Since its inception in 2016, the Nordic Mentor Network for Entrepreneurship (NOME) has been supporting life science start-ups across the Nordics, Baltics, and Northern Germany, thereby increasing their likelihood of success and strengthening the ecosystem. As a result of the programme’s success, the Novo Nordisk Foundation has decided to increase the funding and extend the programme through 2028, allowing NOME to expand into new geographies and industries.
Mikkel Skovborg, Senior Vice President of Innovation at the Novo Nordisk Foundation, highlights NOME’s role as a crucial player in the Nordic life science ecosystem, providing support to more than 80 start-ups since the programme’s inception.
“NOME plays a critical role in addressing the need for high-level industry expertise crucial for building successful startups,” says Skovborg.
NOME companies have collectively raised €436M in capital since 2017 and NOME managing partner, Peter Birk, is very proud of the work that the network has done for its portfolio companies.
“We see clear signs that the incredible work the mentors put into helping the startups, in significant ways improve their chances of raising more capital and develop their technologies and companies” – Peter Birk.
For MVA member and NOME partner Medicon Village in Lund, the extended and expanded support for NOME means additional resources have been allocated to ensure the provision of top-tier international mentorship to companies in Skåne in the coming years. So far, 11 Skåne-based companies have been admitted to NOME, and the next admission round will take place in May 2024, providing more companies with the opportunity to join.
“At Medicon Village, we are proud to be part of the collaboration and to offer companies in southern Sweden the opportunity to participate in an elite initiative like NOME. The continued funding from Novo Nordisk Foundation is confirmation that we have been successful in recruiting mentors and companies,” says Petter Hartman, CEO of Medicon Village Innovation, noting that NOME complements the innovation support that Medicon Village is providing in Lund.
Read full press release from Medicon Village