Organization · Community
Connect Vest
Connect Vest is a non-profit membership organization based in Vestlandet, Norway, focused on supporting innovative startups by connecting them with essential resources such as capital, knowledge, and networks.
Overview
What Connect Vest does
What Connect Vest is
Connect Vest is a non-profit membership organization based in Vestlandet, Norway, focused on supporting innovative startups by connecting them with essential resources such as capital, knowledge, and networks.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and program host and community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Community
- Founded
- Founded in 2001
- Approximate age
- About 25 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Program host · Community
- Last reviewed
- March 6, 2026
Official channels
Find Connect Vest elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Connect Vest as a funder
Investment thesis
Connect Vest invests in early-stage innovative companies, facilitating the rapid commercialization of scalable products and services through mentorship and networking opportunities.
Focus narrative
Connect Vest invests in early-stage innovative companies, providing services that include mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to capital. The organization aims to facilitate the rapid commercialization of scalable products and services. Their investment network collaborates with sister networks in Stavanger and Haugesund, collectively representing over 130 investors.
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Seed+
- Regions
- Europe
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Not published
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 10
- Recorded notable exits
- Voisey
Portfolio context
Notable portfolio companies and success stories include: RegioX: Received mentorship that helped accelerate growth and provided strategic direction. Kvikk Forsikring: Enhanced their investor strategy through mentorship. ESG Nature Risk: Improved their sales strategy with mentorship support. Pond: Launched a platform for responsible dog breeding with mentorship assistance. Mase Home: Strengthened brand positioning through mentorship. Mendi: Gained strategic insights for growth through mentorship. Safeback: Developed technology for avalanche survival, ready for market integration. Eduplaytion: Launched a digital math learning tool with a successful market entry. Really: Innovated real estate services with support from the investor network. Voisey: Acquired by Snapchat, marking a successful exit for investors. Bergen Carbon Solutions: Went public, providing a significant return for investors.
Capability profile
Connect Vest as a program host
Program thesis
Connect Vest supports innovative startups in Vestlandet, Norway by connecting them with essential resources such as capital, knowledge, and networks.
Focus narrative
Connect Vest invests in early-stage innovative companies, providing services that include mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to capital. The organization aims to facilitate the rapid commercialization of scalable products and services. Their investment network collaborates with sister networks in Stavanger and Haugesund, collectively representing over 130 investors.
Value and support
Founders receive mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to capital, which are crucial for the rapid commercialization of their products and services.
Availability
- Application state
- Not published
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- Europe
Alumni and track record
Alumni context
Notable portfolio companies include RegioX, Kvikk Forsikring, ESG Nature Risk, Pond, Mase Home, Mendi, Safeback, Eduplaytion, Really, Voisey, and Bergen Carbon Solutions, with successes ranging from strategic mentorship to successful exits.
Capability profile
Connect Vest as a community
Community overview
Connect Vest is dedicated to fostering the growth of innovative startups in the Vestlandet region of Norway. Founded in 2001, this non-profit organization collaborates with partners and members to enhance the early-stage ecosystem. By providing access to capital, mentorship, and networking opportunities, Connect Vest aims to accelerate the commercialization of scalable products and services. The organization has established a robust investor network, the Connect Business Angel Network, which includes 94 members from various sectors, including business angels and family offices.
Community focus
The primary focus of Connect Vest is to support early-stage innovative companies. The organization offers services such as mentorship and networking opportunities, facilitating connections that help startups grow and succeed. By collaborating with sister networks in Stavanger and Haugesund, Connect Vest represents over 130 investors, enhancing the resources available to its members.
Member value
Members of Connect Vest benefit from access to a vast network of investors, mentorship from experienced professionals, and opportunities to connect with other innovative startups. The organization provides essential resources that help accelerate growth and improve strategic direction for its members.
Membership
- Recorded members
- 94
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Benefits
- mentorship and network-access
- Program types
- community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- Europe
Community activity
Notable members
Notable portfolio companies include RegioX, Kvikk Forsikring, ESG Nature Risk, Pond, Mase Home, Mendi, Safeback, Eduplaytion, Really, Voisey, and Bergen Carbon Solutions.
Common questions
What to know about Connect Vest
Upseed classifies Connect Vest under the Community organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, program host, and community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 6, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.