15:00
.:NEXT CHAPTER
MASKINHALLEN
What happens when a startup and an investor enter a partnership? Expectations don’t always align, frustrations can build up, and sometimes, the red flags are only visible in hindsight. In this engaging “couples therapy” session, a founder and an investor will candidly discuss the realities of working together—what works, what doesn’t, and how to build a stronger, more effective relationship.
Moderated by Gunnar Edwin Crawford, this session will provide a unique opportunity to hear both sides of the table, offering valuable lessons for startups and investors alike. Gain fresh perspectives, learn how to navigate common challenges, and discover practical strategies to improve collaboration in the fast-evolving land-based agrifoodtech space.
GUNNAR EDWIN CRAWFORD
MODERATOR
Gunnar leads the Nordic Edge Agritech Cluster, fostering sustainable innovation and collaboration within agritech. Previously, he served as VP of Digital Services at Desert Control, developing digital solutions for soil health, and spearheaded Stavanger's Smart City initiative, focusing on new technologies and partnerships.
FREDRIK SCHMIDT FOTLAND
THE STARTUP
Fredrik is CEO and founder of Wastech, driving sustainable innovation in waste management and soil regeneration. With extensive experience in entrepreneurship and circular economy solutions, he is dedicated to scaling Wastech’s food waste processing technology. Under his leadership, the company is expanding across Norway and internationally, collaborating with industry partners to develop next-generation waste-to-resource systems.
CHRISTIAN BJØRNSEN
THE INVESTOR
Christian is CEO of Harbor AS, a company pioneering protective technology for salmon farming using electromagnetic fields to prevent sea lice and jellyfish attacks. He has extensive experience successfully scaling businesses from early stages to maturity and holds an Executive MBA in Economics and Management from the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH).