Invitation to tender: Mapping of the Nordic Space Technology Ecosystem

Introduction

Nordic Innovation is seeking to contract a project manager to do a mapping and ecosystem analysis on the Nordic space technology ecosystem. The assignment is expected to address the following dimensions:  

• Mapping and Analysis of the Current State on a country level with a focus on an aggregated Nordic level analysis  

• Ecosystem Challenges and Needs  

• Use cases in space technology to illustrate the possibility of application of the technology in Nordic businesses 

• Recommendations and Next-Step Opportunities 

Deadline for tender proposals:  6 March 2026 at 13.00 CET
Budget: up to NOK 600.000 excl. VAT (including all costs)
Timeframe:  March 2026-May 2026

The Buyer  

Nordic Innovation is an organisation under the Nordic Council of Ministers working to promote cross-border trade and innovation, located in Oslo. The Nordic Council of Ministers is the official inter-governmental body for cooperation in the Nordic region. With 27 million inhabitants in the Nordic region, Nordic co-operation is one of the most comprehensive regional partnerships anywhere in the world.  

Nordic Innovation is implementing the Nordic prime ministers 2030 vision for the Nordic cooperation. Its mandate is to contribute to making the Nordics a leading region for sustainable growth and to increase entrepreneurship, innovation, and competitiveness in the Nordic region. Nordic Innovation supports programs and projects to stimulate innovation and works to improve the framework conditions for Nordic markets and exports.  

For further information, please refer to the following webpages: 
Nordic Innovation - http://www.nordicinnovation.org  
Nordic Council of Ministers – http://www.norden.org 

Background  

The Nordic region has a growing presence in space technology, supported by strong research institutions, advanced engineering capabilities, and a tradition of collaboration between public and private actors. These assets position the region to contribute significantly to global space innovation and sustainability. Nordic countries also share values of openness, trust, and technological ambition, which provide a solid foundation for building a competitive and resilient space ecosystem. 

Despite these strengths, the Nordic space technology landscape remains fragmented. Activities, funding mechanisms, and policy frameworks are primarily organized at national or regional levels, with limited coordination across borders. This fragmentation creates barriers for startups, scaleups, and research actors seeking to access markets, talent, infrastructure, and investment across the Nordic region and internationally. As global space activities accelerate, the lack of a unified Nordic approach risks limiting the region’s ability to scale and compete. 

While Nordic actors participate actively in programs coordinated under the European Space Agency (ESA), these activities represent only part of the broader space innovation landscape. The Nordic ecosystem also includes commercial ventures, research initiatives, and emerging technologies that operate outside ESA frameworks. Understanding and strengthening these complementary activities is essential for building a holistic and competitive Nordic space ecosystem. 

This work is anchored in the Joint Declaration on Deepening Space Technology Capabilities in the Nordics, signed by the Nordic Ministers of Economic Affairs. The declaration emphasizes the importance of collaboration, innovation, and shared strategic priorities to ensure that the Nordic region remains competitive in the rapidly evolving global space sector. Mapping the ecosystem is a critical first step toward realizing this vision. 

Global competitiveness in space increasingly depends on connected ecosystems rather than isolated actors. Mapping the Nordic space technology ecosystem is therefore a strategic step toward understanding current capabilities, identifying gaps, and exploring pathways for deeper collaboration.  

The Procurement purpose and scope   

The main objective of this tender is to create a comprehensive map of the Nordic space technology ecosystem, including activities already coordinated within the framework of ESA. This map should: 

• Provide a clear overview of current actors, initiatives, and capabilities across the Nordic region. 

• Identify gaps, overlaps, and opportunities for improved coordination and collaboration. 

• Serve as a foundation for directing future innovation efforts and strengthening Nordic cooperation in space technology. 

• Support the development of a shared Nordic narrative and strategic priorities for space innovation beyond ESA programs. 

The purpose of this assignment is to establish a clear and comprehensive understanding of the Nordic space technology ecosystem activities coordinated within the ESA framework and beyond. This initiative aims to provide the analytical foundation needed to guide future innovation efforts and strengthen Nordic collaboration in space technology, in line with the Joint Declaration by the Nordic Ministers of Economic Affairs to deepen regional capabilities. 

