The Innovation Journey: From LAN Parties to Million-NOK Apps

In the realm of tech innovation, every idea has the potential to spark a revolution. For Rada Labs, what began with a LAN party and several hackathons has flourished into a mission to transform the digital landscape. This journey transcends mere app creation, focusing instead on redefining engagement through our pioneering SaaS solutions. As we prepare for Startup Extreme, our goals are clear: to secure the investment needed for scaling our SaaS solution and to build connections that could blossom into valuable customer relationships and strategic partnerships.
Heidi Kortner
Published on
April 10, 2024

In the realm of tech innovation, every idea has the potential to spark a revolution. For Rada Labs, what began with a LAN party and several hackathons has flourished into a mission to transform the digital landscape. This journey transcends mere app creation, focusing instead on redefining engagement through our pioneering SaaS solutions.

Rada Labs specializes in a scalable ecosystem of white-label apps and web apps. Our core vision is to shape the future of digitalization by enhancing digital engagement across the education and business sectors with our innovative app and web technology, alongside a powerful administration platform.

Founded by Rasmus Tyrén and Dan Olsrød, two visionaries united by their passion for technology, Rada Labs has evolved from ambitious ideas to pioneering digital solutions that impact thousands. Their shared experiences and insights gained from organizing LAN parties laid the groundwork for a venture poised to challenge and innovate within the tech sector.

Embarking on the Startup Extreme Adventure with a Vision

As we prepare for Startup Extreme, our goals are clear: to secure the investment needed for scaling our SaaS solution and to build connections that could blossom into valuable customer relationships and strategic partnerships. Startup Extreme is a pivotal moment for Rada Labs, attracting potential investors and collaborators who share our enthusiasm for digital innovation. We're excited to showcase our achievements and our future direction—revolutionizing digital engagement with our white-label solutions, designed to deliver unmatched value to our SaaS customers.

Photo by: Marte Willumstad

The Minds Behind the Innovation

Rasmus Tyrén, CEO & Founder, leverages his expertise in business economics and entrepreneurial drive to lead Rada Labs. His unique ability to understand customer needs and technological opportunities has been key to our growth and innovation.

Dan Olsrød, CTO & Founder, contributes a wealth of IT experience and a profound grasp of software and cloud development. His leadership over the technical team and his strategic vision have been vital to Rada Labs' success.

Supported by a dedicated team of developers, Rada Labs thrives on creativity, technical skill, and a shared commitment to excellence. Additionally, our partnership with the Student Welfare Organization in Southeastern Norway not only underscores our community ties but also enhances our capacity to innovate and deliver.

The Lightbulb Moment That Illuminated Our Path

A defining moment in our journey was the decision to white-label the Student Sørøst app. During a brainstorming session filled with ideas, the suggestion to offer our platform to other organizations was a game-changer. This pivot to white-labeling, transforming a specific app into a versatile SaaS solution, set the stage for unprecedented digital engagement opportunities for numerous users.

This autumn marks a significant milestone as we launch our SaaS for the Student Welfare Organization in Innlandet, reaching 15,000 students at HINN. Moreover, our engagement with 18,000 students at USN underscores our impact and the expansive reach of our solutions.

Photo by: Helene Vego

A Comical Twist: The Unexpected Dating App Saga

Our journey into the app world began with an ambitious soft launch, supported by our enthusiastic team and a wide circle of friends, family, and university networks across Norway. Eager to explore our app's broad appeal, we employed Facebook's targeted marketing algorithms to reach a diverse audience. However, this strategy led us down an unexpected path when our social media app was mistakenly perceived as a dating platform by users in a particular Asian country. Misinterpretations fueled by our phone number-sharing feature resulted in a barrage of late-night calls for many of our Norwegian users, prompting a rapid reassessment of our privacy settings and a more nuanced approach to our marketing strategy.

This episode underscored the importance of clear communication and the unpredictable nature of tech projects, teaching us valuable lessons in privacy and marketing precision. It exemplifies the resilience and adaptability at the heart of the startup experience.

Embracing the Future: Our Journey Continues

As we reflect on the path that has led Rada Labs from spirited LAN party gatherings to the forefront of tech innovation, our journey underscores a truth central to the startup ethos: innovation is a journey replete with both challenges and triumphs. It's a narrative not just about technological breakthroughs but about the people, the unexpected detours, and the shared vision that propels us forward. As we stand on the precipice of exciting new ventures and partnerships, especially with our imminent SaaS launch this autumn, we remain committed to our mission of transforming digital engagement. With the support of investors, partners, and the vibrant community at Startup Extreme, we are poised to write the next chapter in our story, one innovative solution at a time.

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