Events
Why No One Talks About the Innovation Crisis in the Boardroom
At Arendalsuka 2025, 21st hosted a powerful conversation about one of the most under-examined obstacles to innovation in Norway: the boardroom. In a country known for its stability and resource-based economy, what happens when we need fast, strategic, market-driven innovation — and our governance structures aren't built for it?
Watch the full session below, and hear from founders, owners, researchers and board members on:
- Why the traditional role of the board is becoming a bottleneck for innovation
- What needs to change in how we build, recruit and use boards — especially in SMBs
- How we can learn from Sweden (and our own failures) to improve our competitive edge
Watch the full recording:
Soundbites worth listening for:
- “It doesn’t help to build something brilliant if you can’t sell it.” — Nikolai Fasting
- “The board spends 95% of its time looking backwards.” — Inger Stensaker
- “Comfort zones are the boardroom’s most dangerous blind spots.” — Henriette Thomsen
- “Only 0.2% of Norwegian companies have offices abroad.” — Jon Böhmer
Panelists:
- Nikolai Fasting — Founder & CEO, 21st
- Inger G. Stensaker — Professor of Strategic Change, NHH
- Jon Böhmer — Inventor and entrepreneur
- Henriette Thomsen — Co-owner and board member, Thomsen Gruppen
- Moderator: Sigurd J. Vik, Coupler
Want to talk to us about the boardroom as an innovation tool?
Get in touch with Nikolai Fasting at [email protected] or via his LinkedIn profile.