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culture International

“Do not be afraid of failing. new jobs have you created through the
StartupLab?
Starting a startup requires full Since the start of StartupLab we have
dedication and focus, and chances supported 350 startups and invested in 110 of
these. These startups have created 3,500 new
of failure are big. But it also involves jobs, and this is just the beginning.
an impressive learning experience
In today’s pandemic times, the ILO and
and a lot of fun. ” other United Nations agencies are concerned
about the pandemic’s economic consequences,
especially for the youth and their access to the
job market. Is your version of entrepreneurship
part of the solution? If so, what does it have to
offer young people in particular?
positioned as a startup country. We have the Yes, creating new jobs by supporting the
soil that is constantly being replenished, and entrepreneurial spirit is for sure a major part
we have a stock exchange tool for early-stage of the solution. I call this new generation “The
companies we have not had before. Generation Å” as this is the final generation
that can save the world. And the good part: I
How does the StartupLab work, and what believe they will.
kind of assistance do you provide?
We have at any time 100 technical startups in It’s tough to set up a business. What kind of
our offices. Every week we have one Startup advice would you give to young people?
moving in, and one startup is growing out. Do not be afraid of failing. Starting a startup
Unfortunately, we have capacity to accept only requires full dedication and focus, and
one out of ten applications, hence we are able chances of failure are big. But it also involves
to attract the best of the best startups. an impressive learning experience and a lot
We work closely with the startups over months, of fun. Do it before you are too old and risk
and after 4-6 months we offer investments into averse.
30 % of the startups. At this stage, the founders
know us and know what they can expect, and Many countries around the world are looking
we know the founders and see that they are at ways to encourage entrepreneurship. What
able to execute. It is like living together before advice would you offer them generally, and,
you get married. particularly, if you can cite one or more
specific country?
In 2020, you received the NHH (Norwegian Make it simple to attract talent from all over
School of Economics and Business the world. To build global successful startups
Administration) Almuni Prize for your you need to think diversity from day one and
outstanding achievements. Did it change hire talent from all over the world.
anything for you, particularly in the
orientation of your efforts? Finally, Mr. Assev, would you be willing to
This came after a very special year for me durng share your experience with others? If so, how
which I had spent most of the time in hospital can people contact you?
recovering from a severe stroke, so this meant In StartupLab we support Norwegian only
a lot to me and made me want to get back to startups, but if you are considering building a
supporting new founders in building the new startup in Norway – and there are many good
industry that will take over after oil and gas. reasons to do that – you can contact me at
Working with founders that want to change rolf@startuplab.no .
the world is giving me energy and hope.

Talking about success stories, how many
companies have you set up, and how many

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