For Startups
The startups are the heart of this festival. You are our first, our last, our everything. At Iceland Innovation Week you will get the opportunity to pitch, meet investors, learn about industry trends, meet like-minded people, attend parties, and enjoy Icelandic nature.
See how we curate the festival to cater to founders & startups ↓
Founders in Focus
Workshops
April 28th
↪ On the NetApp Stage in Mýrin, Gróska
We’re kicking off the week where ideas are born inside the creative hub of the Science Park and Mýrin Innovation Center located in Gróska Innovation Center. Founders in Focus is a day of hands-on workshops, raw stories, and honest talks with thought leaders from Iceland and abroad. Expect laughter, aha-moments, caffeine, and community. This is startup therapy, Iceland-style.
All startup festival pass holders can sign up for this.
08:30-09:00 — Coffee & mingle
09:00-13:30 — Workshops
12:00-12:30 — LUNCH
12:30-13:30 — Workshops
13:30-14:30 — Fermented Shark Tank Semi-finals
Workshops
HANDS ON VIBE CODING
MARÍN JÓNSDÓTTIR,
DIRECTOR OF GLÓÐ, ALMANNARÓMUR
Vibe-coding is here to stay and in this session we cover how it works, what tools are out there, what are the risks, and how you can build a full-stack app without writing any code. You'll learn how strategy and preparation can separate a polished product from a generic one, and get hands-on experience with vibe-coding yourself.
FORESIGHT & STRATEGY SESSION
KERSTIN GRONAU
AUSTRIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/BOLD COMMUNITY
Using foresight to build future-proof startups, this masterclass introduces foresight as a tool for strategic innovation, combining theory with practical exercises using the Innovation Map and AI-assisted scenario building. Goal: strengthen your ability to think ahead, embrace uncertainty, identify opportunities and navigate transformation with confidence and curiosity.
HACKING B2B SALES
ÓMAR ÞÓR ÓMARSSON
CEO & CO-FOUNDER, OPTISE
A practical, no-BS session for founders who want their sales to actually work. We’ll get into what’s driving pipeline in B2B right now (and what’s quietly dying), how to turn your website into something that sells for you, and what changes when AI starts discovering and buying products on your behalf. Expect sharp takeaways you can bring straight back to the office.
LIVE BRAND AUDIT
HELGA ÓSK + SERIOUS BUSINESS TEAM
Selected startups will take part in a 20-minute live brand audit led by the team at SERIOUS.BUSINESS. The audit is a focused review of a brand — looking at what’s working, what’s unclear, and where it can be strengthened, across areas like positioning, messaging, visual identity, and overall clarity. It’s designed for teams open to honest, direct feedback — with practical, actionable takeaways and a clearer direction for improving the brand.
FERMENTED SHARK TANK SEMI FINALS
A returning classic at Iceland Innovation Week — where founders take the stage and pitch under pressure after taking a bite of fermented shark and a shot of Brennivín. Ten selected companies will step up to pitch, with only a few making it through to the finals. The top 5 teams will advance to the finals on April 29th, where a cash prize from KPMG is on the line!
Exclusive Founder & Investor Mixer powered by Smitten
↪ April 28th
Hosted by the Icelandic dating app that’s conquering the world, this is not your average networking event. The Smitten Startup Investor Mixer brings together the coolest founders and the hottest VCs for an evening where chemistry meets capital. No small talk just real connections and maybe, just maybe, a perfect match.
THE IIW PITCH COMPETITION:
Fermented Shark Tank🦈
The Fermented Shark Tank is a pitch opportunity open for all startups, coming from Iceland and abroad.
The twist: Optional to take a bite of “hákarl” 🦈 and a shot of Brennivín 🥃 (the Icelandic liquor) and then pitch your startup.. Note that this is not mandatory but those who dare, might get extra seconds on the clock and a secret prize!
With 3 minutes on the clock and one unforgettable aftertaste, only the boldest 5 will make it to the finals on the Future stage on April 29th.
Applications are open from November 1st 2025 until March 2nd 2026.
Please note that you have to have a ticket to Iceland Innovation Week to participate!
Maximize Your Festival Experience: Become a Startup Partner!
↪ Your event branded as an official IIW side event
↪ Logo placement on the IIW partner page
↪ 1 complimentary startup pass
↪ Partner discount on extra startup passes for your team
↪ Startup booth at the main venue*
↪ 1 exhibitor pass for manning the booth
↪ Eligable for an invite to an Exclusive Investor / Startup Mixer
↪ A slot in an official IIW- designated side venue space*
*upon request on a first come first serve basis