Finance Innovation aims to turn Norwegian finance technology into an export industry. Atle Sivertsen is today appointed CEO of Finance Innovation, the Norwegian cluster to drive the work. "I am humble regarding the challenge, but a solid platform for further progress is already established," says Sivertsen.
“The fintech cluster Finance Innovation has gathered a large number of strong players. This gives us a solid platform for commercialization of solutions, and the opportunity to create interesting jobs in Norway,” says Sivertsen.
Huge potential
"We have a unique opportunity to combine the expertise in Norway within finance, technology and academia to succeed in creating innovative solutions. I believe Norway has an excellent opportunity to increase the innovation pace, and at the same time there is a huge potential for exporting products and services," says Sivertsen.
Sivertsen has a background including both financial and digital competence. He holds the position as globally responsible for Customer Facing Technology in Kinect Energy (formerly Bergen Energy) and the mother company World Fuel Services.
"My experience includes sales, development and delivery of innovative energy solutions to customers both in Europe and in the rest of the world. I have had the pleasure of working with innovative and commercial utilization of technology for many years. A strong customer focus has been the key to our success, and most of our solutions have been developed iteratively in co-operation with our customers in processes referred to as Design Thinking. This is the reason why solutions we have made in Norway, is being used in 45 countries around the world, says Sivertsen.
In the position as CEO of Finance Innovation, the assignment is the same, with finance technology as the core product.
Inspiring to work with innovation and internationalization
"Working with internationalization is challenging and exciting. The same goes for innovation processes where co-operation, idea exchange and conceptualization is the key to success, says Sivertsen.
Chairman Jan Erik Kjerpeseth of Finance Innovation is delighted to have Sivertsen in place.
"Atle has played a key role in an international and innovative business. He understands our ambitions and what it takes to achieve these, "says Kjerpeseth.
Boosts the initiative
In October Finance Innovation was included in the cluster program Norwegian Innovation Clusters, which is a collaboration between Innovation Norway, The Research Council of Norway and SIVA. More than 40 companies within finance, tech and academics have so far joined the Finance Innovation initiative, and several new companies are continuously increasing the group. All participating companies are contributing with funds in the co-operation, in addition to the support from the cluster program
Finance Innovation has already initiated several workflows with concrete initiatives, and collaboration with other national and international entrepreneurial environment and fintech innovators. The work will be intensified as Sivertsen takes the position as CEO early in 2018.
"A co-operation between committed and strong partners is already in progress, and I have many thoughts on how to speed up the initiative. Through customer centric innovation, we will make financial services convenient and accessible. Solutions that succeed nationally will be candidates for export to other countries, both in Europe and in the rest of the world.
“We are now hiring key employees and I look forward to establish a flexible and efficient organization together with all the companies supporting this strong collaboration in Norway," says Sivertsen.
Facts / Finance Innovation
- National initiative within finance technology that currently has been included in the cluster program Norwegian Innovation Clusters.
- Ambition to make Norwegian finance technology a new industry in an international market.
- Innovation, competence and internationalization are the three pillars of the initiative.
- About 40 companies have so far joined the initiative.
- Headquarter in Bergen, Norway.
Facts / Atle Sivertsen
- 43 years.
- Presently holding the position as Globally responsible for Customer Facing Technology, Kinect Energy and World Fuel Services.
- Previous experience from Bergen Energy, Aanderaa Datainstruments, KPMG and Merkantildata.
- Has an MBA from NHH focusing on business utilization of technology.
- Further education in management and design thinking at NHH Executive.
- Appointed CEO of Finance Innovation and will formally start early in 2018.
