IBC is the number one technology European conference and expo, gathering around 60,000 participants and around 1700 exhibitors to experience cutting edge solutions and industry innovations. This is an important arena for the Norwegian Media Cluster, where several of the cluster companies are present to showcase innovations and solutions, including Bergen based company Electric Friends. This is one of many startups spun off from the entrepreneurial environment around the national commercial broadcaster, TV 2, and grown to a small, but globally leading, player in just a few years.
Electric Friends offers a quantum leap in innovative camera robotics. These unique robots on rails, recently installed in the new, fully automated TV 2 news studio, are completely cable-free and have real-time precise position reporting to all AR/VR systems in the newsroom. The robots are made in Bergen, at the heart of the Norwegian Media Cluster.
The Norwegian Media Cluster and the new headquarter in Media City Bergen, helps fuel innovation power, international growth, and gives the members the tools they need to take pole position In a global media industry.
Watch «The Power of Vestlandet» – a video showcasing cutting edge technology created in the Media Cluster.
Electric Friends is one of many companies who take their innovations to an international market, and at the same time create value and jobs in and around their home region.
The Media Cluster’s cornerstone of success is the members’ spirit of collaboration. Driven by a unique way of working together, combined with the best tools, more than 82 percent of the members launch innovations every year, including award winners and global game changers such Vizrt, Vimond and Sixty. The Media Cluster facilitates growth and innovation, with 18 new startups and 331 new jobs created in 2017.
Collaboration as a competitive edge
The Norwegian Media Cluster enjoys an innovation ecosystem that works extremely well, with a high degree of joint innovation projects and high-speed innovation.
– It has been incredibly important for Sixty to be a part of the Media Cluster over the years. It is a place for competency and job creations, and it provides a growth oriented environment, says Kjetil Horneland, CEO, Sixty.
– The growth potential for new companies in Western Norway is fantastic. For us, it is important to focus on the global market. It tracks back to the NCE Media network that we are a part of. The sharing of knowledge gives us a competitive edge.
– It's all about creating good viewer experiences for the end-users, which we've created for companies like TV 2 and Altibox for many years, Horneland explains.
Open door for its members
The Media Cluster's brand-new Media Lab offers a wide range of services and state-of-the-art facilities, available for free to all members of the cluster.
– The Media Cluster organizes many exciting events. The door is always open. They help provide solutions when we have a need and they provide the network that we don't have. It is a competency pool that we frequently use, says Anders Tomren, CEO, Electric Friends.
A world-leading company located between the fjords
Highsoft is a locally owned technology company located in Vik in Sogn which delivers a diagramming tool for developers and programmers in other companies who wish to visualize data on a web page.
– We have clients all over the world. 82 of the 100 biggest companies on the Forbes Fortune 500 list are also our clients, says Grethe Hjetland, CEO, Highsoft.
– People wonder why Highsoft is located in Vik in Sogn and still manages to reach clients across the globe. The answer to that is simple: This is where we live, she says.
Motivational technology
Motitech has developed Motiview - a motivational tool which stimulates the elderly and people with dementia to increased physical activity, by using video, music and audio.
– The big advantage of the Media Cluster is that they have a good overview of people, talent and technology. We can get connected to the right people when we need input, says Jon Ingar Kjenes, CEO, Motitech.
– I think Western Norway shapes the way we think and act. We are used to looking beyond and seeking togetherness, says Kjenes.
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