On January 1, 2025, I was deeply honored to receive the Order of the Falcon from the President of Iceland. This recognition celebrates not only my journey in building a vibrant startup community but also the collective efforts of countless entrepreneurs, mentors, and visionaries who have fueled Iceland’s rise as a hub for innovation. Together, we’ve transformed potential into success, proving that with trust, collaboration, and bold dreams, anything is possible. This award is a testament to what we’ve built—and the limitless opportunities ahead.
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I have been working with technology for over three decades now. People sometimes ask me what has changed the most …
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I spend most of my professional life thinking about trust. As an early-stage investor, I’m constantly reminded that capital is …
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The ocean economy is a vital yet underappreciated global system, contributing approximately USD 2.6 trillion in 2020. Advancements in technology, including AI and sensor networks, have begun transforming this sector, enhancing productivity and enabling sustainable growth. Invested wisely, this can unlock new markets and improve ecological outcomes.
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Finding parking in downtown Reykjavik shouldn’t need a PhD in Icelandic parking rules. Yet for visitors—and honestly, even for locals—figuring …
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The crisis of free speech is not about what people are allowed to say, but about what systems choose to amplify—and what governments choose to punish.
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Gervigreind er ekki lengur fjarlæg hugmynd sem bíður einhvers staðar í framtíðinni. Hún er þegar orðin hluti af verkfærum okkar, …
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AI is no longer an abstract idea. It is embedded in our tools and services. It is increasingly noticeable in …
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Eftir Bala Kamallakharan (the original article in English can be found here) Í október 2025 komst íslenski fasteignalána markaðurinn á …
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In October 2025, the Icelandic mortgage market reached an inflection point. The Supreme Court ruled against Íslandsbanki in a landmark …
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This morning, I was staring at a stock chart. A small toggle at the bottom—Linear vs Log—caught my eye. I …
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A new, real-time news hub on Startup Iceland brings the latest headlines from Iceland—translated to English—so founders, investors, and friends of the ecosystem can follow along from anywhere.
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What It Really Means to Be Aligned with Founders Every VC on LinkedIn says the same thing: “We couldn’t have …
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The Balancing Power of India: From Civilization to Startups to Global Leadership Every time I return to India, I’m reminded …
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The Dissonance Between the Digital and the Real
We live in a world where everything online looks finished — startups, ideas, even people — while reality remains imperfect, slow, and deeply human. This essay explores how the digital world distorts our sense of progress and truth, how that distortion has been hijacked to spread anxiety, and why thinking for oneself has become a radical act in the age of digital illusion.
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AI may be eating the world, but humans cannot eat AI. As billions pour into artificial intelligence, we risk neglecting the very systems that sustain life—our oceans, our food, our climate. To secure our future, we must balance investment in code with investment in carbon, building sustainable value where humanity’s needs meet technological innovation.
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As Iceland’s marine industries face mounting financial and environmental pressures, the need for innovation has never been greater. Startups are uniquely positioned to revitalize the Blue Economy—bringing fresh ideas, agile technologies, and sustainable models to an industry in transition. From rural job creation and emissions reduction to smarter data systems and global competitiveness, these ventures will not only support resilience—they will define the future of ocean-based prosperity.
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Iceland’s sweeping fishing fee reform marks a historic shift in how the nation manages its marine resources. By linking fees to international market prices, the policy promises a surge in government revenue but poses serious risks to industry profitability, rural livelihoods, and investment incentives. With coastal communities bearing the brunt and innovation budgets under pressure, the stakes extend far beyond taxation. This blog unpacks the economic, political, and environmental dimensions of the reform—and what it could mean for the future of Iceland’s fishing industry and national identity.
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When we launched Startup Iceland in 2012, few believed a startup ecosystem could take root in Iceland. But with the support of early believers like Brad Feld—who not only keynoted our first conference but also mentored founders in person—we planted the seeds of a Give First culture. Since then, mentorship has become the foundation of everything I do, from Startup Reykjavik to the investment funds I manage. I dedicate one hour every week to each founder we back—because generosity and compassion aren’t just values, they’re strategies for long-term success. Brad’s upcoming book, Give First – The Power of Mentorship, captures this beautifully. It’s not just a philosophy—it’s how we build the future.
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We are thrilled to announce the launch of Blue Nova Ventures. This is a new venture fund born out of …
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The role of government in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship has long been debated. This blog post was inspired by a …
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