Iceland Innovation Week 2025: Where Innovation Meets Icelandic Culture

By , in conferences Iceland on April 24, 2025 . Tagged width: Nordics , Reykjavík

The premier gathering of Nordic innovators, investors, and climate leaders returns to Reykjavík from May 12 to 16, featuring a unique blend of business, sustainability, and Icelandic experiences.

Iceland’s startup ecosystem has been punching above its weight for years, transforming this island nation of just 370,000 people into a surprising innovation powerhouse. From May 12-16, 2025, the country will showcase this dynamic ecosystem during Iceland Innovation Week (IIW), an event that has become a must-attend fixture on the Nordic startup calendar.

🔥 Why Iceland Innovation Week Stands Out

Iceland Innovation Week goes beyond the typical tech event. It is a multi-sensory celebration of ideas, engaging attendees through keynotes, pitch competitions, deep-dive discussions, art installations, and cultural side events. The festival emphasizes community-building while championing climate innovation and inclusion.

Attendees range from local founders and international VCs to climate entrepreneurs and creative technologists. It’s where a small island nation showcases its outsized impact on the global innovation stage.

🌱 Themes & Highlights

Investor Day (May 13)

Curated sessions tailored for VCs, angels, and founders. Expect panel debates, private roundtables, and a VIP experience in Icelandic nature.

Founders Day (May 13)

Workshops and expert panels to equip founders with tools for funding, scaling, marketing, and leadership.

Takeover day (May 14)

The first official day in Kolaportid! Dive deep and get inspired by a day of keynotes, workshops, booths and discussions highlighting innovation across multiple sectors.

Fermented Shark Tank (May 14–15)

Startups pitch their ideas after tasting fermented shark — a wild twist on classic pitch competitions. Semi-finals take place on May 14, with the finals on May 15.

Ok, Bye Climate Summit (May 15)

Not your typical conference: where TEDx meets performance art. Expect climate storytelling, interactive labs, and talks exploring a just transition.

Side Events All Week

Pop-up panels, company visits, founder happy hours, and ocean dips foster spontaneous connection across Reykjavík’s vibrant venues.

🌍 Speakers Lighting Up the Stage

This year’s speaker lineup is not only extensive but electric, bringing together thought leaders and changemakers from across climate tech, fashion innovation, finance, gaming, design, and beyond. Here’s a closer look at some of the standout voices who will ignite fresh conversations and foster powerful collaboration:

Featured Speakers:

