--- title: Results from the cluster | Building Innovation description: "Stories from Building Innovation: competitiveness, new partnerships and shared problems solved by the members of the cluster in Bergen." --- [![Building Innovation](https://buildinginnovation.no/hubfs/Building%20innovation%20logo%20hvit.png)](https://buildinginnovation.no/en/) [What we do](https://buildinginnovation.no/en/projects) [Events](https://buildinginnovation.no/en/events) [News](https://buildinginnovation.no/en/news) [Results](https://buildinginnovation.no/en/results) [Skur 26](https://buildinginnovation.no/en/skur-26) [Members](https://buildinginnovation.no/en/members) [About us](https://buildinginnovation.no/en/about) [Become a member](https://buildinginnovation.no/en/membership) [NO](https://buildinginnovation.no/resultater) Menu ![Site visit at a precast concrete plant, the Pantheon project](https://buildinginnovation.no/hs-fs/hubfs/DSC_2643.jpg?width=2000&name=DSC_2643.jpg) Stories from the cluster # It is all about raising the capacity to innovate This is the value of being part of it. The members create the results: competitiveness, new partnerships and shared problems that get solved. Show All Competitiveness New partnerships Solving shared problems The cluster is its members. We facilitate, the members do the work. The stories show three things that happen when they meet: **Competitiveness**, when a member moves from A to B. **New partnerships**, when two who did not know each other find each other. And **solving shared problems**, when several players gather around one problem. Hover over the points, or tap them, to read more. - Starting point - Junction - Tangle - Result - Continues Solving shared problems · Circular economy ## Can one ventilation duct show the way for a whole industry? The cluster tagged one ventilation duct «Kontiki» and followed it through a complete value chain for reuse. The calculations showed 93 percent lower CO2 emissions than new ducts. 1. **The Fantoft project** Sweco, Tevas and Sammen reused existing ventilation ducts in a refurbishment project at Fantoft. Tevas took the lead from there, with Eirik Fossmark Hopp and Jon Eidset. 2. **The cluster's circular project** Hanne Wetland, as project manager, had developed a model for a circular value chain. 3. **The tangle: how do you make a whole construction industry circular?** No single player can solve it alone. It takes donor buildings, receiving buildings and every link in between. 4. **The outcome: the Kontiki project** Kickoff 25 October 2023. One ventilation duct tagged and followed through the entire circular value chain. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/kan-en-ventilasjonskanal-vise-vei-for-en-hel-bransje) 5. **Digital information flow** Sub-project funded by Samordningsrådet for digitalisering. 6. **Sister track: donor building register, urban miner and reuse hall (Skur 26)** Started the same day. A register of donor buildings and a new role in the value chain. 7. **A circular value chain for concrete?** The same model tested on a new material. 8. **Pantheon and BetongLEGO** The concrete track from Kontiki lives on in two cluster projects of its own. **93 %**calculated lower CO2 emissions than new ductsSource: Building Innovation, the Kontiki project 2023–2024 Competitiveness · Circular economy ## The ventilation duct that became a company Pro-Vent had reused ventilation ducts within the same building, but there were rarely enough ducts. Pro-Vent Ombruk collects them from other buildings, quality-assures them and delivers them. Today a full-service supplier of EPD-documented reused ducts. 1. **Mobile cleaning stations** Pro-Vent dismantled, cleaned and reinstalled ducts in the same building. Reuse worked, but there were rarely enough ducts in the building. 2. **The Kontiki project, 2023** The cluster followed one duct through the whole value chain and calculated 93 percent lower CO2 emissions. Ventistål was in it all the way, also in the reuse project before Kontiki. Pro-Vent Ombruk was not part of it. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/kan-en-ventilasjonskanal-vise-vei-for-en-hel-bransje) 3. **The idea: collect ducts from other buildings** Refurbish and quality-assure used ducts, and deliver them to projects that lack reuse material. Pro-Vent Ombruk AS is founded with Pro-Vent AS behind it. 4. **The workshop, autumn 2025** The cluster and PwC on a visit. Receiving, cleaning, pressure testing and EPD documentation in practice. 5. **Member of the cluster, 2026** A contractor working hands-on with reuse out on the projects. 6. **Full-service supplier of reused ducts** Dismantling, cleaning, documentation and reinstallation. EPD prepared by Ventistål and Pro-Vent Ombruk: up to 99 percent lower CO2 emissions than new ducts. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/ventilasjonskanalen-som-ble-til-et-selskap) 7. **Reused ducts in new projects** Sales through Ventistål and installation in new buildings. **99 %**documented lower CO2 emissions than new ducts (EPD from Ventistål and Pro-Vent Ombruk)Source: Pro-Vent Ombruk, Ventistål > «We wanted to prove that used ventilation ducts are not waste, but a resource with new value. With Pro-Vent Ombruk we have built a commercial model where quality and sustainability go hand in hand, or as we say ourselves: When quality meets sustainability.» > > Christian Jakobsen, project manager, Pro-Vent Ombruk Competitiveness · Urban infrastructure ## From ten employees in Bergen to Governors Island Birdsview started with fewer than ten employees and an idea for scanning concrete without drilling. The cluster gave them chances to be seen. The Trust for Governors Island in New York became their first international customer. The company has now raised NOK 40.5 million and has 15 employees in Bergen and Oslo. 1. **Birdsview in 2023** Fewer than ten employees at StartupLab, NOK 20 million raised. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/startup-råten-med-roten) 2. **Shown at the Pantheon workshop** Got to demonstrate the technology to the members at workshop 3 for the reuse projects, March 2024. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/events/ombruksprosjektworkshop3) 3. **On the delegation trip to New York** November 2024, together with nine other member companies. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/events/delegasjonstur-til-new-york) 4. **The BetongLEGO workshop** Back in the cluster's room, September 2025, the same autumn as the Governors Island assignment. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/første-workshop-for-betong-lego-verdikjeden) 5. **Customer: The Trust for Governors Island** Won the Governors Island Climate Challenge in May 2025 and scanned 50 historic buildings. First international customer, today a regular customer. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/fra-ti-ansatte-i-bergen-til-governors-island) 6. **NOK 40.5 million and Landing Pad** One of ten companies in The Clean Fight International Landing Pad, New York. The July 2026 round was led by Sarsia and Butterfly Ventures. 15 employees in Bergen and Oslo. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/birdsview-henter-40-millioner-for-skanne-betong-uten-bore) **NOK 40.5m**raised in a round led by Sarsia and Butterfly Ventures, July 2026Source: EU-Startups Aug. 2026, birdsview.ai, buildinginnovation.no Solving shared problems · Circular economy ## Can more of the concrete be used again? Kontiki showed that one ventilation duct could be made circular. Then came the question of concrete. The cluster and the industry were called in, and a building in Bergen was singled out as the test case. 1. **Kontiki** The cluster's work on the circular economy: one ventilation duct followed through the whole value chain. The question became: what about concrete? 2. **A project at Rambøll and Henning Larsen** Brita Svartveit (Rambøll) and Ingunn Eikeland Bjørkelo (Henning Larsen) had a project where the question of reusing concrete elements came up. 3. **The tangle: how do you reuse concrete elements?** The standard NS 3682 covers hollow-core slabs only. No one knew whether other concrete elements could be reused, documented and priced. No one owned the problem. 4. **The cluster project Pantheon** The cluster and the industry were called in to a workshop. More than 50 participants at the kickoff in October 2023. Four workshops and site visits at concrete producers and construction sites 2023–2025, with contractors such as Lars Jønsson AS. Brita Svartveit and Ingunn Eikeland Bjørkelo led the process. Two HVL students wrote their bachelor's thesis on the project. Funded by Vestland County Council. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/kan-mer-av-betongen-brukes-om-igjen) 5. **Backer and BOB bring a building** Backer and BOB came with a building: Conrad Mohrs veg 15, a case the project could study in detail. Singled out in October 2024 as the test case for dismantling and reusing the elements in Lyseparken vest. Still on hold. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/-trenger-egentlig-ombruk-av-betong-å-være-så-komplisert) 6. **Proposal to extend NS 3682** The standard for reusing hollow-core slabs proposed extended to more types of concrete elements. 7. **Interest from Portugal and SINTEF** A delegation from Portugal visited the project in September 2024. SINTEF has shown interest. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/events/delegasjonstur-fra-portugal) 8. **Birdsview developed its technology** Birdsview, which scans concrete without drilling, was deeply involved in the project and developed its technology along the way. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/fra-ti-ansatte-i-bergen-til-governors-island) 9. **BetongLEGO** The next project was born out of the work: can cast-in-place concrete also be reused? BetongLEGO started with workshops at Frydenbø in autumn 2025. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/første-workshop-for-betong-lego-verdikjeden) **50+**participants at the kickoff in October 2023Source: buildinginnovation.no/news, Torgeir Hågøy 2024 New partnerships ## The breakfast meeting that became a contract EmpireAI presented at a breakfast meeting for property owners hosted by the cluster. BOB was in the audience. It ended in a contract. 1. **EmpireAI** Technology company and member of the cluster. 2. **BOB** Housing cooperative and member of the cluster. 3. **Breakfast meeting for property owners** EmpireAI presented its solution to the property owners in the cluster. 4. **Contract** EmpireAI and BOB signed an agreement. EmpireAI was to be tested in BOB's offices. Solving shared problems · Energy and operations ## Why did it never become 35? The Sweco building at Fantoft was designed for 35 kWh/m². Eight years later the measurements showed 75 kWh/m². Why does it always end up like this? The question was the start of KraftKur, a new member, Driftssurfing, the Energy School and a new focus area. 1. **The Sweco building at Fantoft** Designed for 35 kWh/m², BREEAM Excellent, completed 2016. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/sweco-setter-eget-bygg-under-lupen) 2. **The tangle: why 75, not 35?** The measurements showed twice the planned consumption, eight years after moving in. Sweco brought the figure out to the industry instead of putting it in a drawer. 3. **The outcome: KraftKur** Cluster project February 2024 to February 2025, NOK 200,000 from the City of Bergen, a core team of nine companies, an industry workshop with site visit and 50 people at a solutions workshop. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/hvorfor-ble-det-aldri-35) 4. **Nordomatic becomes a member** On the core team from the first meeting in June 2024. Signed the membership agreement in November 2024. 5. **Energy resource group and Energy as a new focus area** BOB, GK, HVL, Sweco, Frydenbø Eiendom and Eviny. Energy became a focus area of its own in the cluster. 6. **Driftssurfing** Facility operators visit each other's buildings to learn energy optimisation in practice. First visit at UiB, September 2025. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/events/driftssurfing-kickoff) 7. **The Energy School** Raises energy knowledge more broadly in the industry. Four sessions, cohort 1 started August 2026. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/events/energiskolen-2026-samling-1-hva-er-energi) 8. **Urban infrastructure** New focus area in the cluster, adopted by the board in November 2025. Action plan in progress. **75 kWh/m²**measured consumption, against 35 plannedSource: Sweco, KraftKur 2024–2025 > «If the construction industry is going to improve, we have to learn together and in full openness. We cannot sit basking in the glow of prestige projects where we tell half the truth. Who wants to listen to that?» > > Kine Abbott Solberg, group leader digital services, Sweco Norway Competitiveness ## From a vacant attic to 350 customers Really! was started by two people who knew the property industry's procurement mess from the inside. The cluster provided office space, capital and contacts. Today they have more than 350 customers. 1. **The idea of a better procurement system** Dagfinn Edvardsen and Anders Daniel Brekke saw the same problem again and again, and found no solution that handled it. 2. **Bara Eiendom provided office space** The first offices were in a vacant attic in Kronstadparken. 