Innovate for better

We want YOU to innovate new solutions for the future. We are now welcoming applicants for the 2026 edition of Innovate for Better!

Psst! We are hosting an Innovationssprint at NTNU. Read more and register here (in Norwegian only).

We’re inviting all students with an innovative idea or concept, and student startups, to participate in this challenge.

So, what is Innovate for Better?

Innovate for Better is a competition established by Equinor together with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and now we are opening up to all students in Trondheim to participate. All we ask is that you have a concrete idea, project or start up that is innovative for better. It doesn’t need to be related to energy or Equinor business.

Do you have concrete ideas on how you can Innovate for Better? If so, let us help support you in developing your ideas and give you a flying start!

Deadline

Deadline to submit application: 15 January, 2026.
How to apply?

There are prizes for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd.

1^st place
300 000 NOK

2^nd place
150 000 NOK

3^rd place
100 000 NOK
Best early phase concept/prototype

Up to 100 000 NOK

For your information

Equinor will not own any rights, your ideas are one hundred percent your ideas. Applications received will only be used for assessment in this competition and shredded after the prizes have been awarded.

Here’s a presentation of our former prize winners:

2025:

1^st prize: Naya supports women living in impoverished urban areas in India by providing them the opportunity to learn and perform data labeling, which is essential for developing artificial intelligence.

2^nd prize: Kynetix creates exoskeleton technology that offers easier control with fewer, low-cost sensors, making it affordable and versatile for all environments without relying on external conditions

3^rd prize: Apotrox are developing units that turn industrial tanks into bioreactors. This solves the emission and sustainability barriers caused by a lack of omega 3 in aquaculture.

2023:

1^st prize: Arctic Protein industrialize nature’s protein production. From organic, industrial waste, they scale the production of sustainable protein through the Black Soldier Fly.
Arctic Protein Industries

2^nd prize: Cerebionics

3^rd prize: DrillFeel is a technology that uses haptic feedback to increase driller’s awareness of the downhole and top-side drilling process.
DrillFeel: Increasing driller’s situational awareness - NTNU

2022:

1^st prize: Kelpinor - they make a new generation of seaweed biostimulants for plants - based on cultivated kelp, improving quality, sustainability and availability.
Kelpinor - Seaweed for plant health

2^nd prize: Versiro: A Real-Time Multi-Market Decision Support Platform for Electrical Power Asset.
Versiro - Mastering Uncertainty in Electric Markets

3^rd prize: Dep Joint: A joint for pre-cast concrete piles that enables harvesting of geothermal energy from building foundations.
Dep Joint - NTNU Technology Transfer AS (ntnutto.no)

See below for how to apply, and scroll down for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)