Two scientists in a lab, smiling, on in action and one sittingOslo Cancer Cluster
14 March 2024 Oslo Cancer Cluster Incubator was ranked among Europe’s Leading Start-up Hubs by the Financial Times, Statista and Sifted. Shared and private lab facilities are a big part of the incubator rig. There is also an accelerator programme for start-up companies. Photo: Fartein Rudjord / Oslo Cancer Cluster

One of Europe’s Leading Start-up Hubs

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Oslo Cancer Cluster Incubator made the Financial Times Europe’s Leading Start-up Hubs list.

“This recognition by the Financial Times celebrates our dedication to transforming oncology research and places us in a league with Europe’s most innovative ecosystems. It’s about more than accolades; it reflects our collective impact in pioneering new frontiers in cancer therapy and patient care,” said Ketil Widerberg, CEO of Oslo Cancer Cluster Incubator, when he was made aware of the news.

Ketil Widerberg, CEO of Oslo Cancer Cluster Incubator, is happy about making the Financial Times ranking. Photo: Fartein Rudjord

“This honor is a testament to the synergy between groundbreaking science and entrepreneurial spirit within the Oslo Cancer Cluster Incubator. Our unique approach, focusing on collaboration and support, sets us apart in Europe’s diverse and dynamic start-up landscape, as highlighted by the Financial Times.” Ketil Widerberg

Read more about the incubator companies and community on this incubator webpage.

Two Norwegian hubs

Only two Norwegian hubs are in the ranking. They are 6AM Accelerator, a pre-seed accelerator and investor for tech startups in Trondheim, and Oslo Cancer Cluster Incubator, with its laboratory-based community and cancer-focused companies next to Oslo University Hospital, the Radium Hospital. Oslo Cancer Cluster made 104th place out of 125 hubs in total.

Here you can read the complete list (link to Financial Times). 

It is also published as a Special Report in the Financial Times.

Specialized lab infrastructure

“With world-leading researchers in shared and individual labs Oslo Cancer Cluster Incubator exemplifies the critical role specialized lab infrastructure plays in supporting focused innovation within the incubator framework, particularly in the demanding field of cancer diagnostics and therapies,” said Janne Nestvold, COO of Oslo Cancer Cluster Incubator.

Woman in lab coat in lab

Janne Nestvold, COO of Oslo Cancer Cluster Incubator, in one of the incubator’s shared laboratories. Photo: Fartein Rudjord

Ranking methodology

According to Financial Times and their partners Statista and Sifted, Europe’s Leading Start-Up Hubs 2024 is a ranking of the top centres for founders offering incubator and/or accelerator programmes to people who want to build or grow a company.

To identify the 125 leading hubs, a registration and survey process was conducted. Several thousand hubs were evaluated, and several elements were considered for the evaluation, with the main criterion being the assessment of the respective start-up hub by alumni who participated in at least one incubator or accelerator programme run by the respective hub. In addition, the recommendations of external experts, such as investors, entrepreneurs, and academics were included. Finally, the most successful startups coming out of a hub were examined.

More about the ranking and methodology in this article in the Financial Times.

 

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