KLAK – Icelandic Startups has been selected for the second year in a row on the Financial Times, Sifted and Statista list of Europe's Leading Start-up Hubs. KLAK now climbs thirteen places from last year, despite the fact that around a thousand more innovation hubs were evaluated this time.
Every year, the Financial Times, in partnership with Statista, conducts an in-depth analysis of thousands of innovation hubs across Europe. Only 180 hubs make it onto the list, which is a great recognition of the work of those supporting entrepreneurs and start-ups.
„"It is a huge honor to be on this list again – and especially to move up thirteen places year-on-year at a time when competition is increasing. This is a clear confirmation of the quality of the service that KLAK provides to entrepreneurs and startups in Iceland, and also shows that the Icelandic innovation environment compares favorably with the best abroad," says Ásta Sóllilja Guðmundsdóttir, Managing Director of KLAK – Icelandic Startups.
When selecting Europe's Leading Start-up Hubs, the criteria include reviews from former accelerator participants, expert opinions such as investors, entrepreneurs and academics, as well as the success of the most promising startups that have gone through the hub in question.
Ásta says that the recognition is not least a testament to the strength of the ecosystem as a whole:
„"Behind this success are numerous parties – the entrepreneurs themselves, strong partners, mentors, sponsors and the professional team of KLAK. We see this recognition as a collective victory for the Icelandic innovation environment and an encouragement to continue building a strong support network for startups at all stages."“
For over two decades, KLAK has worked to strengthen the startup ecosystem in Iceland through a variety of projects and accelerators. Projects such as Gulleggið, Startup SuperNova, Startup Tourism, Hringiðu and Dafna have helped numerous entrepreneurs develop their ideas further, strengthen their operations and, in many cases, establish themselves outside of Iceland.
„Receiving recognition from such prestigious international organizations as the Financial Times, Sifted and Statista strengthens our belief that the path we have chosen – where collaboration, mentorship and access to expertise are key – is delivering real impact,“ says Ásta. „We intend to use this momentum to continue supporting entrepreneurs, accelerating the growth of startups and creating even more value for Icelandic society. We at KLAK are extremely grateful for the trust and support we receive from entrepreneurs, partners and backers and look forward to continuing to pave the way for the next generation of startups in Iceland.”
