The Nordic Innovation Award highlights ideas that can change the world and create value for people, businesses and society. The award honors those who think new while protecting their innovations so that they can grow and contribute to a sustainable future.
The Nordic Innovation Award is a Nordic innovation award established in 2025 by the patent and trademark authorities of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The award is presented annually to highlight and reward innovations with great potential, inspire startups and companies, and highlight the importance of protecting intellectual property rights. Through the award, the Nordic patent and trademark authorities will highlight the role of innovation in sustainable development. When ideas are well protected, they create value, build trust in the market and strengthen competitiveness. The Nordic Innovation Award is a tribute to innovative solutions and an inspiration to develop and protect ideas further, both in the Nordic region and globally.
Submit nomination
Cartesian won the Nordic Innovation Award 2025 for its groundbreaking solution for thermal energy storage for large heating and cooling systems. The solution provides measurable reductions in CO₂ emissions and increased flexibility in the power grid. The jury praised their well-thought-out IP strategy and contribution to the green transition. In the photo is CTO of Cartesian, Alexis Sevault, flanked by the Director of the Norwegian Industrial Property Office, Kathrine Myhre, and Sune Stampe Sørensen, Director of the Danish Patent Office.
The award is open to all startups and companies in Norway that meet these conditions:
– The Nordic Innovation Award was an important milestone for Cartesian. The publicity it brought increased our visibility, gave confidence to our investors, and strengthened our team. The award is a seal of quality for our Thermal Box and has opened doors to new partnerships, talent, and recognition in the industry.
Alexis Sevault and Frode Iglebæk
The Norwegian Industrial Property Office has put together the Norwegian jury with members who have broad experience in innovation, sustainability and intellectual property rights. The Norwegian jury selects one candidate to represent Norway in the competition. Representatives from the national juries then gather in a joint Nordic jury that selects the winner of the Nordic Innovation Award.
Meet the Norwegian jury
The award ceremony will take place on May 21, 2026 during the Nordic Award Show in Oslo. The Norwegian candidate is invited along with the finalists from the other Nordic countries. Join us and celebrate Nordic sustainability innovators! The event offers award ceremonies, networking, mingling and inspiring stories.
Watch out for the opening of our event registration!
The award is open to all startups and companies in Norway that meet these conditions:
Registered IP rights (intellectual property rights) mean that the business has secured legal protection for the innovation through formal registration. This can be:
Patent – technical solutions or inventions
Trademark – name, logo or slogan
Design – the product's shape or appearance
The registration must be valid in one or more relevant markets and be documented.
In addition, the jury emphasizes how IP rights are used strategically . This means that companies that actively use their rights to protect, develop and commercialize innovation — for example through partnerships, licensing or market positioning — can have a stronger position in the assessment.
1. Innovation level
The innovation must represent a new and innovative approach using cutting-edge science or technology, unique methods, or creative problem-solving strategies.
2. Impact on sustainability
The innovation should have a positive impact on sustainability and contribute to one or more of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) .
3. Economic viability and scalability
The innovation should form the basis for a viable business model and have the potential to scale across multiple geographic areas in the Nordic region or globally.
4. Measurable results and evidence of success
The innovation must demonstrate proven results. We prefer solutions that have already demonstrated some success, whether through sales revenue, market penetration, pilot programs, case studies, or proven methodologies.
5. Registered IP
The innovation must be protected by registered IP rights (patents, trademarks or designs) in relevant markets.
In addition, the business's strategic use of IP can be taken into account.
The deadline for submitting your nomination is February 28, 2026.
The national juries will select their candidate in April 2026. The award ceremony will take place on May 21, 2026 at the Nordic Award Show in Oslo. The person nominated by the Norwegian jury will be invited to this event.
Nominations are now open — join us and give innovators in the Nordic region visibility and recognition for their sustainable solutions.
Submit nomination
Director Market and Communications, Acting Director Business Management (Records Management and HR)
Phone number | +47 90 88 11 73 |
| emf@patentstyret.no |
Cartesian AS offers modular and cost-effective energy storage systems for large heating and cooling systems. To ensure the uniqueness of their innovation, they have patented the solutions and registered the trademark internationally.
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