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Iceland Innovation Week: What to Know Before You Go
Read Time
4 min
•
Iceland Innovation Week: What to Know Before You Go
Read Time
4 min
•
Iceland Innovation Week: What to Know Before You Go
Read Time
4 min
Where else would a startup festival send you home with saltwater in your hair?
Where else would a startup festival send you home with saltwater in your hair?
Where else would a startup festival send you home with saltwater in your hair?
Iceland Innovation Week takes over Reykjavík once a year with talks, panels, and events spread across the city. Think innovation centers, old fish markets, and spots that feel nothing like a conference room. Founders, investors, and curious visitors all show up, and somehow it never feels like work if you’ve been looking for a reason to book that trip to Iceland, this might be it.
What Is Iceland Innovation Week?
Iceland Innovation Week is Reykjavík’s annual festival for startups, new ideas, and the people who chase them. Instead of a single stage and a badge with a lanyard, different companies and organizations host their own events. What makes it stand out is where everything happens. Events take place in offices, swimming pools, restaurants, buses, and spots you would never picture on a business agenda. Some events are free, while others require quick registration. Either way, the festival welcomes far more people than you might expect.
Where is Iceland Innovation Week Held?
The festival is anchored in Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital. While many events take place at local innovation hubs, such as Gróska, or at historic venues in the city center, the festival does not stay in one building. Events pop up in venues all over Reykjavík, giving you a good excuse to explore neighborhoods you might not have found otherwise.
When Does Iceland Innovation Week Take Place?
This yearly event runs for four to five days, typically in the spring, with the exact dates shifting each year. It’s always worth checking the official website for the current schedule. Whenever it falls, Reykjavík makes a great base for the week. The city is easy to navigate, and there is almost always something to see and do beyond the festival itself.
Iceland Innovation Week takes over Reykjavík once a year with talks, panels, and events spread across the city. Think innovation centers, old fish markets, and spots that feel nothing like a conference room. Founders, investors, and curious visitors all show up, and somehow it never feels like work if you’ve been looking for a reason to book that trip to Iceland, this might be it.
What Is Iceland Innovation Week?
Iceland Innovation Week is Reykjavík’s annual festival for startups, new ideas, and the people who chase them. Instead of a single stage and a badge with a lanyard, different companies and organizations host their own events. What makes it stand out is where everything happens. Events take place in offices, swimming pools, restaurants, buses, and spots you would never picture on a business agenda. Some events are free, while others require quick registration. Either way, the festival welcomes far more people than you might expect.
Where is Iceland Innovation Week Held?
The festival is anchored in Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital. While many events take place at local innovation hubs, such as Gróska, or at historic venues in the city center, the festival does not stay in one building. Events pop up in venues all over Reykjavík, giving you a good excuse to explore neighborhoods you might not have found otherwise.
When Does Iceland Innovation Week Take Place?
This yearly event runs for four to five days, typically in the spring, with the exact dates shifting each year. It’s always worth checking the official website for the current schedule. Whenever it falls, Reykjavík makes a great base for the week. The city is easy to navigate, and there is almost always something to see and do beyond the festival itself.
Iceland Innovation Week takes over Reykjavík once a year with talks, panels, and events spread across the city. Think innovation centers, old fish markets, and spots that feel nothing like a conference room. Founders, investors, and curious visitors all show up, and somehow it never feels like work if you’ve been looking for a reason to book that trip to Iceland, this might be it.
What Is Iceland Innovation Week?
Iceland Innovation Week is Reykjavík’s annual festival for startups, new ideas, and the people who chase them. Instead of a single stage and a badge with a lanyard, different companies and organizations host their own events. What makes it stand out is where everything happens. Events take place in offices, swimming pools, restaurants, buses, and spots you would never picture on a business agenda. Some events are free, while others require quick registration. Either way, the festival welcomes far more people than you might expect.
Where is Iceland Innovation Week Held?
The festival is anchored in Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital. While many events take place at local innovation hubs, such as Gróska, or at historic venues in the city center, the festival does not stay in one building. Events pop up in venues all over Reykjavík, giving you a good excuse to explore neighborhoods you might not have found otherwise.
When Does Iceland Innovation Week Take Place?
