Missing priorities in the national budget
It is clear from the national budget that investment in innovation and better conditions for the start-up sector is not a priority. If it had been any other finance minister who had presented this, I would have simply shaken my head. But I expected more from you.
A call to leadership
To quote Emma Watson's speech at the UN in 2014: 'If not you, then who? If not now, then when?' Rarely do we have a politician and leader in Norway of your calibre and experience. War or no war, you are in a position to make Norway a leading nation in entrepreneurship, dual-use and the defence sector. This could be the starting point for new industrial adventures, new jobs and a more secure future for Norway.
You can do better than this state budget.
The contradiction: increased defense spending, weakened startup support
The defence budget is being increased, but at the same time, the state budget weakens the necessary start-up environment – the very breeding ground for new businesses and jobs, including in the defence sector. Small, highly adaptable and technologically innovative companies can be industrial giants in the future, but the reduction in support schemes is significantly increasing the risk for founders, talents and investors.
Building a company is demanding, building a company in the defence sector is particularly risky because the sales processes can take years.
The investment problem
According to the new state budget, private investors are expected to invest more. But if the procurement processes in the defence sector are cumbersome and time-consuming, what is the incentive for private investors to take risks and invest in new companies? And when, at the same time, there are reductions in investor funds for internationally recognised and experienced Norwegian funds, such as Nysnø and Investinor, the risk increases further. It is as if Norwegian founders are deliberately pushed out of the country. It also sends an international signal that Norway is lagging behind in defence and dual-use.
Norway is falling behind
We cannot fall behind again. We are already behind in terms of quantum technology. We are unable to compete with China in terms of volume in solar energy. American investors are at least three years ahead of us when it comes to investing in dual-use and defence solutions. They are well established in the UK and are actively investing in European and Ukrainian companies, while Norwegian investors are only now beginning to adapt.
Meet with startups, not just defense giants
Defence giants such as Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin praise and flatter Stoltenberg and try to arrange meetings, according to an article in E24. But it is YOU, Jens, together with the ministers of trade and defence, who should be seeking meetings – not with the defence giants, but with Norwegian start-ups in the dual-use sector.
Those who dare to embark on this tough journey against all odds because they want to do something that matters for our democracy and the future of Europe. They are the ones you should meet, help with networking and ask what we in the government can do to make Norway one of the best countries in dual-use and defence.
A personal perspective: from refugee to entrepreneur
You probably remember me well. I was a nuisance to you for a while when I was fighting to stay here in Norway in 2011 as an undocumented refugee. But I did not want to be a nuisance then, nor do I want to be one now. On the contrary, as always, I want to contribute and help, as many other entrepreneurs in the defence and dual-use sectors now wish to do.
Please consider this a well-intentioned post about the importance of using innovation and entrepreneurship as our best 'weapon' against current escalation.
The reason I can write this is that I am still here in Norway because of democracy – people used their vote, and I was allowed to stay in the country. The change in legislation due to my book meant that at least twelve others were allowed to become taxpayers and contribute to making Norway a better place. And I can publish this critical text because we have freedom of expression.
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What's at stake: democracy and freedom
The rapidly evolving information war we are already in the midst of is undermining trust between us all and between states. If we do not embrace new technologies and solutions, we will lose the freedom to write posts like this or demonstrate for the causes we care about.
I care about what we are building at Factiverse. We are just one of many Norwegian companies developing vital technology.
Ready to contribute
Many of us are attracting interest from abroad and seeing clear opportunities overseas. But we want to contribute here at home to safeguard our democracy. Norway needs us, and many of us are ready – and want to show what we can, if we are only allowed.
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