The Nordic Innovation Award
The Nordic Innovation Award is a new award jointly established by the Nordic Intellectual Property Offices to highlight the importance of innovation and intellectual property protection. The awards will be presented for the second time in Oslo on 21. maí, 2026.
The purpose of the Nordic Innovation Award is to create awareness and inspire and reward companies that develop innovative ideas with outstanding potential while also securing their intellectual property rights (IPR). The Nordic Innovation Award promotes the importance of IPR to support innovative companies and their contributions to sustainable development of industry and society. The Award serves as a tribute and incentive to continued work in developing and protecting innovations in the Nordic region and globally.
Each Nordic country will nominate one innovative company for the award. A jury, comprising the General Directors of the Intellectual Property Offices of Iceland, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden, along with a representative of industry from each country, will select one company to receive the award. When evaluating the nominated companies, the jury will focus on the following five criteria:
- Innovation – The innovation must demonstrate a novel and original approach, science or technology, unique methttps://www.hugverk.is/en/newsroom/news/international-cooperation/norwegian-cartesian-wins-nordic-innovation-award-for-its-energy-solutionhods, or creative solutions to problem-solving.
- Sustainability – The innovation must contribute to increased sustainability and the advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Commercial viability and growth potential – The innovation should form the basis for a feasible and scalable business concept that is likely to yield returns in the future.
- Measurable results – The innovation must demonstrate measurable success, whether in terms of revenue, market penetration, business plans, case studies, or new and recognized methodologies.
- Registered intellectual property – The innovation must be protected by registered intellectual property rights (patents, trademarks, or industrial designs) in relevant markets.
The Icelandic Intellectual Property Office nominates the recipient of the Icelandic Innovation Award each year for the Nordic Innovation Awards, in collaboration with its partners for the Icelandic Innovation Awards - Rannís, Business Iceland, and the Icelandic Innovation Fund.
In 2025 Norwegian Cartesian won the Nordic Innvation Awards for energy storage solution. Carbfix was nominated on behalf of Iceland for its unique method of storing CO2 permanently in rock.