Halla Tómasdóttir – President of Iceland; former business leader turned head of state, championing equality and sustainability.
Heidi Lindvall – Partner, Pale Blue Dot; early-stage investor focused on climate tech innovation.
Guðmundur Fertram – CEO, Kerecis; pioneer in using fish skin for medical grafts and wound healing.
Sara Lind Guðbergsdóttir – Climeworks; advancing carbon capture technologies to combat climate change.
Margrét Ormslev Ásgeirsdóttir – Founder, Transition Labs; supporting ventures that address the energy transition.
Navid Samandari – Climate Entrepreneur and Investor; building and backing sustainable businesses.
Bodil Sidén – Partner, Kost Capital; investing in transformative early-stage startups.
Bryan Sivak – CEO, Evidenced; innovating at the intersection of healthcare, tech, and data.
Charlotte Jónsdóttir Biering – DEI Expert; promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations.
Hjörtur Pálmi Pálsson – Founder, Defend Iceland; defending natural environments through activism and technology.
Sigurlaug ‘Silla’ Guðrún Jóhannsdóttir – Founder, HEIMA; reshaping the future of rural living through innovation.
Fabian Siegel – Partner, LifeX Ventures; serial entrepreneur and early-stage investor.
Tzvete Doncheva – Investor, PT1; championing early-stage tech startups across Europe.
Michelle Capiod – Partner, Blume Equity; investing in sustainable growth companies.
Riaan Dreyer – Executive, Íslandsbanki; leader in digital banking and financial innovation.
Svend Hardenberg – CEO, Inuit Development Company; promoting sustainable economic growth in Greenland.
Alexandra Sif Tryggvadottir – Global Partnerships, Spotify; driving innovation at the intersection of music and tech.
Signe M. Sveinbjørnsson – Partner, Heartcore Capital; investing in consumer tech with a human-first approach.
Guðrún Hildur Ragnarsdóttir – CEO, Keeps; building solutions for mental wellness and self-care.
Margrét Rán – Performer and Composer; bridging art and storytelling through music.
Gunnar Steinn Valgarðsson – Founder, Aldin Dynamics; leading virtual reality innovation from Iceland.
Emilie Christensen – Project Manager, Nordic Edge; promoting smart cities and sustainable urban development.
Lena Thiede – Co-founder, Planet A Ventures; funding startups that tackle the climate crisis.
Michael Hendrix – Founder, Creative Director, Professor, and Author; shaping the future of design and entrepreneurship.
Heath Cardie – Founder, New Iceland Advisors; advising on sustainable investments and ventures.
Adam Roy Gordon – Founder, GlacialEdge Advisory; supporting climate-focused entrepreneurs and VCs.
Lóa Hlín Hjálmtýsdóttir – Writer and Artist; using creative storytelling to foster cultural change.
Sissel Hansen – Founder, Startup Guide; empowering entrepreneurs through city-focused startup handbooks.
Mette Louise V. Carstensen – Founder, Augmented Hearing; innovating in hearing aid and sound technology.
Davíð Simonarson – Founder, Smitten; reinventing dating apps with authenticity and humor.
Arelys Sosa – Founder, DREV; designing new regenerative economic models.
Lilja Dögg Jónsdóttir – Director, Almannarómur; promoting Icelandic language and cultural preservation.
Guðfinnur Sveinsson – Founder, Brineworks; innovating sustainable mineral extraction.
Thea Messel – Founder, Unconventional Ventures; investing in diverse founding teams driving impact.
Sunneva Sverrisdóttir – CEO, CO/PLUS; building community-driven innovation spaces.
Heini Zachariassen – Founder, Vivino; creator of the world’s largest wine app and community.
Dóra Júlía – Journalist and DJ; blending media and music to tell new generational stories.
Destana Herring – Principal, Regeneration.VC; investing in climate-focused consumer innovations.
José Ramos – MIT Corporate Relations; connecting groundbreaking tech with corporate innovation.
Anna Margrét Gunnarsdóttir – CEO, Altso; empowering young entrepreneurs.
Alma Möller – Minister of Health, Iceland; leading healthcare reform and innovation.
Guðbjörg Edda Eggertsdóttir – Industry Leader; veteran executive driving growth in life sciences.
Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson – Minister of the Environment, Energy and Climate; leading Iceland’s green transition.
Katrín Jakobsdóttir – Former Prime Minister of Iceland; advocate for equality, education, and climate action.
Logi Már Einarsson – Minister of Culture, Innovation, and Higher Education; fostering creative industries and tech.
Kristjan Gunnarsson – Founder, ArcanaBio; innovating at the frontier of biotech and sustainability.
Bob Crimmins – Founder, Startup Haven; building vibrant startup communities.
Clive Eley – Rock Flour Company; promoting sustainable mineral products.
Ruth Daniels – CEO, In Place of War; empowering creatives in conflict zones globally.
Martin Soltau – Co-CEO, Space Solar; pioneering solar energy from space technologies.
Gudmundur Kristjansson (GK) – CEO, Lucinity; fighting financial crime with AI-powered solutions.
Magnus Hardarson – President, Nasdaq Iceland; advancing Iceland’s capital markets.
Anna Søndergaard – Partner, The Footprint Firm; accelerating impact-driven businesses.
Linda Malm – NVIDIA; driving innovation at the global leader in AI and computing.

The full roster includes more trailblazers from MIT, Planet A Ventures, Nordic Edge, Climate VC, Unconventional Ventures, and other notable organisations. Their sessions will range from bold keynotes to intimate panels — sparking ideas, challenging norms, and setting the tone for the future of innovation.

