New clustermember: Aim to create market opportunities for Norwegian sustainable solutions in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. We have no time to waste!

Valley Voice – a column where our cluster members are in focus. What are they doing right now? How are they contributing to the Energy Transition? And which challenges and opportunities lay ahead?  

– We have no time to waste, says Ole Christian Ruge, Managing Director of Denova Impuls, and have just become part of our cluster. The consulting company supports Norwegian companies to expand in the German, Austrian and Switzerland markets – with a focus on health tech, new energy systems, and defence technology. 

1. What are you doing right now?

Right now, I am analysing the regulations for German public funding of a specific technology area on behalf of a client. Denova Impuls AS works to facilitate for Norwegian technology companies that aim to launch their systems in the German, or German-speaking markets, and both public funding as well as public client possibilities are often of interest.

2. How does Denova Impuls AS contribute to the Energy Transition?

My background is from energy management and electric energy. Since Germany is a large energy consumer with an interest for both Norwegian energy systems, hydropower and electrical car charging systems, we aim to contribute to create market opportunities for Norwegian sustainable solutions in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

We have vast experience from work in -and with German industry, both sales within Norwegian system to Germany, and by selling German industry products to Norway. Until now, our company has focused primarily on health technology, but since we just became part of Energy Valley, we are looking forward to getting in contact with networks on sustainable products for the European markets.

3. What are the biggest challenges and opportunities in the future?

I believe the biggest Norwegian energy technical opportunity for Europe in near future, comes from cable connections. For Denova Impuls as a relative new company, the challenge is to stand out to Norwegian players that are interested in Germany and who have products ready for sale. The German population consists of serious and good planners, and the Norwegian products and strategies vi manage on behalf of clients need to be finished, well thought through and well documented to enter Germany.

4. What keeps you up at night with regards to the Energy Transition?

I am generally concerned for the environment and the time we have in possession to solve the energy transition. For my own business, I am concerned that other countries are establishing their systems in Germany before the Norwegian specialities are in place. We have no time to waste.

5. What is best by being a member of Energy Valley?

As we just became a member, I am not sure yet. However, we are motivated to grow a large network and get in contact with relevant product owners, which I believe we will have good opportunities to do!

6. Is there any book that has inspired you in the way you lead?

Denova Impuls is a small organisation, so literature on leadership has not been at the top of my mind specifically for this purpose. However, in the German industry company I previously was Country Manager for and had the responsibility for employees, I enjoyed a book called “Raisin picker, divas, rainmakers: Classify sellers for optimal performance” by the Austrian Karl Pinczolits.  It is a great book on leading of sales personnel.

7. Which Energy Valley member do you want to pass the baton on to?

I am sending the baton on to MIKO Innovasjon AS. I do not know them, but it looks like they have really interesting products and solutions!

Thank you, Ole Christian!