Professor Thorsteinn I. Sigfusson,
Director General
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Innovation Center Iceland
Innovation Center Iceland
started in 2007 and operates under the
Ministry of Industry and receives
revenue from both the public and
private sectors.
Turnover: 10 MUSD
Employees: 90
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Mission
The mission of the Center:
• To strengthen the competitive position of
Icelandic business and increase the quality of
life.
• To diffuse knowledge and give support to
entrepreneurs, growth companies and
innovative enterprises.
• To excel in technology research, product
development, analysis and testing.
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Core Values
The logo symbolises the core values of the
Innovation Center Iceland, which are the
following:
– Growth
– Implementing seed activities
– Partnership and cooperation
– Creativity and invention
– Technology and knowledge.
.
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Technology Research and Consulting
• A leading R&D and business support institute
in Iceland
• Focus on R&D, technology transfer,
education, support for entrepreneurs and
SMEs and consulting in order to increase
innovation, productivity and
competitiveness
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Innovation Center Iceland
8 locations
Director: Þorsteinn I. Sigfusson, Professor and holder of the Global Energy International Prize 2007
Húsavík 2009
Ísafjörður 2007
Sauðárkrókur
2009
Akureyri 2002
Egilsstaðir 2009
Currently
3 Fab Labs
Hornafjörður 2008
Reykjavík
Vestmannaeyjar 2008
Entrepreneurs and SME services
• Center of information and guidance for
entrepreneurs and SMEs
• More than 8000 free support interviews 2010
– Telephone calls and email excluded
– Support programs and grants
• Workshops and courses for the general public
and SMEs
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Entrepreneurs and SME services
• Policy advice on support for innovation and
improved operating conditions for SMEs
• Extensive internet information services
• Publications on management, marketing, and
more
• The host for Enterprise Europe Network
– Boost growth and jobs through small businesses
– Bring together companies
– Powerful databases and knowledge sharing
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ICI Incubator Centers
• Support and facilities for start-up companies
working on innovative business ideas
• Ten years experience at the original center in
the Reykjavik headquarters
• Increased focus on incubator centers
• In just one year, 6 new centers were opened
• Innovation Center Iceland now operates 9
incubators in co-operation with others
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ICI Incubator Centers
• Inexpensive housing (ca. 100 USD per desk
per month)
• Access to printers and internet
• Practical and professional advice
• Networking
• Important support and encouragement
– Psychological
– Motivational
– From employees and other entrepreneurs
Support for Success
• Around 250 new “jobs” in the new centers
since October 2008
– Boost for new companies
– Available access to specialized workforce
• Around 100 businesses are now operating in
the 9 centers with approximately 300
employees
Iceland Fab Lab
• A global network of Fab Labs
• A small workshop with computer controlled
tools with the aim to make „almost everything“
• Open all working days for general public,
sudents, entrepreneurs and small companies
• Operates in three different places:
– Vestmannaeyjar
– Akranes
– Sauðárkrókur
FabLab Iceland is an important
contribution to innovation
• The Vestmannaeyjar facility led by Frosti
Gislason is the hub.
• 7% of the Vestmannaeyjar population is
visiting FabLab every month !
• To have access to The Fab Academy in a
remote area like Vestmannaeyjar – with very
limited higher education provided locally – is
crucial for future development!
New emerging companies like
Remake Electric are using
FabLab technological approach
Multimedia companies like Sigva
and SmartMedia use FabLab to
make the Folk Museum more
interactive!
A new creative artist in Iceland
VERA is using FabLab approach to automate
her unique production of garments from
silicone!
VERA Thordardottir
Prize winner at:
Instituto Marangoni,
London
The new silcone fashion is taking
the world by surprise
Lady GaGa fell for VERA´s fashion!
Conclusion:
• FabLab is helping to advance technological
awareness...
• Seeds have been sawn, knowledge of digital
fabrication technologies is gradually
increasing,,
• We know it will lead to increased
competitiveness of our nation!
• We are witnessing a new kind of eruption –
named FABLAB!
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