Cluster Insight With Scantrol Deep Vision

– Although there is no guarantee that we will succeed, we think Deep Vision can revolutionize the fisheries as they are practiced today, says Hege Hammersland-White.

This article was first published 10 June 2020.

Cluster Insight is a column where we ask six questions to catch a glimpse into the daily business-lives of our cluster partners and members.

This week, we spoke with Hege Hammersland-White to learn more about her and her work in Scantrol Deep Vision.

1. What is your role in Scantrol Deep Vision?

My main areas of responsibility are sales, marketing and business development. However, we are a small company, so everyone contributes where needed, whether it’s getting an order out of the house or working on the long-term strategy of the company.

Every day looks different which is why I like the energy of an entrepreneurial environment.

2. Your main focus at work right now is?

Deep Vision is our underwater monitoring and fish selection system for use in a trawl. In 2018, we sold the first systems for use with marine research vessels, so our current focus is to increase sales in this market.

In addition, we are working on a version for commercial trawlers that will make it possible to sort the catch in the sea based on species and size. This is where the technology really has the potential to transform the way we harvest the ocean’s resources.

I am also in the final stages of an Executive MBA program in Seafood Management organized by the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH). This is an international program that I highly recommend for people who want to the immerse themselves in the core issues and possibilities of the seafood industry.

3. Biggest challenges and/or opportunities for Scantrol Deep Vision in the future?

Obviously, as a company with a newly commercialized technology the timing of the COVID-19 situation was not ideal for us. Our main challenge now is to finance the final steps of development for commercial trawlers.

A third of the ocean’s commercial fish stocks are currently overfished so developing more sustainable fishing practices is urgent. Although there is no guarantee that we will succeed, we think Deep Vision can revolutionize the fisheries as they are practiced today.

On a larger scale, I believe there is considerable untapped potential in the blue industries for women to participate where important decisions are made. We have just emerged from a three-month crash course in what really matters, such as health, community and a clean environment.

It’s time to put politics aside and call all men and women on deck to build healthy businesses for the next generation whilst making sure there is still some snow left on the mountains for them to enjoy at the weekends.

Research shows that women work with a longer time horizon, a perspective that is very valuable, especially when it comes to business strategy. I think it’s time for women to speak louder and the industry to listen more carefully.

4. Best part of being member in a cluster

The COVID-19 situation has really shown us the strength of working together in the cluster. As a small company, there is not always time to keep an overview of what is going on in all relevant areas and the support we have had in keeping up to date in such areas as financing opportunities has been invaluable to us.

5. Your business motto

Growth can only happen outside your comfort zone. In business, as in life, we should try to find our sweet point between doing what we are comfortable with and accepting a degree of discomfort in order to grow into new territories.

Whenever my children hesitate to try something new, I ask them “What is the worst thing that can happen?” If you break that down, one of three things may happen: You fail and decide that your efforts are better employed elsewhere.

You fail and start again from a wiser place. Or, hopefully, you succeed!

6. Which cluster member should we interview next?

I always value an outsider’s perspective so it would be exciting to hear from the newest member of the cluster!

Thank you for the insight Hege.

Learn more about Scantrol Deep Vision.