Happy as a small player, or better and stronger as part of something bigger?

Since I founded Energy Control over ten years ago, I have always thought that we should stand on our own two feet. We should manage on our own, and we should conquer Norway first – without external investors and owners. It has been a good formula and I am proud to say that we have done well. We have grown, we have taken market share and we have made money.

‍So "Why change a winning team?" Why become part of something bigger? Why become part of Noova Energy Systems?

Because my perspectives have changed over the last couple of years. I have gone from wearing somewhat introverted technology glasses, to seeing reality from the landlord's (read: the customer's) perspective. Because what is it they actually need? What is it that not only makes their buildings, but also their daily lives better? Is 100 different individual solutions with associated logins and platforms really the good life – or is it solutions that are able to see the whole picture, that see the entire building?

Over the last decade, the Norwegian property industry has seen an explosion of new solutions and technologies. The industry, where for several decades there was stagnation and no development, has become one of the country's most technology-exposed. This is of course positive, so don't misunderstand me. I love technology and no one cheers louder for new solutions than me. Over the years I have therefore personally tested several hundred new ideas, solutions and technologies. Energy Control has been a living lab for testing and developing new solutions.

I therefore know the Norwegian proptech industry well enough to state with confidence that together we represent an enormous force. A force strong enough not just to move mountains, but to change the way we operate Norwegian commercial buildings. By adopting the solutions we have all developed, our buildings can go from being part of the problem to being part of the solution.

But we cannot continue to sit in our separate corners – we need to join forces. We need to merge technologies and platforms so that each individual platform solves more than just one problem. In other words, the time is ripe for consolidation. We need to come together in larger units that can see a bigger picture and take responsibility for a larger part of the building.

We already have gold in our hands – it's just about refining it. If we can do that, it's not only Norwegian commercial buildings that can be "saved" by our solutions – the whole world could become our playground. We can then lift our gaze and look towards the Nordic countries, Europe and the USA.

‍And that is precisely why I chose to merge Energy Control with Noova. With them on the team we are not only joining forces – we become a force to be reckoned with. Together we take care of the building's total energy challenges. With them on the team, we have the potential to become a force to be reckoned with beyond our own borders too. That motivates me – and it should also motivate a great many entrepreneurs around the country.