startupiceland

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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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To Kria or Not to Kria - The debate on Iceland Government funded venture capital fund

The role of government in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship has long been debated. This blog post was inspired by a news article. The Government Efficiency committee in Iceland proposed closing Kria. This refers to the government-funded venture fund. The intention is to pay down the government debt. Government funded venture capital fund in Iceland has served the ecosystem well. There are…

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Transforming Oceans: Join the Copernicus Hackathon

🌊 **Hack the Ocean!** 🌊 Join us at the **Copernicus Hackathon** in Reykjavík, Iceland, and be part of a transformative journey to tackle the toughest challenges facing our oceans.

Hackathons are foundations for tinkering, learning and innovation For over a decade, I have had the privilege of organizing and participating in hackathons through Startup Iceland. These events nurture innovation and collaboration in Reykjavik and across Iceland. These hackathons have brought together students, entrepreneurs, technologists, and visionaries. They foster a community that thrives…

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The Importance of Self-Compassion for Founders

Building a company is one of the hardest things you'll ever do, and being hard on yourself only makes it harder. Remember: self-compassion is not a weakness—it's a superpower. Treat yourself with the same kindness you’d show a teammate. You deserve it. 💪

Building a company is one of the most challenging endeavors a person can undertake. Founders are no strangers to sleepless nights, tough decisions, and the unrelenting pressure to succeed. As someone who has worked closely with founders and seen their journeys unfold, I’ve noticed a recurring theme: many founders are incredibly hard on themselves. This is especially true for founders in the…

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Driving Change Through FinTech – Empowering Mission-Driven Founders

In an increasingly interconnected world, the financial technology (FinTech) sector holds transformative potential. As an investor focused on mission-driven founders solving hard problems, I believe FinTech offers unparalleled opportunities to address societal challenges, drive financial inclusion, and create sustainable growth. By supporting entrepreneurs who blend innovation with purpose, we can…

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Founders Ventures Backs ALDIN Biodome for Climate Resilience

Founders Ventures announces investment in Iceland's ALDIN Biodome project. The funding will support the development of a unique indoor nature experience, featuring diverse ecosystems within biodomes, promoting sustainability, education, and tourism in Rey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFounders Ventures Invests in ALDIN Biodome to Create Geo-Climate Infrastructure in Iceland Reykjavik, Iceland — [November 22, 2024] — Founders Ventures, a leading seed fund empowering visionary entrepreneurs, is proud to announce its investment in ALDIN Biodome (ALDIN), a pioneering project creating sustainable geo-climate infrastructure in Iceland. ALDIN aims to deliver a…

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Redefining the Narrative: Taking Control of Our Future and Climate Change

After a short break I have started to write and as always I am a definite optimist i.e. working on building the future that has definite results. Climate and sustainability are buzz words but we can ensure that they become more than that.

Building the Future through Circular and Green Innovation was the topic of my talk in Ljubliana, Slovenia this last week. The event was hosted by the Regional Development Agency of Ljubliana urban region. I was delighted to be invited to talk about something that I spend a lot of time thinking about and investing in founders working on these solutions. The organization of the event was excellent…

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Startup Iceland GPT

Startup Iceland GPT is now available and it encapsulates some of the advice and presentations that I have given over the years. We will be adding the video content soon to the GPT.

If you have not been following the developments of OpenAI, I think you should. I am encouraging all our portfolio companies to build using A.I. We have made exponential progress in the last year than the last decade, however one can say it takes time for things to take off. I think we are already in the age of A.I. I used the GPT builder to create our own Startup Iceland GPT. A mentor for…

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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 quite like Kerecis Iceland. This remarkable journey, led by visionary entrepreneur Guðmundur Fentram, has recently reached a historic zenith with Kerecis’ acquisition by Coloplast for an astounding $1.3 billion. A Visionary’s Dream: Guðmundur Fentram Every…

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Startup Iceland Conference 2023

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Startup Iceland 2023 - Mentoring Session

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Tryggvi Davidsson: Empowering Startups as COO of Indó

Tryggvi Davidsson, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Indó, is set to speak at Startup Iceland 2023 on June 1st, 2023. With a wealth of experience and a passion for empowering startups, Tryggvi brings invaluable insights to the conference. Let’s delve into his background and expertise, highlighting his role at INDO and his impact on the startup ecosystem. Tryggvi Davidsson, a Master’s degree…

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The 90 Second Pitch - Startup Iceland 2023

Deed Delivery Deed is a software company revolutionizing last-mile delivery by tackling the biggest problem in the industry: failed deliveries, which comprise approximately 5% of home package deliveries worldwide, costing an average of $17.2 per failure. Through our innovative operating system we have reduced failed deliveries by over 40% with our pilot customer, UPS Iceland while significantly…

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Einar Stefánsson: A Visionary in Ophthalmology and EntrepreneurshipEinar Stefánsson

As Startup Iceland 2023 approaches, anticipation builds for the dynamic founders panel, where innovative minds and trailblazing ideas will converge. Among the distinguished participants, Einar Stefánsson stands out as a luminary in both the field of ophthalmology and the startup ecosystem. An accomplished professor of ophthalmology, co-founder of renowned startups such as Oculis and Retinarisk,…

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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 solutions for social and environmental challenges. Startups are known for their agility, creativity, and willingness to take risks, while NGOs bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and established networks to the table. This collaboration has led to…

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David Shapiro: Revolutionizing Venture Capital at Startup Iceland 2023

David Shapiro, the Co-Founder and CEO/CFO of OPEN, a pioneering venture capital fund supported by the New York Stock Exchange, is a visionary in the world of finance. With a diverse background in investment banking, strategic advising, and real estate, David is driving innovation and democratization in the venture ecosystem. He will be taking the stage at Startup Iceland 2023 alongside Bre Pettis…

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Oddur Sturluson, MC at Startup Iceland 2023

Oddur Sturluson is a prominent figure in the Icelandic startup and innovation community. He has been involved in the industry since starting his first business while at university in 2013 and has since worked with numerous founders and small companies to empower them. In addition to his work with startups, Sturluson has also managed and participated in various programs aimed at improving the…