Student idea from Tromsø to be tested during Arctic Race of Norway
October 23 rd 2026 - 09:17 [GMT + 2]
Student idea from Tromsø to be tested during Arctic Race of Norway
It started as an idea during an innovation sprint in Tromsø this spring. Now, the two UiT students Max Roness Hovding and Sivert Asakskogen are working to give spectators new ways to follow Arctic Race of Norway. The goal is to test the solution during the cycling race in Finnmark next summer.
Innovation sprint
This spring, Equinor, Norinnova, Junior Achievement Norway and Arctic Race of Norway brought together nearly 80 students for an innovation sprint in Tromsø. The students were tasked with finding new solutions to specific challenges related to the international cycling race. Among the ideas developed was RaceFlow, a concept designed to make Arctic Race more accessible and engaging for spectators through digital solutions. The idea has now been taken forward through Norinnova’s Arctic Ignite development programme. “It’s really exciting to see that an idea developed over a few intensive days in Tromsø could now become part of Arctic Race of Norway. This is exactly what we want to achieve through collaborations like these. We gain access to new ideas and expertise, while also giving young people the opportunity to test their solutions in practice,” says Tom Høgli, Managing Director of Arctic Race of Norway.
From student project to practical solution
Hovding and Asakskogen are both in the fifth year of their master’s degree in computer science at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. The two have collaborated on several technology and software development projects since 2022. Both have a particular interest in how technology, data and artificial intelligence can be used to develop new solutions. “It’s incredibly motivating that an idea we developed during the innovation sprint is now going to be tested in connection with such a major event. We have the opportunity to develop something that will actually be used, while learning a great deal about what it takes to turn an idea into a functioning solution,” say Max Roness Hovding and Sivert Asakskogen.
Collaboration that delivers results
The innovation sprint in Tromsø was part of Equinor’s initiative to encourage young people’s interest in technology, STEM subjects and innovation. Through the collaboration with Arctic Race of Norway, Norinnova and Junior Achievement Norway, the students were able to work on real-world challenges and develop ideas with the potential to be put into practice. The continued development of RaceFlow shows how initiatives like these can contribute both to skills development and new solutions. Grete Haaland, Senior Vice President for Exploration & Production North at Equinor, believes RaceOn is a good example of how an idea can grow through collaboration between students, industry and strong professional communities. “Equinor takes a long-term perspective and has ambitions for further growth in the north. To achieve this, we need capacity and expertise. That is why it is so encouraging to see young people in the region using their knowledge and curiosity to solve concrete challenges, and it is inspiring to see the project now being taken forward,” says Haaland.
Support through Arctic Ignite
Through Arctic Ignite, the two students have gained access to professional support. “These are exactly the kinds of projects we want to help move forward. The students started with a specific challenge, developed an idea and demonstrated their willingness to continue working on it. Now they have the opportunity to test the solution together with Arctic Race of Norway. It’s an exciting development both for the students and for the innovation community in Northern Norway,” says Asbjørn Lilletun of Norinnova. On 12 November, the project will be presented at an event at Forskningsparken in Tromsø as part of Arctic Ignite.
More than a cycling race
For Tom Høgli and Arctic Race of Norway, this is about using the cycling race as an arena for technology development, collaboration and value creation in Northern Norway. “We want Arctic Race to generate activity and positive ripple effects far beyond the four days of racing. When we can help young people develop their ideas while also creating new experiences for spectators, it creates value for everyone involved,” says Høgli.