A productive and insightful day unfolded at the Living Lab meeting in Norway, where women entrepreneurs gathered to tackle business challenges and gain valuable input from a panel of experts. The event, running from 10:00 to 16:00, provided a structured platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
The day began with the usual warm welcome, allowing participants to settle in, sign the participant list and enjoy a coffee. Following introductions from Eduardo/Giste Producciones and a rundown of the day’s programme, the session kicked off with a “check-in” around the table. This familiar exercise allowed each participant to share their progress and any developments that had taken place since the last meeting, providing valuable context for the day’s discussions.
Anita spoke about the showcase event in Vilnius, offering her insights and reflections, before giving the floor to Rita who gave instructions about the reflection tool that they would be using during the pitching exercise.
Lunch was held at Borgstua, providing a relaxed setting for further networking, interviews and photos to capture the event’s atmosphere before returning for the pitching exercise and panel discussion in the afternoon.
The pitching exercise was a resounding success. Each woman had five minutes to present her case and outline the specific challenges she faced in her business. Each presentation was followed by two minutes of silent reflection enabling everyone to consider potential solutions before engaging in a 15-minute brainstorming session.
This exercise had been previously implemented internally within the Living Lab, but this time the format included guests who enhanced the experience by contributing additional input and feedback as well as a wide range of perspectives. In fact, the participants highlighted this session as one of the most effective LL activities.
The panel of experts was composed of:
- Åslaug Hennissen, Senior Advisor, Department of Business, Trondheim Municipality;
- Gunn Turid Kvam, Research Leader, Ruralis;
- Asbjørn Karlsen, Professor in Economic Geography, NTNU;
- Sonia Ahmadi, PhD Candidate, NTNU Entrepreneurship and Education;
- Aslaug Rustad, General Manager, Oi! Trøndersk Mat og Drikke.
Their contributions enriched the discussions, offering valuable insights and practical solutions. The diverse expertise of these guests, spanning local government, research, academia, and industry, ensured a well-rounded and impactful session.
The Norwegian Living Lab meeting was a successful example of a collaborative environment, delivering tangible results and empowering women entrepreneurs with the knowledge and support needed to overcome their business challenges. The combination of structured exercises and expert input proved to be a powerful formula for success.
