International product competition can open up large markets for Norwegian entrepreneurs

Both Dimeq and Havkraft are fighting to have their products developed as pilots in 30 Atlantic ports.

This can clearly open up major market opportunities for us. Our product has started to become known and in demand in Norway. With the exposure we are now getting, international demand can increase considerably, says CEO Ronny Bakke at Dimeq.

Plans for growth

Together with his father Audun, he has developed a company that supplies fully automated safety systems for personnel on ships or industrial installations at sea.

Ronny Bakke in Dimeq. Photo: Dimeq

The system is an electronic connection consisting of communication boxes linked to wristbands worn by individual employees. In the event of man overboard situations on boats, fires or emergencies on rigs and other offshore installations, the management will at all times have updated information on the whereabouts of each individual employee.

Dimeq is now the only company in the category “port facilities for offshore energy” qualified to join a pool of start-up companies to be pilot developed in a program under the auspices of The Atlantic Smart Ports Blue Acceleration Network (AspBAN).

At the end of January, we will go to Lisbon and present our product. Even before this final, we have made plans for solid growth in the company, says Bakke.

Natural growth inhibitors

The plan for 2023 is to deliver seven boats during 2023 and 21 boats the following year. If the European market opens up in earnest, growth will skyrocket.

But increased investment also places demands on capital. Not least because the price of some chips and components has increased by 30-40 per cent compared to the price level before the pandemic.

Dimeq’s solution provides a full overview of where people are. Photo: Dimeq

Delivery time and logistics challenges can also put a damper on growth.

Ukraine was, for example, an important equipment supplier for our cabling. Here, the war has brought it to a complete halt, and we are acquiring new suppliers. Changing components also requires new certification, and among those who approve the certification it is fully booked, says Bakke.

Wave power in ports

The wave power supplier Havkraft is also among the finalists in the competition. Havkraft AS has developed modular wave power plants that can be installed as smaller, floating and mobile installations - for example, on quays.

Havkraft AS delivers modular wave power plants Photo: Havkraft AS

Ports around the world can become important hubs in the green shift. Wave power will become an important source of energy. We are convinced that our Havkraft N-Class will help open up new opportunities for many ports, says Solheim.

Havkraft raised NOK 15 million in capital in October last year from almost 1,000 small investors. A new issue is now being planned.

During the week-long pitch in Lisbon, Havkraft and Dimeq will have access to meetings with 142 strategic partners in Atlantic ports, both from the investor side and the customer side.

Read in Norwegian at kystens.no