This yearly event runs for four to five days, typically in the spring, with the exact dates shifting each year. It’s always worth checking the official website for the current schedule. Whenever it falls, Reykjavík makes a great base for the week. The city is easy to navigate, and there is almost always something to see and do beyond the festival itself.
Some talks deserve a stage. Others deserve a lava cave. Iceland Innovation Week delivers both. Photo: Caroline Vabrit
Geothermal hot water has made Iceland a global destination for spa and wellness tourism, with facilities like the Forest Lagoon in North Iceland offering year-round relaxation in naturally heated pools surrounded by nature.
The parliamentarians Svava Jakobsdóttir and Sigurlaug Bjarnadóttir deliver a speech to motivate the members of parliament on Women’s Day in 1975. Photographer unknown. Preservation: Women’s History Archive of Iceland.
What to Expect During Iceland Innovation Week
No two days at the week-long event look the same. The lineup shifts every year, but the energy stays consistent. Expect smart people, interesting ideas, and at least one event that makes you think “only in Iceland.”
Here’s a taste of what typically happens during the week:
Panel Discussions: Founders, investors, and leaders gather to talk about real challenges in business, climate, and technology. The sessions are conversational, not lecture-style, so they’re easy to follow.
The Climate Summit (“Ok, bye “): Named after the first Icelandic glacier lost to climate change, Ok, bye is a climate event that mixes expert talks with live music and artistic performances. Each year focuses on a different topic, such as the future of food or the circular economy.
Nordic Startup Awards: Startups from across the Nordic region compete to be named the best in their category. It’s a fun, high-energy night that celebrates what’s being built across the region.
Company Visits & Showcases: Local companies open their doors so you can see what they’re working on. It’s more personal than a booth at a trade show.
Networking & Happy Hours: The festival sets aside time for people to talk and connect simply. It feels more like a social gathering than a scheduled networking event.
Icy Ocean Dip: The festival ends with a swim in the Atlantic Ocean. It’s cold, it’s optional, and almost everyone who tries it calls it the best part of the week.
Past themes have included Future of Food and Climate Tech, among others. Each year brings a fresh angle, so the conversations stay relevant and the crowd stays curious.
What to Expect During Iceland Innovation Week
No two days at the week-long event look the same. The lineup shifts every year, but the energy stays consistent. Expect smart people, interesting ideas, and at least one event that makes you think “only in Iceland.”
Here’s a taste of what typically happens during the week:
Panel Discussions: Founders, investors, and leaders gather to talk about real challenges in business, climate, and technology. The sessions are conversational, not lecture-style, so they’re easy to follow.
The Climate Summit (“Ok, bye “): Named after the first Icelandic glacier lost to climate change, Ok, bye is a climate event that mixes expert talks with live music and artistic performances. Each year focuses on a different topic, such as the future of food or the circular economy.
Nordic Startup Awards: Startups from across the Nordic region compete to be named the best in their category. It’s a fun, high-energy night that celebrates what’s being built across the region.
Company Visits & Showcases: Local companies open their doors so you can see what they’re working on. It’s more personal than a booth at a trade show.
Networking & Happy Hours: The festival sets aside time for people to talk and connect simply. It feels more like a social gathering than a scheduled networking event.
Icy Ocean Dip: The festival ends with a swim in the Atlantic Ocean. It’s cold, it’s optional, and almost everyone who tries it calls it the best part of the week.
Past themes have included Future of Food and Climate Tech, among others. Each year brings a fresh angle, so the conversations stay relevant and the crowd stays curious.
What to Expect During Iceland Innovation Week
No two days at the week-long event look the same. The lineup shifts every year, but the energy stays consistent. Expect smart people, interesting ideas, and at least one event that makes you think “only in Iceland.”
Here’s a taste of what typically happens during the week:
Panel Discussions: Founders, investors, and leaders gather to talk about real challenges in business, climate, and technology. The sessions are conversational, not lecture-style, so they’re easy to follow.
The Climate Summit (“Ok, bye “): Named after the first Icelandic glacier lost to climate change, Ok, bye is a climate event that mixes expert talks with live music and artistic performances. Each year focuses on a different topic, such as the future of food or the circular economy.
Nordic Startup Awards: Startups from across the Nordic region compete to be named the best in their category. It’s a fun, high-energy night that celebrates what’s being built across the region.