3. **BKK and Vestbo invested early** BKK Spring (today Eviny Ventures) and Vestbo BBL, together with angel investors from BAN. 4. **Delegation trip to New York** Pitched to American investors and met Gro Dyrnes, today a board member of Really! 5. **350+ customers** The solution is used today by organisations in both the private and public sector. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/fra-et-ledig-loft-til-350-kunder) 6. **Further growth** Continues to build on the three pillars: traceability, better decisions, lower costs. **350+**organisations as customers todaySource: Really!, Building Innovation Solving shared problems ## It started with a perfect storm Property, technology and people who wanted something met in Bergen in 2018. BOB took the initiative to form a cluster. Eight years later it is called Building Innovation and has more than 70 members. 1. **Property** Property companies that saw technology changing how buildings are planned, operated and used. BOB at the front. 2. **Technology** Technology companies with solutions, but no natural way in to the people who own the buildings. 3. **People who wanted something** Leaders in both camps who were tired of sitting on their own hilltops. 4. **The perfect storm: we need a cluster** No one owned the problem alone, and no one could solve it alone. BOB took the initiative. 5. **The outcome: Proptech Innovation is founded, 2018** BOB was the driving force, together with a handful of others. Harald Schjelderup from BOB became the first chair of the board. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/det-begynte-med-en-perfekt-storm) 6. **Proptech Innovation 2.0, 2023** Member survey, evaluation of the projects and a new phase, with BOB on the working committee. 7. **Kontiki and Pantheon, 2023** The reuse value chain started. BOB as receiving building, later with buildings in Pantheon. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/kan-en-ventilasjonskanal-vise-vei-for-en-hel-bransje) 8. **NIC Explore, 2024** Admitted to Innovation Norway's cluster programme. 9. **New name: Building Innovation, 2025** New name and new board. Lin Christin Standal Hjelle from BOB on the board. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/nå-har-klyngen-både-fått-nytt-navn-og-et-nytt-styre) 10. **Skur 26, 2025** Reuse hall at Dokken. A queue at the door for the information meeting. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/en/skur-26) 11. **BetongLEGO, 2025** Three workshops in autumn 2025 on reusing concrete elements. The track from Pantheon lives on. 12. **The Energy School, 2026** Cohort 1 with 31 participants from 22 organisations. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/hva-skjer-nar-vi-slutter-a-sitte-pa-hver-var-tue) 13. **Building Innovation Arctic, 2026** BoNord takes the role BOB had in Bergen. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/building-innovation-lanserer-building-innovation-arctic) New partnerships · Urban infrastructure ## When a cleaning giant backed a young startup Proptonomy pitched its idea at a breakfast meeting on artificial intelligence. Ability was in the audience. Today the group is a major user of the startup's system, and the two are considering an investment or joint venture. 1. **Ability** Nationwide cleaning group since 1991, almost 1,900 employees from 75 nations. 2. **Proptonomy** Young startup from Bergen. AI agents that automate the operation of short-term rentals. 3. **The breakfast meeting on AI** Proptonomy pitched its idea to a room of established players. Ability was in the audience. 4. **Ability becomes a major user** Concrete dialogue shortly after the meeting. Today the system is in daily use at Ability. [Read more →](https://buildinginnovation.no/news/da-en-renholdsgigant-satset-pa-en-ung-startup) 5. **Investment or joint venture** The two companies are considering taking the partnership further. **1,900**employees at Ability, from 75 nationsSource: Ability, Proptonomy, Building Innovation No results in this category yet. ## Do you have a result from the cluster? A meeting that turned into something, a project that grew. Let us know, and we will tell it together. [Get in touch](https://buildinginnovation.no/en/contact)[Why become a member?](https://buildinginnovation.no/en/membership) © 2026 Building Innovation · Bergen[Get the newsletter](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1Xy4UfQe3R4eBdGhelJm-4Ag2z9f) · [Podcast](https://buildinginnovation.no/en/podcast) · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/12644773/) · [Privacy](https://buildinginnovation.no/en/privacy-policy)