities for concrete next steps, such as:
- objectives for a Nordic innovation ecosystem summit
- potential pilot initiatives or collaborative projects
- Highlight success factors, risks, and conditions for long-term continuity
The supplier should seek to actively engage central ecosystem actors across the region throughout the assignment. Participatory approaches (such as workshops, interviews, thematic workstreams, or other collaborative formats) are strongly encouraged to ensure that outputs emerge from a bottom-up process in dialogue with relevant stakeholders. The supplier is invited to propose engagement formats that foster trust, shared understanding, and meaningful cross-border dialogue, and that enable stakeholders to contribute to shaping both the process and the results.
2.1 Methodology
It will be up to the Supplier to propose how to conduct the task (i.e. design, develop, and run the process). The supplier is encouraged to propose an approach that combines qualitative and quantitative elements, system-level analysis, and participatory processes.
2.2 Deliverables
Nordic Innovation is open to suggestions on the format of the final deliverables provided that the outputs are clear, well-structured, and directly usable for communication, dissemination, and further ecosystem mobilisation.
The final deliverables are expected to include, but are not limited to:
- A synthesis report of findings and recommendations, presented in a communicative and accessible way
- Strong visual and graphical elements, such as visualisations, frameworks, or maps, illustrating key gaps, ecosystem dynamics, and opportunities in a way that supports reuse and sharing
- Action-oriented outputs that can directly inform subsequent ecosystem mobilisation activities, initiatives, and stakeholder engagement
Nordic Innovation particularly welcomes proposals that include a strong emphasis on visual communication and dissemination of findings, such as presentation materials, graphical frameworks, or other formats designed for use across different arenas and audiences. Nordic Innovation encourages the supplier to specify the costs associated with these activities within the proposed budget.
Suppliers are encouraged to propose appropriate formats, graphical approaches, and intermediate deliverables as part of their methodology, including suggestions for how the findings can be effectively communicated and spread in the ecosystem, also beyond the project period.
Nordic Innovation would also like the supplier to be open to participating, by invitation, in the presentation of project findings at potential events following the end of the project period. Any such participation would be subject to mutual availability and agreement.
The final formats and scope of deliverables will be agreed in dialogue with Nordic Innovation. All communication and deliverables should follow the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Design manual: Design manual Nordic Council of Ministers and Nordic Council (norden.org).
2.3 Project duration and process
The Supplier and the Buyer will agree on the specific process and deadline(s), but please see the preliminary timetable below (5.4 Deadline and delivery). However, please note that the assignment should be finalised by 30.09.2026.
2.4 Team profile
Nordic Innovation is looking for a supplier with excellent knowledge of the Nordic innovation ecosystem. Competence in ecosystem building and stakeholder engagement will be important.
The Supplier must have a broad Nordic network, and a Nordic team for the assignment would be an advantage. The Suppliers should be proficient in one of the Scandinavian languages (Danish, Norwegian or Swedish). Experience with Nordic cooperation is an advantage.
The Supplier should have proven experience in relevant fields and documented communication skills. The Supplier can be a single entity, or a consortium represented by a lead partner.
The project manager will be responsible for the planning and execution of the project activities.
3 Procurement value and terms
The procurement value of this invitation to tender is up to 1 000 000 NOK (excluding VAT). This includes all work, travel costs and other costs for the Supplier.
4 Type of Contract and duration
Please note that Nordic Innovation’s General Conditions for Purchase of Services (see Appendix A) will be a part of the contract with the selected Supplier. By delivering a tender, it is assumed that the General Conditions for Purchase of Service are accepted.
5 Administrative provisions
5.1 Tendering procedure
The Supplier is strongly encouraged to follow the instructions contained in this Tender Document, including attachments.
Potential questions must be sent through the Mercell-portal. All questions will be answered anonymously and made available for all who have registered to receive the competition in due time before the deadline of the competition
5.2 The Tender documents
The Tender Document shall be a maximum of 10 pages (excl. CVs). The Tender Document should address the award criteria (please see section 6).
The Tender shall be submitted in English.
5.3 Deadline and delivery
The Tender must be received by the Buyer no later than 23rd February 2026 at 13:00 CET.
Nordic Innovation utilises the electronic procurement tool Mercell. All tenders must be delivered through the Mercell portal. The tender should be in PDF format and/or another Microsoft Office compatible format.
Suppliers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with Mercell’s systems well in advance of competition deadlines. Should you experience any technical issues with Mercell, please contact MTB Contact us - Norwegian - Mercell Support Live.
Please note that the dates can be subject to change.
If necessary, the highest ranked Bidders may be invited to present their tenders and/or to provide answers to potential questions from Nordic Innovation.
Cooperation with Nordic Innovation will be agreed to in more detail at the beginning of the contract period.
5.4 Tender validity date
The Tender shall be valid for a minimum of 90 days as from the submission deadline.
5.5 Cancellation
The buyer reserves the right to cancel this tender at any time.
6 Award criteria and evaluation
All Suppliers that fulfil the formal requirements will be evaluated by an evaluation panel based on the below criteria:
| Award criteria | Documentation and examples of aspects in the assessment | Weight |
| Expected quality of the delivery, methodology. | The Supplier’s understanding of the task and subject matter, including proposed approach, hereunder: Thoroughness Suggested methodologyEase of communication/understandability To be included in the Tender: A plan of how the Supplier intends to solve the assignment, including approach to the analysis and stakeholder engagementProposed time and activity scheduleDescription of how the work will be organised (distribution of roles, including time allocated per person) | 40 % |
| The competence of the designated team. Previous experience. | The Supplier’s overview and experience of relevance for solving the task, including a relevant Nordic network. To be included in the Tender: The offered Suppliers’ educational / professional background (brief CV, max. 0.5 page per person)A short description of relevant references and track record of similar assignmentsQualifications within innovation processes, ecosystem building and stakeholder engagementWork in a Nordic and/or international context. | 40% |
| Total cost and value for money | To be included in the tender: Financial proposal itemising estimated costs for services rendered, travel and meeting costs, and any other costs related to supplies or services required for the assignment. | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