Company Visits & Showcases: Local companies open their doors so you can see what they’re working on. It’s more personal than a booth at a trade show.
Networking & Happy Hours: The festival sets aside time for people to talk and connect simply. It feels more like a social gathering than a scheduled networking event.
Icy Ocean Dip: The festival ends with a swim in the Atlantic Ocean. It’s cold, it’s optional, and almost everyone who tries it calls it the best part of the week.
Past themes have included Future of Food and Climate Tech, among others. Each year brings a fresh angle, so the conversations stay relevant and the crowd stays curious.
From a CEO talk at Icelandic artist Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval's former studio to a presidential conversation to networking in a mobile sauna, Iceland Innovation Week proves that good ideas can surface anywhere. Photos: Caroline Vabrit, Steph Zakas, Elísabet Blöndal
From a CEO talk at Icelandic artist Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval's former studio to a presidential conversation to networking in a mobile sauna, Iceland Innovation Week proves that good ideas can surface anywhere. Photos: Caroline Vabrit, Steph Zakas, Elísabet Blöndal
From a CEO talk at Icelandic artist Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval's former studio to a presidential conversation to networking in a mobile sauna, Iceland Innovation Week proves that good ideas can surface anywhere. Photos: Caroline Vabrit, Steph Zakas, Elísabet Blöndal
Who Goes to Iceland Innovation Week?
The festival draws founders, investors, and startup teams from across the Nordic region and beyond. But the crowd is broader than you might think. Culture seekers, curious travelers, and anyone interested in how the world is changing all find something here.
If you’ve never pitched a startup or sat across from an investor, that’s completely fine. IIW has a way of making everyone feel like they belong in the room.
Tips for Making the Most of It
A little planning goes a long way at Iceland Innovation Week. Popular events fill up fast, so it’s worth checking the program and registering as soon as the schedule goes live. The festival also announces updates and last-minute additions through its official channels, so staying connected helps you catch the best stuff.
The Festival is Just the Beginning
This Reykjavík festival gives you a reason to visit Reykjavík, but Iceland gives you a reason to stay longer. Beyond the sessions and side events, you’re still on an island with waterfalls, geothermal pools, and lava fields sitting just outside the city. Not many festivals can say their surroundings are just as good as their programs.
Iceland Innovation Week is a great anchor for a trip, and everything around it makes it feel worth it. If Iceland has been on your list, this might be the push you needed.
“We have the vote,” said writer and parliamentarian Svava Jakobsdóttir, speaking at Reykjavík’s Women’s Day Off rally on October 24, 1975. “And we’re proud of it. But what we seem to forget is that we also fought for the right to run for office.”
Her words came six decades after Icelandic women had won the vote. Yet by 1975, only nine women had ever served in parliament. At the time, just three women, a mere 5% of Alþingi members, held seats, and that was the highest number to date. Only one woman had ever served as a cabinet minister, and for just one year, in 1970.
In comparison, the other Nordic countries had already moved ahead, with women making up 14–26% of their national parliaments and frequently serving in government. Local representation in Iceland was even lower: women made up less than 4% of municipal representatives in 1975.
Who Goes to Iceland Innovation Week?
The festival draws founders, investors, and startup teams from across the Nordic region and beyond. But the crowd is broader than you might think. Culture seekers, curious travelers, and anyone interested in how the world is changing all find something here.
If you’ve never pitched a startup or sat across from an investor, that’s completely fine. IIW has a way of making everyone feel like they belong in the room.
Tips for Making the Most of It
A little planning goes a long way at Iceland Innovation Week. Popular events fill up fast, so it’s worth checking the program and registering as soon as the schedule goes live. The festival also announces updates and last-minute additions through its official channels, so staying connected helps you catch the best stuff.
The Festival is Just the Beginning
This Reykjavík festival gives you a reason to visit Reykjavík, but Iceland gives you a reason to stay longer. Beyond the sessions and side events, you’re still on an island with waterfalls, geothermal pools, and lava fields sitting just outside the city. Not many festivals can say their surroundings are just as good as their programs.
Iceland Innovation Week is a great anchor for a trip, and everything around it makes it feel worth it. If Iceland has been on your list, this might be the push you needed.