The Latvian IT Cluster, Swedish Future Position X and GCE NODE met in Kristiansand Thursday to discuss how to run hackathons in the best way, and lessons learned so far.
The three clusters cooperate on a project aimed to help small and medium-sized companies go global. The project is funded by BSR Stars – Innovation in the Baltic Sea Region.
“We are very pleased to have found a Norwegian cluster that is also focused on SMEs and how SMEs can scale-up and succeed internationally,” says Aiga Irmeja, Executive Director at Latvian IT cluster.
DIGITALIZATION “Since 2013, digitalization has been a top priority for NODE. We are continually looking for domestic and international partners that can help us move forward. We are glad to team up with the main ICT cluster in Latvia, a country with a strong focus on ICT, and Swedish Future Position X” says Anne-Grete Ellingsen, CEO of GCE NODE.
Latvian IT Cluster has an extensive international network, especially in the Baltic Sea Region. GCE NODE became Latvian IT Cluster’s first Norwegian partner, following a visit to Riga last year.
DISCUSSED CLUSTER MANAGEMENT On Thursday, the Latvian delegation revisited GCE NODE in Kristiansand and also enjoyed a tour of Mechatronics Innovation Lab in Grimstad. Afterwards, the Latvian IT Cluster’s management and Board of Directors sat down with GCE NODE to learn about the inner life of a European Gold Label cluster.
“We are happy to share how we work – and also to listen and learn how other work. We had a good talk about cluster management, services, activities and participants and more,” says Ellingsen.