🌊 More Than a Conference: Side Events Across Reykjavík

The side event programme at Iceland Innovation Week is a festival within the festival — over 40 open events across Reykjavík, from thought-provoking panels and guided startup tours to cold dips, happy hours, and Nordic flavour battles. Organised under themes like Green up your act ♻️, Makes cents 💰, Game ON 🎮, and Deep Dive 🥽, these side events bring together local energy and global expertise in ways only Iceland can.

Here are just a few highlights:

May 12: Kick off with a 5k Run hosted by Sidekick Health at Kolaportið and a guided grocery tour, From Aisles to App, at Krónan Granda.
May 13: Power up at Gróska with panels like Sales Stories for Scale-ups (TrinityHawk), From Idea to Funding Bootcamp (Inspiralia), and Powering the Future – Innovation in Renewable Energy (Orkuklasinn). End with Celebrating Inclusivity in Gaming at CCP Games.
May 14: From How to Raise as a Zebra (Circular Library Network) to Darts & Deals 🎯 (Nordic Ignite) and Entrepreneurs Unfiltered at Reykjavík University, Wednesday hits deep on founder journeys and ecosystem insight.
May 15: Explore climate tech and policy at Ecobites – Sustainable Food Future (Gleipnir) or unwind with Startup SuperNova Fckup Night* by KLAK.
May 16: Conclude with an icy ocean dip at Nauthólsvík and the Founders Share Stories from the Road at Aranja.

With side events at venues like Gróska, Geirsgata 4, CCP Games, the Iceland Ocean Cluster, and beyond, attendees get to experience Reykjavík not just as a backdrop, but as active participants in the innovation conversation.

From pop-ups to policy deep dives, these side events ensure there’s always something to learn, explore, or celebrate.

From coffee rituals to the midnight sun, every moment is a chance to connect. Iceland Innovation Week invites you to build lasting bonds, not just exchange business cards.

🧠 Iceland’s Innovation Ecosystem: Small but Mighty

With a population of just 370,000, Iceland stands out in the global innovation arena. Its startup ecosystem thrives on renewable energy, a resilient culture, government support, and a deep commitment to sustainability.

Key sectors:

Green tech

Carbfix: Pioneers a revolutionary technology that captures CO2 and permanently stores it by turning it into stone underground within two years.
Atmonia: enables zero-carbon ammonia production with its patented nitrogen electrolyser, using only air, water, and renewable electricity.
Algalíf: Produces high-quality algae-based products for food and feed, promoting sustainable aquaculture and nutrition.

Fintech

Lucinity: Uses AI-driven solutions to enhance anti-money laundering and financial crime detection.
Meniga: Provides digital banking solutions that empower banks and customers with personalised financial management tools.
Authenteq: Offers automated identity verification and authentication services that leverage blockchain technology.

Gaming

CCP Games: Creator of the globally renowned online space MMO, EVE Online, known for its complex virtual universe and player-driven economy[general knowledge].
Solid Clouds: Develops innovative multiplayer tactical shooter games combining immersive gameplay and cutting-edge technology.

Healthtech

Kerecis: Manufactures medical fish skin products that promote wound healing and tissue regeneration using natural biomaterials.
Oculis: Develops novel ophthalmic treatments targeting eye diseases through innovative drug delivery systems.
Sidekick Health: Combines digital therapeutics and gamification to support chronic disease management and patient engagement.

Support infrastructure includes:

Accelerators: Startup Reykjavik, KLAK
Innovation hubs: Gróska, Nordic House
Government programs: Tech Development Fund, Growth Agreements

Iceland Innovation Week serves as both a showcase and a catalyst for this growing ecosystem, connecting local founders with global opportunities.

How to Participate

For international visitors interested in experiencing Iceland’s innovation ecosystem firsthand, Iceland Innovation Week offers various participation options. The festival’s main events will take place at venues across Reykjavík, with the climate summit and keynote sessions held at a central festival venue.

Whether you’re an investor seeking the next Nordic unicorn, a founder looking to connect with peers and mentors, or simply curious about how a small island nation has built such an impressive innovation ecosystem, Iceland Innovation Week 2025 promises a uniquely valuable experience.

For more information and registration details, visit innovationweek.is