NTNU Technology Transfer AS was established in 2003 and is owned by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and Helse Midt-Norge RHF (HMN). The purpose of TTO is to secure, manage, develop, market and sell rights of use and property rights to knowledge, ideas, inventions and other intangible values created by NTNU and HMN. TTO is NTNU’s and HMN’s strategic tool for generating “benefit from research”.

We are all passionate about innovation and at Validé we use each other's expertise, networks and qualities to the benefit of the researcher, entrepreneur or student. We are organized in competence teams: • TTO: Business development based on research-based ideas • Incubator: Growth and guidance for entrepreneurs and start-up companies • Accelerator: Four specially designed acceleration programs that make early-stage companies investor-ready • Investment: We invest in incubator companies via Validé AS and the seed fund Validé Invest I and Validé Invest II. We have application expertise for other public actors and we manage some investment programmes. • Industry clusters: Validé is the mothership of the health cluster Norwegian Smart Care Cluster , which in November 2019 received ArenaPro status in Innovation Norway's cluster programme.

Ard Innovation is approved as a commercialization actor at The Norwegian Research Council, and operates as the Technology Transfer Office on behalf of The Norwegian Institute of BioEconomy (NIBIO) and Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). The company assist both students and employees at these institutions with commercialization of research and student-based ideas, in addition to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in general. The company has currently 7 employees.

Innovation Norway is the Norwegian Government's most important instrument for innovation and development of Norwegian enterprises and industry. We support companies in developing their competitive advantage and to enhance innovation. Norwegian enterprises have access to a broad business support system as well as financial means. Innovation Norway provides competence, advisory services, promotional services and network services. The marketing of Norway as a tourist destination is also considered one of the organizations important tasks. By combining local industry knowledge and international networks with the business ideas and the motivation of entrepreneurs, the foundation for new successful businesses is created. Innovation Norway is the Norwegian government's official trade representative abroad. We aim to assist Norwegian businesses grow and find new markets. Local presence is therefore of crucial concern to us.

Ås is a municipality in the centre of Follo in Akershus county about 35 km south of Oslo. The administrative center can be reached by train on Østfoldbanen, and both E18 and E6 runs through the municipality. Neighbouring towns are Oppegård, Ski, Hobøl, Vestby and Frogner. Ås municipality has 17 638 inhabitants per 1. April 2013 and is just over 100km2 in extent, characterized by an open landscape dominated by agricultural land. Ås is host to the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). The institution and its research characterize the community center and represent one of the major employers. In Vinterbro / Nordby area in the north there is a significant trade and industry.