Main Sponsor: Stiftelsen Kristian Gerhard Jebsen
The foundation Stiftelsen Kristian Gerhard Jebsen is the main sponsor and the exclusive private contributor to the competition.
Kristian Gerhard Jebsen (1927-2004) founded the Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Skipsrederi AS (KGJS) shipping company in 1967. The following year, he took the initiative to establish the international Gearbulk Ltd shipping pool, with his company as one of four partners.
Jebsen’s unique knowledge of international shipping, combined with his visionary talents, great capacity for work and ability to motivate and lead, allowed him to build up a business which ranks today as a world leader in its fields. He is remembered as a distinctive and innovative player in the development of the shipping industry from the 1950s and until his death in London in 2004.
Jebsen’s family has wished to honor his memory and his contribution to Norwegian and international shipping and business. Accordingly, Aud Jebsen took the initiative in 2009 to create the foundation Stiftelsen Kristian Gerhard Jebsen, which she established together with her three sons.
The foundation Stiftelsen Kristian Gerhard Jebsen wants to contribute to the realization of projects on international level. So far the foundation has funded 18 K.G. Jebsen Medical Research Centers. Its cultural commitment includes support to The Bergen International Festival, Leif Ove Andsnes project "The Beethoven Journey", The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and The International Edvard Grieg Piano Competition 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018.
