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Kicking Off Creative Business |
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Archives -
2007 Archive
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Written by B. Tyril
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Tuesday, 22 May 2007 |
Creativity and innovation as business concepts have gained prominence in the Faroes in the last few years; now the Klaksvík Innovation Center is taking buzzwords to a new level, helping young entrepreneurs throughout the country to kick start themselves.
Rani Nolsöe, business development consultant with the Municipality of Klaksvík, is well known as an energetic enthusiast with both creative skill and persuasive power. His latest scheme, the Klaksvík Innovation Center (KIC) pays testimony to a relatively new reality: the rise of creativity and innovation as business concepts in the Faroes Islands.
“The KIC offers a systematic approach to supporting innovation and creativity in a business context,” Mr Nolsöe explains. “Our primary targets are not only young entrepreneurs; we believe there are many innovative people out there who just need a little advice and assistance… Some of them could really start a new business while others perhaps need to realize that they’ll be better off doing something else. Our ambition is to help bring to life some of the idle capacity that could be utilized — so that hopefully, in the long term, the Faroese export industry may become more diversified.”
Six months since the KIC opened its offices in central Klaksvík, several startups are being aided by coaching and inexpensive rent at the center during their first fledgling months.
KIC has been launched as a non-profit, three-year project funded by the Municipality of Klaksvík, the Eik Bank, and the Ministry of Trade and Industry; another key partner is Denmark’s BIRCH Estate, a Herning innovation center.
Much of the inspiration and optimism behind the KIC project may well be attributable to the recent international success of Faroese software developers, music artists, or clothing designers.
Not that there is anything novel to the presence of creative people in the Faroes; on the contrary, the islands have long been known for having bred many outstanding artists — most particularly painters but quite many musicians and the occasional writer as well. However, the new fuzz is much about creativity in a commercial context — the concept of pursuing performing or creative arts as a career or even as a lucrative business, and beyond: using the power of creativity and innovation to boost any business.
“Neither creativity nor innovation are absolutes — it has to do with thinking outside the box,” Mr Nolsöe adds. “To create means to bring something into existence, or to invest something with a new form, or to produce something by using imaginative skills. Innovation has been defined as a function of creativity, knowledge and the environment in which its process takes place…”
Be that as it may, few will question that the newly opened underwater tunnel between Klaksvík on the island of Borðoy, and Leirvík on the island of Eysturoy, is bringing fresh blood to the economic life of the region.
The tunnel, which in fact links Klaksvík to the capital Tórshavn, represents nothing short of “a new chapter in Faroese business history,” according to Mr Nolsöe.
“This has come about because the Faroese community has made a giant investment in a huge subsea tunnel. Technically, this is a marvellous construction but what’s more is the great possibilities it presents as a fixed link, both socially and commercially. In terms of business, Klaksvík as a community has been a leader for more than half a century. Despite its relative isolation from the rest of the Faroes, its potential has increased. But as transport has become containerized in recent years, the old ferry connection would be rendered obsolete, which makes the subsea tunnel the more important.”
Adding to Klaksvík’s momentum, is a new cargo terminal at Ánir, a mile north of town. This deepsea terminal became operational in 2006 and is today recognized, Mr Nolsöe maintains, as the country’s best harbor when it comes to large ships like factory trawlers, container vessels and cruise liners.
Back at his desk, Mr Nolsöe stresses the national and international nature of the KIC. “We’re going to bring this to other towns to make sure the whole country can benefit from it. In order to offer as good courses and coaching as possible, we work closely with businesses, schools, government agencies, and municipalities around the islands.”
So networking is of the essence — from incubation and mentoring to business plan and development, from finance management through marketing to hard sales.
“We help startups get in touch with potentially valuable contacts; depending on their stage of development, these contacts will range from financial adviser to potential export client. We let them tap into our extensive network of business professionals and managers.”
Link to pdf presentation...
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