The Rising Star award, presented annually under the aegis of professional services firm Deloitte and innovation and technology membership network First Tuesday, is designed to recognize fast-growing entrepreneur-led and innovation companies in the Vestland (Western Norway) region. Selection requires nominees to meet certain criteria in revenue growth, capitalization, and local ownership.
“The innovation assessment process puts companies and individuals who are prepared to take risks and create new jobs in our region in the national—and indeed international—spotlight,” said Deloitte Partner Jon-Osvald Harila. The prize is industry agnostic, although Western Norway is home to a very strong maritime cluster embracing technology suppliers, shipowners, shipyards, and service providers.
Valued Recognition
ECOsubsea was lauded for its delivery of eco-friendly hull cleaning services using robotic technology developed in-house, expansion into a leading market player present in some of the largest European ports, and contribution to helping shipping reduce both fuel costs and CO2 emissions. So far, in 2024, the company has helped to save 400,000 tons of CO2 emissions across its customer base.
By revolutionizing hull cleaning (including collecting and measuring the biofouling removed after every clean), the prize draws attention to ECOsubsea solving three urgent problems facing the shipping industry at the same time:
- Increased fuel consumption as a result of friction caused by biofouling on ship hulls, leading to unnecessary costs and CO2 emissions.
- The threat to biodiversity is caused by the transfer of invasive species between geographies.
- Release of microplastics directly into the ocean using conventional hull cleaning methods. These methods can also involve high risk to divers, with fatalities occurring every year.
Good for the Economy, Environment, and Climate
“ECOsubsea is an impressive and innovative growth company with global ambitions and potential. Their sustainable hull cleaning solution is good for the economy, environment, and climate. The company has great opportunities to be an international winner,” said Svein Ove Langeland, jury member and Managing Partner at Bergen-based technology investment house Momentum.
Other jury members were Gøril Selvik, Managing Director of business incubator Connect West, and Henna Raknes, Partner at investment and growth facilitator Amp Eleven.
The prize was presented at the award ceremony in Bergen by Monica Mæland, Managing Director of the Bergen Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a former Minister of Trade and Industry. On stage representing ECOsubsea were Chief Financial Officer Ole Christian Troland, Chief Operations Officer Silje English, Sales Executive Theodor Larsen, and Office Manager Rebekka Østervold.
“Being recognized as the Rising Star 2024 is a great honor. It is a prestigious prize with an almost 20-year history and strong former winners. We are very grateful for the nomination and would like to the jury and other finalists, First Tuesday, Deloitte, and not least our own fantastic team reaching out to the world from our base in Norway,” said Troland.
Motivation Booster
Troland added that the accolade is important not only for ECOsubsea but for everyone working with green technology within ocean industries. “It confirms that our collective work providing sustainable solutions is being noticed more widely and gives us extra motivation to continue to develop innovative solutions that can contribute to a greener future.”
Rising Star co-finalists were ocean sensor technology developer Naxys Technologies and waste-management innovator Carrot.
