What is Startup Social?
Startup Social is a 16-week incubator that supports strong teams that are passionate about solutions to contemporary challenges and supporting the UN's sustainable development goals. There can be solutions relating to health care, welfare technology, improved education systems and gender equality, for example.
Startup Social was founded by Höfði Peace Centre in 2018 and has been run three times since its inception. The growth space is managed KLAK, in collaboration with MITdesignX, is the focal point of the workshops where MIT experts come to Iceland and share their knowledge. Participants receive access to education and training from domestic and foreign experts in the field of social affairs and innovation, and meetings with experienced mentors.
The goal of the growth space is to promote innovation that addresses contemporary challenges and is thus an important platform for community start-ups. The focus is on promoting sustainability in innovation and building start-ups that directly support one or more of the UN's global goals from the first steps.
What is social innovation?
Social innovation involves utilizing the methodology of innovation and design thinking to tackle societal challenges and build systems and solutions that include benefits for people and the environment and therefore for society as a whole.
Does your idea belong in Startup Social?
- Startup Social supports teams that underpin sustainability in their core business and want to lead important social change.
- Innovation is welcomed at all levels, from fresh ideas to advanced innovation projects and businesses.
- Startup Social is open to diverse teams, NGOs and companies that want the opportunity to develop their own ideas and find a sustainable pathway for them.
What can Startup Social invite you?
- 16-week program in collaboration with MIT designX
- Access to networking and advice from a strong team of mentors and experts in the field of social affairs, the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and Innovation
- Facilities in Grósku, a welder of innovation in Vatnsmýri
- Training from foreign and domestic experts in social innovation, e.g. from
- MIT, University of Iceland, Reykjavik University, Iceland Academy of the Arts and City of Reykjavík
What do you get out of participating in Startup Social?
The teams involved in Startup Social get to participate in four two-day workshops in Iceland hosted by Svöf Grönfeldt and her colleague from MIT designX. The workshops take place every four weeks, but in between, the teams are guided by the most skilled experts in Iceland to further develop the solutions. The workshops are thematic and address different aspects of the development process, from needs and stakeholders analysis, design of a sustainable business model, pine making losses and budgets to networking and conduct.
Wands
10 teams participated in Startup Social year 2022
BioBuilding
Cultivation of future buildings: Icelandic hemp casting and its uses.
Fort
Fort counteracts the acceleration of loss of muscle mass and muscle strength (acute-sarcopenia) in patients bedridden in hospital for an extended period of time with a special leg press to maintain muscle strength.
Turquoise heat
Circular heat grows vegetables in an eco-friendly way, in close proximity to consumers, with a unique circular economy solution.
Conceptualists
The project Concept Builders educates kids about innovation and draws on role models for entrepreneurs of all genders, ages, fields and regions of Iceland. The aim of the project is to promote kids' entrepreneurial skills and encourage them to create solutions for the future.
The Leaf
Laufið is a new digital platform with practical tools and an incentive system that leads businesses and consumers on a journey to a greener and more sustainable society.
Warmth
High-tech greenhouse focusing on the circular economy.
On To Something
On to Something (OTS) is an international e-commerce platform where residual materials make purchases and sales.
Orb
Orb develops technologies to measure the carbon sequestration of forests in a cheap and accessible way to promote responsible carbon offsetting and the production of certified carbon units.
Sara, girl with ADHD
Sarah's goal, the girl's ADHD, is to attract the attention of children and those closest to them to different manifestations of ADHD in girls and boys. We want to put our weight on the scales so that the "lost girls" get the attention, help and understanding they need.
Arrangement
The Smart Speech program in 2022 took place every other week. The MIT designX workshops are four, or once a month. In between the workshops, Reykjavik University, the University of Iceland and the Iceland Academy of the Arts will have workshops. In addition, participants meet the mentors four times over the course of the period and participate in various events.
August 25-26: Understand
What problems are being solved and who will benefit from the solution?
Emphasis on:
- Needs analysis
- Market segmentation
- Stakeholder map
- Deconstruction
22nd – 23rd of September: Solve
What is the solution and what are the benefits of it for stakeholders?
Emphasis on:
- Mission design
- Value proposition
- User journey
- Rapid prototyping procession
October 21-22: Envision
What do we want to achieve, and what values are the basis for decision-making?
Emphasis on:
- Designing vision design
- Founder's values and negotiations
- Sustainable business model
- People and partners
November 16th – November 17th: Execution
What is the best way to implement, scale it and finance it?
Emphasis on:
- Action plan
- Budget
- Financing
- History and pitch
Mentors
Orn Viðar Skúlason
Investment Manager of Innovation Fund
Erik Figueras Torras
Phone Manager
Dagný Jónsdóttir
Head of Resource Park HS Orka
Anna Signý Guðbjörnsdóttir
UX Researcher & Service Designer @ Kolibri
Karl Gudmundsson
Ceo florealis ehf.
Lóa Bára Magnúsdóttir
Marketing Manager Origo
Ásta Sóllilja Guðmundsdóttir
Business Development and CFO of Auður Tæknitorgs ehf
Bárður Örn Gunnarsson
Managing Director of Svartitindur ehf.
Sigurjón Þórðarson
Human Resource Business Partner - CCP
Gest R. Bárðarson
Managing Director/owner of Punkt ehf
Hanna Kristín Skaftadóttir
Director of Business Intelligence Bifröst University
Anna Margrét Guðjónsdóttir
Founder & CEO of Evris ehf.
Halla Helgadóttir
Managing Director - Centres for Design and Architecture
Gunnlaugur Árnason
CMCO - Sidekick
Honorary Kristín Helgadóttir
Executive Director Niceland SEafood
August Freyr Ingason
Vertu ehf
Jón Páll Leifsson
MARKET EXPERT KERECIS
Gest Pétursson
Adviser
Ólöf Vigdís Ragnarsdóttir
Head of Innovation University of Iceland
Margrét Júlíana Sigurðardóttir
founder of mussila
Hólmfríður Sveinsdóttir
Rector of the University of Hólar
Gunnar Tryggvason
Port Director fax bay ports
Sæmundur Sæmundsson
executive director Efla hf.
Viktoría Valdimarsdóttir
Chairman of the Board responsible solutions
Christian Schram
Marketing Consultant instrúment
Kjartan Thorsson
Founder and Ceo. nordverse medical solutions
Sævar Garðarsson
System Lead Engineer Medical Exoskeletons Össur hf.
Ósk Sigurðardóttir
executive director SELF-RESCUE
Thoranna K. Jonsdottir
digital marketing consultant
Gísli Ólafsson
Parliament
Gudmundur Páll Líndal
Founder and Ceo. lava cheese
Sophia Kristín Þórðardóttir
Product porfolio manager, Origo
Dagný Halldórsdóttir
engineer
Daddi Guðbergsson
Adviser E4
Control group
Sofa Grönfeldt
MIT
Auður Örlygsdóttir
Höfði Peace Centre
Pia Hansson
HÖFÐI PEACE CENTRE
Hulda Hallgrímsdóttir
The City of Reykjavík
Magnus Thor Torfason
University of Iceland
Thomas Pausz
Iceland Academy of the Arts
Hallur Thor Sigurdsson
Reykjavik University
Sveinn Kjarval
Marel
Gunnar Sveinn Magnússon
DELOITTE
Dóra Björk Þrándardóttir
LANDSVIRKJUN
Lóa Bára Magnúsdóttir
ORIGO
Óli Örn Eiríksson
The City of Reykjavík
