Hans Nielsen Hauge (3 April 1771 – 29 March 1824) was a 19th-century Norwegian Lutheran lay minister, spiritual leader, business entrepreneur, social reformer and author.

In addition to his religious work, he offered practical advice, encouraging such things as settlements in Northern Norway.

He began preaching about "the living faith" in Norway and Denmark after a mystical experience that he believed called him to share the assurance of salvation with others.

His surviving son, Andreas Hauge, became a priest in the Church of Norway and Member of the Norwegian Parliament.

He led charismatic meetings, and his organization became an informal network that in many ways challenged the establishment of the state church.

In the late eighteenth century a normal service at a church in Christiania would be attended by fewer than 20 people – of a population of nearly 10,000.

In this matter Hauge was but one of several contributors, but he was one of the most influential – especially so in the way he combined economics and Christian morals: modesty, honesty and hard work among them.

They had often worked their way up to prosperity in a short time, a result of Haugean focus on diligence, economic enterprise and frugality.

[26] The institute seeks to raise awareness about Hauge, his ethical thinking and topicality and to impart inspiration to the business and educational community as well as society in general.

Based on his thinking and practice, the Hauge Institute focuses on the ethical dimension in three main areas: leadership, entrepreneurship, and trade and the environment.

Two of the most important are St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and the Norwegian School of Economics in Bergen, Norway.