Norway’s leading impact conference on hiatus: "Sometimes you need to take a step back"

Katapult Future Fest (KFF) in Oslo, which has grown into one of the Nordic region's largest gatherings for impact investors and entrepreneurs since its 2017 launch, is skipping next year to refocus its strategy.

The announcement comes from Katapult Foundation, the Norwegian impact organisation behind the event, which says it's time for a rethink.

"We want to create space for an emergence of thought, to build a platform for scaled impact and long-term sustainability. To level up we have therefore, with great intentions, chosen to call off KFF2025 to reflect, realign, and envision what's next", the organisers said in a statement.

Avoiding Competition

The pause comes amid what Katapult describes as an increasingly crowded impact event landscape, where competition sometimes overshadows collaboration. They're also keen to find ways to keep their community engaged throughout the year, rather than just during the annual conference.

"One of our biggest challenges has been the need for more resources to support year-round engagement. This pause allows us to reassess our approach, gather insights, and explore new questions", they added.

The team writes that this isn't goodbye – more of a strategic timeout. The event's WhatsApp group, which connects its network of impact players, will remain active during the hiatus.

"When Katapult Future Fest returns, it will be more robust and aligned with a community united in stewarding life’s future," the organisers said.

The news comes as one of the festival's key figures, Ida Faldbakken, who also served as CEO of the Katapult X hub, recently announced her departure from the company.