Mediekuben is the first and only start-up environment in Norway dedicated to media- and media-tech companies. In the inspiring Media City Bergen entrepreneurs share a house with large media companies like TV 2, NRK, Bergens Tidende and Bergensavisen.
Mediekuben is the place to be for both start-ups and more established media companies. What they all have in common is that they want to connect to an innovation environment in world class. The companies have access to the best mentors in the industry and receive counselling from experienced business developers.
Interacting through music
Soundio is an award-winning creative technology studio rethinking how people and brands interact through music. They made Vibble, an app where you can turn your favorite playlists into creative mixes, just by swiping a finger. We had a chat with co-founder and CMO Erlend Hausken.
What does being a part of Mediekuben mean to you?
– You mean except for the great view? Being a part of Mediekuben puts us right in the middle of the Norwegian media industry. That means access to knowledge, partners, clients and talent.
Have you and your company experienced growth after moving in?
–Yes, we have hired more people and expanded our business into several new verticals.
What comments do you get on your office venue?
–Well, people envy the view, but I am not sure how great looking at snow-capped mountains bathing in sun all day really is for work morale. Yes, we have had sun for the past weeks.
You step outside the office and find a lottery ticket that ends up winning 10 million. What would you do?
–I would definitely invest in my company.
Who?
– Start-ups and established companies within the media sector.
– Other, more established actors in the media sector, who wish to be a part of a unique innovative community.
The start-ups get access to counselling, networks, contacts and knowledge that will add great value in the work of creating a new business. It is also the place for more established companies that see the value of the media co-localizing, to be up-close on the innovation environment, as well as the premiere technology within media.
– For my company it’s valuable to have a network of colleagues and mentors that can help us to get better as a business. Since we moved in here in September, we have developed into thinking more like a business, says Einar Loftesnes CEO of Handmade Films in Norwegian Woods.
More important than ever
The media world is changing. Mobile phones and social media are transforming the ways people around the world communicate and participate in society. The media is more important than ever, and now it unfolds on screens rather than printed paper.
–We are well ahead of ourselves. Some of the companies are making big progress: both in market and being attractive for investors. The next step is to increase the interaction with the existing companies in Media City Bergen, which we have a plan for, says Business Developer Tor-Arne Fanghol.