How EOY Norway winner ECOnnect transformed a student idea into global success

In this episode, host Jessica Schmidt speaks with Miriam Wennberg, ECOnnect Energy Co-founder and EOY Norway winner, and Ina Rosenberg, Partner, Ernst & Young AS, and National Leader of EOY Norway.

Entrepreneurship is a long game — and scaling innovation in the energy sector requires resilience, creativity and a deep understanding of customer needs. This episode explores the remarkable journey behind ECOnnect Energy — from a student-led idea to delivering critical clean energy infrastructure in Europe, Mexico and beyond.

Miriam Wennberg, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Norway winner, shares how the inspiration for ECOnnect’s floating transfer technology came from a ship captain observing the limitations of traditional marine infrastructure. Ina Rosenberg brings insights from the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Norway, offering a broader view of the Norwegian startup landscape, emerging trends in innovation, and why recognizing entrepreneurial role models is crucial for national growth.

The discussion highlights what it takes to scale a purpose-driven company: balancing agility with structure, enabling teams to grow with the business and maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit that sparked the original idea.

Key takeaways include:

• How How ECOnnect grew from a university idea to a global energy innovator
• The realities of building and scaling a startup
• Turning setbacks into opportunities
• Key trends shaping Norway’s entrepreneurial landscape
• Why finance is central to startup growth
• The impact of winning EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Norway

Presenters:

• Jessica Schmidt, Associate Director, EY Sweden