Mr. Stølan holds an M.Sc. degree from the Norwegian Institute of Technology (NTH), in technical-economic planning in regional and urban areas. His Master’s thesis focused on Regional and Local Economic Impacts of Petrochemical Industrialization.
He is the founder and CEO of International Development Norway. In the period 1997-2008, he was the Research Director at three different SINTEF departments (Applied Economics, Logistics & Economics, and International Operations), one of the largest Scandinavian research institutes. As a researcher on “commercialization of technology,” he was engaged at Surrey Technology Center, Surrey University, Guildford UK, 2003-2004. He also has experience as an Assistant Professor, at the Department of Economic and Operations Research at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
Mr. Stølan has extensive international experience in project development management and consulting, local economic development, innovation, and transnational technology transfer. More than 20 years of practice experience in delivering and managing SME innovation and competitiveness actions. In total more than 12 years of experience in building up and managing research activities in SINTEF and coming competencies in terms of R&D and innovation within Norway, Europe, and developing countries. Direct access to numerous institutions and networks regarding technology innovation, innovative SMEs, regional development, and science and technology policy. Experience in managing projects funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA), EU funded: Framework Programs, Competitiveness Innovation Programs (CIP), and EEA grants.
