Workshops and mentoring services
Dafna is a four-month incubator run by KLAK in collaboration with the Icelandic Technology Development Fund. The incubator is intended for entrepreneurs who have received a Sprota or Growth Grant from the fund.
The program consists of interactive workshops and specialized mentoring services from KLAK VMS. Participants receive education on how to build startups and connect with experienced mentors, experts, and investors, including angel investors and venture capital funds.
Dafni's goal is to support participants and increase the chances of success for their startups.
Applications for grants are made on the Technology Development Fund website here. https://island.is/v/taeknithrounarsjodur
Agenda
Teams that receive a Startup or Growth Grant from the Technology Development Fund will be invited to participate in Dafni.
When is Dafna?
Spring distribution | Autumn allocation |
August – December | February – June |
How does Dafna work?
- Workshops
Two-day interactive workshops at the end of each month with education and tools for building startups. - Realistic projects
Between workshops, the teams work on practical projects that help them make progress. - Mentoring meetings
Beneficiaries meet with their mentor team four times during the period, in 90-minute meetings. Further information about the KLAK VMS mentoring system can be found here ( https://klak.is/vms/ )
Closing date
All Dafni groups conclude the program with presentations of their projects in front of the Technology Development Fund board, investors, stakeholders from the innovation environment, and guests.
About Dafna
Dafna began in 2021 as a pilot project between KLAK and the Icelandic Technology Development Fund, and was a week-long program for about 20 teams that had received a Sprotastyrk from the fund. The teams attended workshops on topics such as business plans, marketing, and product development. Each team was assigned a mentor and met with them twice for 40 minutes.
It quickly became clear that the need was greater and the opportunities were countless. In 2022, Dafna was opened to Growth Grant recipients as well and the scope doubled. A week-long course became a four-month growth space. One mentor became an entire mentor team, organized in collaboration with the MIT Venture Mentoring Service.
Today, Dafna reaches up to 80 companies per year. The goal is still the same as in the beginning: to give promising startups a good start-up and increase their chances of success.
Contacts
