Why Trust Matters: Insights from Nordic Strategies
I spend most of my professional life thinking about trust. As an early-stage investor, I’m constantly reminded that capital is …
Iceland
When Helpful Machines Hurt: Ranking AI Risks and What Iceland Can Do About Them
AI is no longer an abstract idea. It is embedded in our tools and services. It is increasingly noticeable in …
Introducing Startup Iceland News: Your English Hub for Icelandic Headlines
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.
Transforming Iceland’s Fishing Industry: A Startup’s Guide
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.
How Fishing Fee Changes Affect Iceland’s Economy
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.
A New Year’s Honor: Receiving the Order of the Falcon from the President of Iceland
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.
Kerecis: Building Iceland’s First Unicorn
In the world of medical technology and innovation, few companies have captured the essence of nature, tradition, and cutting-edge science …
FutureCast #11 – Ingibjörg Magnúsdóttir, fundraising director at UNICEF Iceland
In recent years, there has been a growing trend of collaboration between startups and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to create innovative …
Survey: How tourism will boost the innovation boom in Iceland
This summer, Rannís is supporting a market survey to identify which services could be adapted for innovative companies as well …
Finnur Pind – Founder at Startup Iceland 2022
Finnur has contributed significant advancements in several interrelated fields such as wave based acoustic simulations and virtual acoustics through his …
Circular Economy in Action – Part 3
Carbon Recycle International was started over 16 years ago to take CO2 from a geothermal power plant and convert that into Fuel to be used. In the 3rd part of Circular Economy in Action, we cover CRI
Circular Economy in Action – Part II
Sustainable technologies like what Orf Genetics in Iceland has created can dramatically reduce the cost of producing protein and even more exciting is that no animals are killed to produce these proteins.
Circular Economy in Action in Iceland – #FutureCast Episode 11
There is a circular economy in action in Iceland. We produced a 4 part FutureCast episode on that. The first part is our conversation with HS Orka and Blue Lagoon. Startup Iceland 2022’s theme this year is Circular Economy and Sustainability.
FutureCast #10 Helgi Hrafn Gunnarsson – Space Iceland
In our newest edition of the FutureCast we talk to recovering politician Helgi Hrafn Gunnarsson. Helgi is a software developer …
FutureCast #9 Ari Jónsson – NASA, CASSINI AWAREGO and Reykjavik University
A new episode of FutureCat is up on the web, this time we talk to Ari Jónsson. Ari is a …
Orca! The world’s best bet against climate change?
Today, the Swiss company Climeworks formally opened the air purification plant Orca in Iceland. It has only been sixteen months …
FutureCast #8: The Composting Company
In this episode of the FutureCast, Bala talks to Björk Brynjarsdóttir and Julian Brenner from the Composting Company (Icelandic: Jarðgerðarfélagið). …
FutureCast: Episode 7 Anna Worthington De Matos, founder and CEO of Reykjavik Tool Library
Sharing tools, teaching people how to fix things and also being an activist on reducing waste. Anna moved to Iceland from the UK but is originally from Brazil, we talk about Circular Economy, sustainability and how to reuse tools.
FutureCast: Episode 6 Kathryn Gunnarsson founder and CEO of Geko
The 6th episode of Futurecast was a conversation with Kathryn Gunnarsson the CEO and founder of Geko a talent agency. Kathryn has made Iceland her home and we talk about a number of things related to building a diverse team and leadership.