2000 – 2013
2000
KLAK was founded within Nýherji (later Origo, now Skyggnir) to support innovation in Iceland.
The very first CEO was Bjarki Brynjarsson.
2005
Seed Forum started in 2005. CCP, Orf Biotechnology and Plain Vanilla were among the first companies to pitch their ideas in the program.
Over 100 startups graduated from the Viðskiptasmiðjan entrepreneurship program between 2009 and 2013.
The International Entrepreneurship Week was established in Iceland to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.
Nordic Cleantech Open begins.
2007 – 2013
2007
Innovit is founded by three engineer students at University of Iceland, in collaboration with University of Iceland, The Federation of Icelandic Industries and Kría Innovation Fund.
2008
Árið 2008 er Gulleggið startup idea competition is held for the first time in 2008. Since then, over 3000 ideas have been submitted to take part in the competition.
Eff2 (now Videntifyer) wins Gulleggið in 2008, the picture on the left shows the team accept the award.
Startup Weekend is hosted for the first time in Iceland. 12 such events were held during the period of 2010 - 2015 with over 500 participants.
The 25 highest ranking Cleantech teams of the Nordics present their ideas to investors and mentors.
Kristján Freyr Kristjánsson takes over as CEO at Innovit in 2011.
2013 – 2016
The first business accelerator in Iceland, Startup Reykjavík, is held for the first time in 2012 as a collaboration project between Klak, Innovit and Arion Bank.
Salóme Guðmundsdóttir is hired CEO of Klak Innovit.
Start Nordic established with the aim of building bridges for Nordic start-ups to leading technology and start-up regions in Europe and the USA.
Klak and Innovit merge in 2013, now called Klak Innovit. klak innovit.
The Business Accelerator Startup Energy Reykjavík is launched in 2014, focusing on energy-related business ideas.
2016 – 2021
2016
In 2016, the organization shifted its strategy and placed even greater emphasis on international connections. Following this change, the organization adopted the name Icelandic Startups and operates under that name for six years.
The organization’s ties to the international startup community blossomed, while its work within Iceland was more vibrant than ever.
The Business Accelerator Firestarter – Reykjavík Music Accelerator begins its journey with the goal to boost innovation within the music industry.
Nordic Scalers is founded with the purpose of supporting more mature companies in expanding their growth into international markets.
Student innovation and entrepreneurship committees established within UI and HR in collaboration with the student associations of both schools.
A collaborative project between Icelandic Startups and the Iceland Ocean Cluster, To the sea and the countryside is introduced.
Startup Tourisma business accelerator focused on the tourism industry is launched in collaboration with Iceland Tourism Cluster.
Startup Orkídea runs for the first time. The initiative served as a platform for the development of business ideas and innovations within established companies in the fields of high-tech food production and biotechnology.
Innovation never stops - even in a global pandemic. Gulleggið takes place entirely online in 2020.
Startup SuperNova is introduced in 2020.
The goal is to accelerate the progress of startups with business solutions aimed at international markets and to make them attractive investment opportunities.
The business accelerator Hringiða is ran for the first time.
Kristín Soffía is hired as CEO of Icelandic Startups.
2021 –
Back to KLAK
But now: KLAK - Icelandic Startups
Technology development fund in collaboration with KLAK on Dafna
Dafna is a collaborative project between KLAK and the Technology Development Fund, aimed at grant recipients receiving Sproti og Vöxtur grants from the Technology Development Fund.
KLAK Venture Mentoring Service.
'Startup Grandfather' Magnús Ingi, or MIO as we like to call him, strengthens the KLAK team and takes over as head of KLAK Venture Mentoring Service., mentoraþjónstu KLAK – Icelandic Startups.
Gulleggið gets a make-over
Gulleggið gets a makeover, significantly strengthening ties with the university community. The competition is made accessible to everyone.
New trophy introduced
Over the years, the Gulleggið trophies have come in various shapes and sizes. In collaboration with Héðinn hf, it has been decided to create a new, standardized trophy design.
For this occasion, all past winners of Gulleggið are invited to come and accept the new trophy award.
New CEO
Ásta Sóllilja Guðmundsdóttir is hired new CEO of KLAK - Icelandic Startups in 2023.
KLAK | health
A new focus on health technology introduced at KLAK – Icelandic Startups.
“Innovation is the key to improving and strengthening the healthcare system and tackling the major challenges ahead.” says Minister of Health, Alma Möller.
KLAK doesn’t intend to sit on the sidelines when the time comes and therefore participated in shaping a new training program together with Landspítali and other strong partners, as well as introducing a healthtech hackathon and a new business accelerator called KLAK | health
KLAK is listed by the Financial Times among Europe’s leading innovation supporters!
In its 25th anniversary year, KLAK – Icelandic Startups was selected as one of Europe’s leading innovation supporters.
KLAK has long been recognized on a global scale, but it is only now officially confirmed as Financial Times and Statista have included KLAK on the list of “Europe’s Leading Start-up Hubs 2025.”
Recognition to all of us
The title is the result of the dedicated work carried out over the past 25 years.
We celebrate this milestone and look forward to the next 25 years!
#IAMKLAK
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