Launched to transform world-class research and passionate founders into the next generation of science-driven companies, The Forge brought together 12 teams and 22 participants from early-stage companies and six Norwegian universities.
Teams received world-class innovation training and a powerful network of peers. Over five in-person workshops and six webinars, participants advanced their market understanding, technology roadmaps and investor readiness.
The accelerator closed with the pitching competition, where the winners were:
- Overall Winner: RESQF7 (University of Oslo & Oslo University Hospital)
- Runner Up: DuctMimic (University of Oslo)
- Best Health Impact: AntiFENT (Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NMBU)
The winning project, RESQF7, led by researchers Benedikte Stavik and Giacomo Roman, is developing a cell-based therapy for a rare bleeding disorder. The jury praised the project for addressing a critical medical need, its unique therapeutic approach, and the potential to expand into related diseases.
“The Forge was an experiment. We made a bet that by bringing together the most exciting biotechnology teams from around Norway, and providing the best in national and international training, we could more rapidly accelerate ideas towards commercialisation. Thanks to the hard work of the organisers and (more importantly) the teams, the bet paid off spectacularly, and we can’t wait to see what’s next,” said Andrew Boyce, Senior Innovation Advisor at Digital Life Norway.
Inven2, one of the programme’s partners, contributed both expertise to the jury and the NOK 25,000 prize for the winning team.
"The Forge accelerator program represents a key milestone in Norway’s biotechnology landscape. Over the past six months, we have seen passionate biotechnology and data science researchers move their groundbreaking science towards innovative, science-driven companies. At dScience, we are proud to have been able to support The Forge and look forward to seeing the teams and programme develop» - Arne Bang Huseby, Centre Leader dScience, UiO
About The Forge
- Duration: Six months (April–September 2025)
- Participants: 12 teams, 22 participants
- Universities represented: University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), University of Tromsø, University of Bergen and NTNU
- Organisers: Aleap and Digital Life Norway
- Funding: Supported by the Innovation Roadmap Project, managed by dScience, University of Oslo