Starting your business in the ‘Happy Country’ of Norway is certainly a good decision. It has the second position in the Better Life index and the first position in the Human Development index. Therefore your business will have favorable growth. In this article, our business experts have listed the most profitable business ideas in Norway that can be started with low and moderate investment.
Is Norway a Good Place to Start a Business?
Norway is a country that is ranked top in the list of ease of doing business across the world. The people here are well-educated, and the infrastructure is well-established and based on mostly digital concepts. In addition, Norwegians majorly respect sustainability, innovation, green technologies, digital solutions, and the health sector as a business growth opportunity.
The economy of Norway is a highly developed mixed economy. Therefore, you will find it easier to start your business in this country. All these factors are positive for you to begin your business in this country.
30 Business Ideas in Norway
1. Mobile App Development
The digital economy is growing in Norway. As a result, the demand for mobile app developers is on the rise. Apps are very much in demand in Norway. If you are a programming specialist, you can start App making business in Norway. However, try to be innovative in your app idea. Apart from making apps for different companies, you can also make different service or utility-based apps for people based on local needs like language learning or navigation. It is your unique idea that will keep you ahead and help in make a profit.
2. Green Energy Solutions
Norway is one of the leaders in renewable energy in the world. The government invests heavily in green energy solutions. There are big opportunities in wind energy, solar panel installations, and energy-efficient technologies.
Norway aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. Hence the demand for sustainable energy solutions is likely to increase. Government incentives also make it easier to enter this sector. You can launch a green energy enterprise and provide innovative and scalable solutions like energy storage systems or community solar projects.
3. Fintech
Fintech is becoming popular in Norway. Therefore you can start your fintech business in this country. However, you have to research well on the demand of the particular sector of fintech in Norway. It is better to choose mobile payment or money lending services which are the most popular fintech services. You need good networking strategic marketing and maximum penetration of the market to earn good profits from the fintech business.
4. Start an AI Company
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has good demand, especially in a developed economy like Norway. You can start your business by implementing AI in various areas of business like accounting, bookkeeping, sales figure maintenance, customer relations, inventory management, auditing, etc. The area has a huge prospect and you can avail this demand to grow your business.
5. Digital Marketing Agency
The demand for such services as search engine optimization, social media management, and content marketing is gaining ground as more and more businesses move to the web. The digital marketing industry in Norway grew by 20% in 2024, powered by small and medium-sized enterprises. You can tap this growing market by launching a digital marketing agency offering customized packages for startups and SMEs.
6. Computer Service and Repair
The use of computers also needs servicing and repair. If you are trained in hardware maintenance and repair you can start your computer service and repair business. In this business, you can enter into a long-term contract with business houses where you will be in charge of the repair and maintenance of the entire system which has a high payment. Providing service to individual clients is also profitable. Good marketing and publicity are needed to grow your computer service and repair business.
7. Open a Café/ Coffee Shop
Café is an all-time good business idea. Start your café in a populated area or near the office or college-university area for a greater number of customers. Good coffee, good snacks, and good décor will fetch you a good profit margin. You need planned marketing and publicity for your coffee shop business.
8. Seafood Restaurant
Norway is famous for seafood. Hence starting a seafood restaurant is a profitable business venture for you. Serve tasty dishes of the famous crab, cod, salmon, or trout. The dishes must be cooked in authentic Norwegian cuisine and you must check the quality of the food served. Good location and marketing are very important to grow your seafood restaurant business.
9. Food Truck
The food truck is a common and accepted concept that is profitable with low capital. Start your food truck business in urban areas and serve fresh and fine food at different times of the day. Drive your food truck to places where there are many people so that your food gets sold quickly. Advertisement and word-of-mouth publicity are very important for your food truck business.
10. Cigar Lounge
Since smoking is prohibited in public places, a cigar lounge is a good business idea. Start your cigar lounge at a good location. It should have a good décor and enough space to accommodate smokers. Keep cigars of different brands and also serve light snacks. Publicity and advertisements are necessary for your cigar lounge business.
11. Language School
A language school is a profitable business in Norway. If you know multiple languages it is a good business idea for you. Teaching languages like French, German, and Russian, etc have good demand. You can teach from home, in a rented classroom, or take online classes. Online marketing, especially social media marketing plays an important role in growing your business.
12. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistant have a good demand and is one of the most lucrative online businesses in Norway. If you have organizational skills, you can start your business as a virtual assistant from home. You need a website for contact and publicity and good advertising. You can also enlist your business at different online portals like Fiverr or Upwork to get orders.
13. Tourism
Tourists love to visit Norway. Hence tourism can be a good business option in Norway. Being a tourism agency, you can take the entire responsibility of travel of your clients from tickets to local tours. Otherwise, you can also start a business as a local tour operator or tourist guide. In 2024, Norway reported that over 5 million foreign visitors had visited Norway. The number of tourists has been growing by the year. Some of the popular tour packages you can offer are northern lights tour, fjord cruises, or sustainable hiking package.
14. Photography/Aerial Photography
Photography is a lucrative business in the beautiful country of Norway. You can start your business as a tourist photographer or news, advt, or event photographer. Along with that, aerial photography with the help of drones is also very profitable. You need good marketing and publicity.
15. Event Management
Event management is a profitable business idea in Norway. You can start your event management company and take the responsibility of managing various kinds of events like corporate events, marriages, social get-togethers, anniversaries birthday parties, etc. You need a good personal network along with well-planned online and offline marketing strategies. Apart from that, a good team of staff with an eye for detail and time management capacities will make your event management business successful.
