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"Norwagon" awarded best young entreprenour

Matthew Lynch and his company Norwagon became Barents Young Entrepreneur of the year 2014 at the annual Barents Reunion conference in Haparanda.

HAPARANDA: Norwagon founder Matthew Lynch is aimed on getting adventurous persons to far-flung spots on low cost.

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Matthew Lynch has with his company Norwagon given people the freedom to explore the more remote regions of the Barents Region by car. It is a “part vehicle, part experience” service and is aimed at getting adventurous persons to far-­‐flung spots. With the rental of a practical camper van from Norwagon, the traveller can remove the cost of a hotel or a more expensive camper. 

For this idea Matthew Lynch won the pitching competition Dragon’s Den, which makes him the best young entrepreneour of the Barents Region in 2014. The Dragon’s Den prize was awarded to him on the Barents Reunion conference in Tornio/Haparanda. Founder of IKEA Ingvar Kamprad supports the annual conference and was also present during the award ceremony.

The Norwagon could bring you to places you didn’t even know existed.

Lynch is originally from New Zealand and setteled down in Norway five years ago after a vacation where he fell for Norways beautiful nature and discovered great potential for tourism. To make it more accessable he came up with Norwagon. 

“It’s wheels to get you out there by day; then by night, the van converts into a little home away from home.”, says Matthew Lynch

All Norwagons are fitted with a double bed, cooking facilities and even a kitchen sink. The vans are painted up and designed for the budget traveler with everything you need. Travelers used to backpacking understand and embrace the ‘value for money’ approach.

Lynch is participating in the Kolarctic ENPI CBC project ”Young, innovative entrepreneurs”, that in addition is supported by the three northernmost counties in Norway; Nordland, Troms and Finnmark, The Norwegian Barents Secretariat and Landsdelsutvalget.

The jury consisted of the previous Entrpreneur of the year, and young entrepreneur of the year in Barents, Yngve Bergheim. Michael Dahlen, Cecilia Fritzon Gårdnäs and Therese Östling was the other jury members. The jury’s decision was based on that the business idea showed great potential for scalability, it was budget friendly and that it had already been tested in a small scale, showing great results. The jury was also impressed by the pitch and Lynchs’ ability to communicate the idea and convince the audience.