Mære R&D arena
For businesses
At Mære, companies can get help developing and commercializing their products together with experienced agricultural actors.
To arrive at more climate-smart solutions in agriculture, we want to collaborate with a variety of companies.
We facilitate research, development and innovation in all our buildings and on our land. We work closely with Skjetlein Videregående Skole, and together we have dairy production, pig production, suckler cows, sheep, poultry and horses. We have grass, grain and potato production on the farms and have both conventional and organic land.
In addition to our R&D arenas, we can also offer course locations and access to professionals. We also communicate results from the experiments that are carried out, and conduct courses and webinars in close collaboration with those who are here and implementing projects.
Our test arena
Mære Agricultural School and Skjetlein High School are close partners, and together we have Norway's largest agricultural testing arena. We have made it possible for companies to use both the land and the buildings to test and verify their products and methods. We assist start-ups and established companies with: product development through testing and validation, measurement of effect for documentation of product/service and access to practical operating facilities, cultivated area and professionals.
Lake as a test arena
Facilities at Mære:
- 1050 daa cultivated land/300daa pasture
– Grain, grass and potato - 500 daa forest
- 50 yearling cows in dairy barn from 2016
– 400 tons of quota
– Milking robot, flat silo and greenfeeder - 32 Hereford suckler cows, barn from 2017
- 35 winter sheep forums
- 55 yearling sows in piggery from 2008
- Greenhouse – Tomato, flowers, insect lab and energy harvesting
- Modern machinery
Use and rental of the test arena
We ensure that your company's project fits into daily operations, and that the right expertise is connected.
Skettlein as a test arena
The skeleton is essentially ecologically driven, and as of today these facilities exist:
- 925 then cultivated land
– Grass and grain
– inland pasture (82 daa) - 1000 acres of forest
- 40 year old cow
– 333 tons of quota
– Milking robot, flat silo and greenfeeder - 55 winter sheep forums
- 32 yearling sows
- 3000 free-range chickens
- Stable with space for 16 horses
- Small animal department
- Greenhouse with small-scale production of tomatoes and herbs
- Vegetable garden
- Fruit and berry garden
- Modern machinery
Use and rental of the test arena
We ensure that your company's project fits into daily operations, and that the right expertise is connected.
Do you need someone to spar with?
Coordination of Mære resources and agreements:
Rolf Kristian Wensbakk +47 482 85 472
Capital and business development
Mære collaborates with T:lab to make the projects as good as possible. T:lab is part of Siva's incubation program, and can therefore provide services at a reduced price to the companies. T:lab has in recent years specialized in Agritech companies and capital raising.
Agritech
T:lab organized the first AgriTech Nordic conference in 2018. The conference proved that there is interest and commitment to having a meeting place where one can share experiences, ideas and opportunities. Startups met investors who became important supporters, local companies started a dialogue with larger players and innovative ideas were presented in an international format. Since then, the conference has been organized every year, and has established itself as a meeting place for AgriTech; not only in Norway, but also in the Nordic region. Read more here: Agritech Nordic
Financing
Obtaining financing is often a big challenge, even for talented entrepreneurs. There are a number of public instruments, but investor capital is often needed to accelerate development. Investors who get in early take a big risk, and it is a demanding job to give them faith that an investment in your company will give them a good return. T:lab has been involved in many such rounds, and assists companies in finding good financing solutions.
Testing and verifying products and methods is an important factor in the process of raising investor capital. T:lab also assists in financing this part of the process.
More about T:lab
Head office: Steinkjer
Geographical catchment area: The whole country
Main task: offer assistance to businesses with reduced prices (state aid from SIVA)
T:lab helps companies get the resources they need to complete their projects. This can be the right professionals, researchers, or help with financing the project. We also provide expertise in business development to create good and sophisticated projects.
Do you need someone to spar with?
Assistance with business development and/or financing of the project:
Silje Vangstad +47 958 97 199
Demo Arena
Products and methods that are ready for the market also need an arena to showcase themselves. At Mære, it is possible to hold demonstrations and presentations to potential customers and partners.
Agritech Nordic is held annually, where the day before the main conference there is a safari at Mære. Here, companies can showcase their innovations and test results. Participants can take a guided tour.
In addition, Mære is an arena for training for the agricultural industry regularly throughout the year. Last but not least, Mære educates future players in the green industry in the form of 200 students at the upper secondary school. The students take part in farm work, and are closely connected to other activities on the farm. The students also often participate in experiments.
«"We have received great help with both profiling, raising capital and testing our autonomous implement carrier at Mære, which has been essential in the development of Autoagri."»
– Jostein Sandvik, Autoagri
Mære R&D arena
Business case
Which companies can use Mære and Skjetlein?
All companies that have an idea or a finished product where we can have an arena for testing or expertise are welcome to get in touch. Newly started or well-established companies – all are equally important.
How can T:lab assist my business?
In recent years, T:lab has specialized in Agritech companies and capital raising. But there is a wide range of services we provide. Here is a short version:
Business model and brand strategy
Financing strategy (grants, loans and investors)
Sparring on applications
Coaching and progress
Legal assistance
IPR
Agritech Nordic
T:lab organized the first AgriTech Nordic conference in 2018. The conference proved that there is interest and commitment to having a meeting place where one can share experiences, ideas and opportunities. Startups met investors who became important supporters, local companies started a dialogue with larger players and innovative ideas were presented in an international format. Since then, the conference has been organized every year since, and has established itself as a meeting place for AgriTech; not only in Norway, but also in the Nordic region.
The main conference takes place in Steinkjer, but has associated events in the surrounding areas. For example, there may be a safari/tour of interesting places such as Mære Agricultural School.
Read more here: Agritech Nordic
Sivas Incubation Program
Siva develops, owns and finances a national infrastructure for innovation and business development consisting of incubators, business parks, catapult centers, innovation companies, as well as innovation centers and industrial buildings.
The Siva structure currently consists of 38 business parks, 35 incubators, 5 catapult centers, 71 innovation companies, and 30 real estate companies that collectively own over 100 properties.
The companies are registered with their business address in the Register of Entities, but many companies also have locations in multiple locations. More detailed information about their presence can be found on the respective websites.
The Siva incubation program contributes grants, expertise, tools and a national network to 33 incubators covered by the program.
In practice, this means that a company that has an innovative idea can get help from an incubator to develop it further without having to pay full price for the service.
Is your company working on something innovative for agriculture?
Contact us!