Norwegian bigwigs head to Shoreditch to launch new innovation centre
Prince Andrew is shown around the Trampery - Credit: Archant
Norwegian dignitaries and entrepreneurs visited Shoreditch on Friday for the opening of an international innovation centre.
The Oslo Innovation Centre, in Old Street, will provide space for startup companies wanting to go international and businesses collaborating between Britain and Norway.
The Norwegian ambassador and the governing mayor of Oslo attended a special networking event called Oslo Meets Hackney at the Trampery, where the embassy is based, celebrating Hackney’s links with the technology, fashion and music industries in Norway.
The Trampery also had a royal visit from Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, who was given a tour by some of the embassy’s organisers on December 2.
Johan Brand, the CEO of Kahoot, an educational app based in the Trampery with more than 16 million users, said that what attracted him to Hackney was its “extreme creative culture”.
You may also want to watch:
“There’s a very short time between having an idea and making it happen,” he said. “You can go down the road and see the biggest music producers, for example. That access to markets is very attractive to companies wanting to go global.”
Mr Brand, who is involved in running the embassy, also said that Hackney would benefit from the engineering talents of the Nordic market, and that the project “brings a different set of eyes to London”. He said the embassy will be dedicating the next year to curating events to initiate connections between the two countries.
Most Read
- 1 Police appeal for help to trace wanted Dalston man
- 2 Jailed: 'Dangerous' Hackney predator found with 1,600 indecent child images
- 3 Hackney road closures 'will cost lives', says volunteer ambulance service
- 4 Joint Covid patrols launched to ensure lockdown rules are followed
- 5 'Common sense' prevails as Stamford Hill testing centre moved out of estate
- 6 Covid-safe shared workspaces in Hackney on flexibility without formalities
- 7 Hackney author speaks out against stop and search
- 8 Lockdown: Thirteen card players busted by police in Hackney social club
- 9 Homerton High Street attack: Man in his 50s stabbed in the back
- 10 Woman arrested over London Fields shooting that left innocent bystander paralysed
Guy Nicholson, Hackney Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, said: “Events such as Oslo Meets Hackney provide a fantastic opportunity for business representatives to share their experiences, knowledge and learning that will help industries to grow and prosper in both locations.”