Specifically, the project shall: 

• Map the current Nordic space technology ecosystem, including key actors, initiatives, infrastructure, and funding instruments outside ESA programs  

• Identify and analyze strengths, gaps, fragmentation patterns, and unmet needs across the region 

• Provide insights into opportunities for improved coordination and collaboration, highlighting barriers to scaling and cross-border integration 

• Articulate what a more connected and well-functioning Nordic space ecosystem could look like, without prescribing a single fixed model, but offering strategic pathways for alignment and growth 

Overall Scope  

The supplier shall design and deliver an ecosystem analysis focusing on the Nordic space ecosystem.   

The assignment should balance:  

• analytical rigor 

• stakeholder engagement 

• forward-looking recommendations 

Key Focus Areas  

The assignment is expected to address the following dimensions:  

A. Mapping and Analysis of the Current State 

• Analyze the current Nordic space technology ecosystem, including key actors, structures, initiatives, and support mechanisms. 

• Identify strengths, complementarities, overlaps, and fragmentation across countries and ecosystem functions. 

• Highlight systemic bottlenecks related to areas such as access to capital, talent, commercialization, scaling, internationalization, and ecosystem coordination. 
  This analysis should take the form of a gap analysis or equivalent ecosystem assessment, grounded in ecosystem thinking. 

B. Ecosystem Challenges and Needs 

• Identify the main challenges that prevent the Nordic space technology ecosystem from functioning as a more unified and competitive system. 

• Analyze root causes of fragmentation (e.g., structural, cultural, regulatory, financial, or organizational). 

• Clarify where Nordic-level alignment could add value compared to national or regional action. 

C. Desired Future and Directionality 

• Explore what characterizes a more connected, effective, and competitive Nordic space technology ecosystem. 

• Identify shared ambitions, principles, or directionality that could align the ecosystem and guide future collaboration. 

• Consider different levels of ambition and time horizons for ecosystem development. 

D. Recommendations and Next-Step Opportunities 

• Provide clear, prioritized recommendations for actions to strengthen Nordic ecosystem coordination and innovation capacity. 

• Identify opportunities for concrete next steps  

• Highlight success factors, risks, and conditions for long-term continuity. 

The supplier should actively engage central ecosystem actors across the region throughout the assignment. Participatory approaches (such as workshops, interviews, thematic workstreams, or other collaborative formats) are strongly encouraged to ensure outputs emerge from a bottom-up process in dialogue with relevant stakeholders. The supplier is invited to propose engagement formats that foster trust, shared understanding, and meaningful cross-border dialogue, enabling stakeholders to contribute to shaping both the process and the results.

1. Methodology  

It will be up to the Supplier to propose how to conduct the task (i.e. design, develop, and run the process). The supplier is encouraged to propose an approach that combines qualitative and quantitative elements, system-level analysis, and participatory processes. 

2. Deliverables  

 Nordic Innovation is open to suggestions on the format of the final deliverables, provided that the outputs are clear, well-structured, and directly usable for communication, dissemination, and further ecosystem mobilization. 

The final deliverables are expected to include, but are not limited to: 

• A synthesis report of findings and recommendations, presented in a communicative and accessible way, summarizing the ecosystem mapping, gap analysis, and strategic insights. 

• Strong visual and graphical elements, such as ecosystem maps, frameworks, and visualizations illustrating key actors, gaps, dynamics, and opportunities in a way that supports reuse and sharing across different platforms. 

• Action-oriented outputs that can directly inform subsequent ecosystem mobilization activities, initiatives, and stakeholder engagement, including prioritized recommendations and potential activation pathways. 

Nordic Innovation particularly welcomes proposals that include a strong emphasis on visual communication and dissemination of findings, such as presentation materials, graphical frameworks, or other formats designed for use across different arenas and audiences. Suppliers are encouraged to specify the costs associated with these activities within the proposed budget. 

Suppliers should propose appropriate formats, graphical approaches, and intermediate deliverables as part of their methodology, including suggestions for how the findings can be effectively communicated and spread in the ecosystem, also beyond the project period. 

Nordic Innovation would also like the supplier to be open to participating, by invitation, in the presentation of project findings at potential events following the end of the project period. Any such participation would be subject to mutual availability and agreement. 