16. E-commerce
E-commerce is booming in Norway. Most consumers show preference to shop online for convenience. You can sell grocery items to beauty products, medicine, or electronic gadgets. One can also create a niche by selling uncommon things that have good demand. Norwegian e-commerce sales reached $10 billion in 2024 and industry experts predict higher growth. Website and online marketing with special emphasis on social media marketing are the key points of success in your online store business.
17. Convenience Store
Norway has an active nightlife that has a great demand for convenience stores. You can start your convenience store business at a good location. Store utility items like groceries, food, beer, and tobacco to attract more customers. You have to keep the convenience store open till late at night. Therefore you will need a good salesperson to assist you and work late. Both online and offline marketing is essential for your business to flourish.
18. Open a Beauty Salon
The salon is always a good business idea because it has a steady demand. Start your beauty salon at a good location with comfortable décor and trained and experienced staff. A unisex salon can make your business more profit-making. A good reputation along with good marketing will make your salon business grow fast.
19. Gym Business
People are very much fitness conscious now. That is why the gym business is very profitable. You can start your gym business with equipment of reputed brands and a good comfortable place. Hire well-trained and experienced fitness trainers and provide the service of a registered nutritionist for value addition. Your contacts along with good marketing will fetch you good profit from the gym business.
20. Personal Trainer
Many people prefer to exercise at home under the guidance of a personal trainer. If you are a skilled trainer or a Yoga expert, you can start your business as a personal trainer and serve several clients all day. You need a good knowledge of the exercise equipment so that you can suggest suitable equipment to your client. Online and offline marketing is very important in your business.
21. Open a Clothing Boutique
The boutique business is much sought after in Norway. If you are a fashion designer or have a good knowledge of designing, you can start your boutique business in this country. Design clothes using your innovative skills to attract clients. Make dresses that blend traditional and contemporary styles. Your contacts and good online marketing will help you in growing your boutique business. Go for sponsorships in fashion shows for the publicity of your boutique.
22. Baby Care
Baby care is a good business area as parents need the service of baby care centers to take care of their little ones. You can start your baby care center at a good location having open space and a garden for the kids to play. Hire professional caregivers and keep the center clean and disinfected. Keep good contact with a pediatric doctor for assistance in case of any emergency.
23. Senior Care
Senior adults often need special care and services and it has a great demand. If you have the capital to invest you can start an assisted living facility for senior adults offering them an excellent lifestyle as well as exclusive care. Otherwise, you can start your business as a caregiver for senior adults or start an agency of caregivers to take care of aged persons. In every way, it is a profitable business. You need good marketing and publicity for your services.
24. Car Wash and Servicing
With millions of car owners, car washing and servicing is a great business idea in Norway. If you are a trained auto mechanic, you can start your car washing and servicing center. Add services of mobile car washing and servicing to get more clients. A good location along with planned marketing will grow your business well.
25. Export-Import Business
The export-import business is very lucrative in Norway. With proper permits and licenses, you can start an export-import business here. The items that are exported out of Norway include Crude petroleum, Fish, Raw Aluminium, etc. The items imported are Refined Petroleum, Fishing Ships, Sea Vessels, Cars, etc. You can choose roadways or waterways to transport goods. A good overseas network is key to the success of the export-import business.
26. Computer, Laptop, Tab Shop
Uses of computers, laptops, or tab are very common in a developed country like Norway. Hence it is a good idea for you to start a shop selling computers, laptops, and tab. You can take dealerships of reputed brands or sell locally assembled devices. Both have a good margin of profit. Choose a good location for your shop and advertise it well.
27. Fisheries and Aquaculture
Norway has the world’s longest coastline and is one of the largest seafood exporters in the world. The business can be very profitable if one is starting a fish farming or seafood export business. There is always a high demand for Norwegian salmon and other seafood products globally, particularly in Europe and Asia.
28. Organic Farming
The demand for organic and locally sourced food is increasing in Norway. One can start organic farming to follow this trend. The market for organic food in Norway had a growth of 12% in 2024 and shows no signs of slowing down. You can try growing high-demand products such as organic berries, vegetables, or herbs.
29. Health and Wellness Services
Norwegians consider a healthy lifestyle, so health and wellness services are a good business. There is a demand for yoga studios, wellness retreats, or mental health counseling. The wellness industry in Norway increased by 8% in 2023 due to the growing awareness of mental and physical health.
30. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Norway boasts the highest per capita electric vehicle (EV) ownership in the world. Setting up EV charging stations is a highly profitable business idea. As EV sales are on the rise, the demand for charging infrastructure is rising exponentially. You can partner with shopping malls, restaurants, and parking facilities to install your charging stations.
More Business Ideas:
- Best Business Ideas in Hungary
- Best Small Business Ideas in Spain
- Best Business Ideas with Low Investment
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreigner start a business in Norway?
Yes, a foreigner can start a new business in Norway. However, as an outsider, you will have to get a Norwegian identification number (D-number or personal ID number) and a Norwegian business address. One can apply for a D-number while procuring your registration in the Bronnøysund register.
What are the best cities to start a business in Norway?
The following is the list of best cities in Norway to open a business.
- Oslo
- Bergen
- Trondheim
- Stavanger
- Bærum
How can I get funding for my business in Norway?
Innovation Norway provides grants for innovative Norwegian enterprises.
Can a foreigner open a business in Norway?
A foreigner can very well start a business in Norway. The Government promotes innovative and growth-oriented foreign investments in the country.
Norway is a prosperous country in all aspects. Hence you can start your business here and successfully grow it and become rich and happy.
Editorial Team at 99BusinessIdeas is a team of experts led by Rupak Chakrabarty with over 25 years of experience in starting and running small businesses. Started in 2010, 99BusinessIdeas is now one of the largest free small business resources in the industry.