"The business is dealing with the biggest challenge of mankind - feeding the world - which again urges us to develop new ways of making food. The blue part representing the largest potential," said Professor Øystein Lie, manager at MarLife.
"At the same time we need to optimise the innovation climate, fostering cross talk between stakeholders."
Mr Lie, dean at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and an entrepreneur in the marine field, has initiated the new business center in collaboration with Oslo Tech and Oslo Science Park, where the center is located.
Business hub
"MarLife Business Center is an international business hub for the biomarine sector," says Mr Lie. Oslo Science Park is Norway’s number one science-based innovation hub. It’s where academia meets business, centrally located in the tech valley of Oslo.
"Already, before the inauguration, a growing number of companies have become tenants of MarLife Business Center."
"The innovation center offers a unique environment of marine players which allows interaction to increase idea flow and advance innovation," says Mr Lie.
International network
From its location In Oslo, MarLife plays an international role in the innovation ecosystem as a core facilitator of workspace for innovation.
"Producers, solution providers, R&D entities, public sector, capital and capital fund managers, creative entrepreneurs, young talents, inspiring communicators – all are welcome to be part of MarLife Business Center," says Mr Lie.
According to the MarLife manager, the aquaculture giants as well as investment funds are excited about the new innovation environment I Oslo.
"Our aim is not least to be a hub for future investment targets in the marine sector. We also cooperate with other international Biomarine networks and business clusters," says Mr Lie.
MarLife is a founding member of Biomarine International Clusters Association (BICA), a new global umbrella organization in the biomarine sector. The biomarine innovation networks will together extend the marine dialogue platform to a global format; interact with capital in a total news manner to enhance the necessary investment rates to reach our goals.
"As part of the global network, the marine business center here in Oslo will help guiding investors towards the best investment targets in the Biomarine field," says Mr Lie.
Bio economy
The new business center opens at same time as the release of “BioVerdi”, a report outlining the development of bio-based innovation – how biotechnology will be a major driver of the future economy.
"Our bio marine business center is one of many efforts to shape the business and industry for the future," says Mr Lie.
