Vegard Aksnes

Partner, PhD

Phone: +47 918 74 693
Email: vegard.aksnes@inaq.no
LinkedIn

Vegard holds a Master’s degree in Mathematics and a PhD in Marine Technology, both from NTNU. He has extensive experience as a research manager, project leader, and researcher from 14 years at SINTEF Ocean. Vegard has led major R&D projects funded both directly by industry partners and through the Research Council of Norway. From 2018 to 2023, he established and led a Centre for Research-based Innovation called SFI BLUES – Future Ocean Structures.
At INAQ, Vegard works with strategy, technology development, analysis, mapping, and due diligence, assisting aquaculture companies, technology suppliers, and investors.

Expertise
  • Aquaculture structures and marine technology
  • Renewable ocean energy and offshore solutions
  • Research and innovation management
  • Strategy and business development
  • Project management in complex collaborative projects
Experience
  • Partner – INAQ AS (2024–present). Advisory within strategy, business development, and aquaculture technology.
  • Research Manager – SINTEF Ocean AS (2017–2024). Responsible for research groups in marine structures and operations (15–25 researchers).
  • Centre Director – SFI BLUES (2020–2024). Established and led a Centre for Research-based Innovation with 16 partners and a budget of NOK 190 million.
  • Research Manager – MARINTEK (2015–2016). Development of aquaculture structures as a business area within MARINTEK.
  • Researcher – MARINTEK (2010–2015). Research and project management within offshore oil & gas and floating wind. Led several major industry-funded projects on simulation tools for marine structures and marine operations.
Education
  • Leadership development (various courses), SINTEF
  • PhD in Marine Structural Engineering, NTNU (2007–2010)
  • MSc in Mathematics, NTNU (2005–2007)
  • BSc in Natural Sciences/Mathematics, University of Bergen (2002–2005)
Selected Contributions
  • SFI BLUES: Established and led the research centre for future ocean structures (NOK 190 million, 2020–2024).
  • KPN LFCS: Project Manager for research on coastal structures and floating bridges, funded by the Research Council of Norway and industry partners (NOK 22 million, 2017–2021).
  • Renewable ocean energy: Responsible for the market area at SINTEF Ocean (2020–2023).
  • Aquaculture structures: Project Manager for model testing (2015–2016).
  • Software for simulation of marine structures and operations: Project management, development, product ownership.
Personal Approach

Vegard combines strong analytical skills with practical execution ability. He is clear and structured in his approach and thrives at the intersection between research and industry. With the ability to build relationships across sectors, he fosters collaborative processes and solutions that create lasting value for clients.

Vegard Aksnes