The final formats and scope of deliverables will be agreed in dialogue with Nordic Innovation. All communication and deliverables should follow the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Design Manual: Design manual Nordic Council of Ministers and Nordic Council (norden.org). 

3. Project duration and process  

The Supplier and the Buyer will agree on the specific process and deadline(s), but please see the preliminary timetable below (5.4 Deadline and delivery). Please note that the assignment should be finalised by 31.05.2026 and an an outline of the key findings should be delivered to Nordic Innovation 3.5.2026. 

4. Team profile  

Nordic Innovation is looking for a supplier with excellent knowledge of the Nordic Space ecosystem. Competence in ecosystem building and stakeholder engagement will be important.  

The Supplier must have a broad Nordic network, and a Nordic team for the assignment would be an advantage. The Suppliers should be proficient in one of the Scandinavian languages (Danish, Norwegian or Swedish). Experience with Nordic cooperation is an advantage. 

The Supplier should have proven experience in relevant fields and documented communication skills. The Supplier can be a single entity, or a consortium represented by a lead partner.  

The project manager will be responsible for the planning and execution of the project activities.   

5. Procurement value and terms  

The Supplier should present a budget proposal (excluding VAT) in accordance with the award criteria. The budget should include activities involving the expert group, briefings, travel, events/workshops, report/conclusions/cases, presentations, and follow-up.  

The Supplier should price different elements in the Tender – according to the content elements described earlier. The price of the elements should be representative for the Contract. 

6. Type of Contract and duration  

Please note that Nordic Innovation’s General Conditions for Purchase of Services (see Appendix A) will be a part of the contract with the selected Supplier. By delivering a tender, it is assumed that the General Conditions for Purchase of Service are accepted  

Administrative provisions  

1. Tendering procedure

This procurement process will be conducted in accordance with the Norwegian Act on public procurement of 17 June 2017 (LOA) and the Regulations for public procurement (FOA) of 2016-08-12-974. part I.  

The Supplier is strongly encouraged to follow the instructions contained in this Tender Document, including attachments.  

2. Contact details

Communication regarding this tender shall be conducted through Mercell. 

3. The Tender documents

Tenders shall be structured in the following way:  

A Tender Document of up to 10 pages (excl. CVs). The Tender Document should be structured to address the award criteria (please see chapter 6). The Tender Document should be in a pdf-format and signed by a person authorized to sign on behalf of the Supplier.  

The selected Supplier will be required to provide the following:  

• Tax certificate for value added tax and tax certificate for regular taxes, not older than 6 months counted from the Tender due date (purchases involving public funds are supposed to be spent on companies that do follow the national tax regulations, so this documentation shall prove the appropriateness of the company).  

• HES-self declaration. 

4. Deadline and delivery  

The Tender must be submitted no later at 6.3.2026 13:00 CET.    

Nordic Innovation utilizes the electronic procurement tool Mercell. All tenders must be delivered through the Mercell portal. The tender should be in PDF format and/or another Microsoft Office compatible format.  

Suppliers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Mercell’s systems well in advance of competition deadlines. Should you experience any technical issues with Mercell, please contact  MTB Contact us - Norwegian - Mercell Support Live +4721018815.   

The Tender deadline is absolute. Tender received after the Tender deadline will be rejected. The Supplier carries the risk of errors or delays in the submission/ sending of the Tender.   

*Please note that the dates can be subject to change.   

The highest ranked Bidders may be invited to present their tenders and/or to provide answers to potential questions from Nordic Innovation.   

Cooperation with Nordic Innovation will be agreed to in more detail at the beginning of the contract period.  

Cancellation 

The buyer reserves the right to cancel the competition  

Freedom of information and duty of confidentiality 

The Freedom of Information Act (offentleglova) applies to public access to documents related to a public procurement. The Buyer and their employees are obliged to prevent others from gaining access or knowledge of information about technical facilities and procedures or operational and business matters that it would be of competitive importance to keep secret, cf. Regulation of Public Procurement (Anskaffelsesforskriften – FOA) § 7-3 and 7-4 and, cf. Public Administration Act (forvaltningsloven) § 13.  

6. Award criteria and evaluation  

Nordic Innovation will select the supplier Nordic Innovation deems best suited for the assignment and offers the most economically advantageous tender based on the evaluation criteria listed below.  

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