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Professor Thorsteinn I. Sigfusson, Director General
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Innovation Center Iceland
Innovation Center Icelandstarted in 2007 and operates under the
Ministry of Industry and receives revenue from both the public and
private sectors.Turnover: 10 MUSD
Employees: 90
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Mission
The mission of the Center:• To strengthen the competitive position of
Icelandic business and increase the quality of life.
• To diffuse knowledge and give support to entrepreneurs, growth companies and innovative enterprises.
• To excel in technology research, product development, analysis and testing.
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Core Values
The logo symbolises the core values of the Innovation Center Iceland, which are the following:– Growth– Implementing seed activities– Partnership and cooperation– Creativity and invention– Technology and knowledge.
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Technology Research and Consulting
• A leading R&D and business support institute in Iceland
• Focus on R&D, technology transfer, education, support for entrepreneurs and SMEs and consulting in order to increase innovation, productivity and competitiveness
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Vestmannaeyjar 2008
Hornafjörður 2008
Reykjavík
Akureyri 2002
Ísafjörður 2007
Currently 3 Fab Labs
Húsavík 2009 Sauðárkrókur
2009
Egilsstaðir 2009
Director: Þorsteinn I. Sigfusson, Professor and holder of the Global Energy International Prize 2007
Innovation Center Iceland8 locations
Entrepreneurs and SME services
• Center of information and guidance for entrepreneurs and SMEs
• More than 8000 free support interviews 2010– Telephone calls and email excluded– Support programs and grants
• Workshops and courses for the general public and SMEs
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Entrepreneurs and SME services
• Policy advice on support for innovation and improved operating conditions for SMEs
• Extensive internet information services• Publications on management, marketing, and
more• The host for Enterprise Europe Network
– Boost growth and jobs through small businesses– Bring together companies– Powerful databases and knowledge sharing
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ICI Incubator Centers
• Support and facilities for start-up companies working on innovative business ideas
• Ten years experience at the original center in the Reykjavik headquarters
• Increased focus on incubator centers • In just one year, 6 new centers were opened• Innovation Center Iceland now operates 9
incubators in co-operation with others
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ICI Incubator Centers
• Inexpensive housing (ca. 100 USD per desk per month)
• Access to printers and internet• Practical and professional advice• Networking• Important support and encouragement
– Psychological– Motivational– From employees and other entrepreneurs
Support for Success
• Around 250 new “jobs” in the new centers since October 2008– Boost for new companies– Available access to specialized workforce
• Around 100 businesses are now operating in the 9 centers with approximately 300 employees
Iceland Fab Lab
• A global network of Fab Labs• A small workshop with computer controlled
tools with the aim to make „almost everything“• Open all working days for general public,
sudents, entrepreneurs and small companies• Operates in three different places:
– Vestmannaeyjar– Akranes– Sauðárkrókur
FabLab Iceland is an important contribution to innovation
• The Vestmannaeyjar facility led by Frosti Gislason is the hub.
• 7% of the Vestmannaeyjar population is visiting FabLab every month !
• To have access to The Fab Academy in a remote area like Vestmannaeyjar – with very limited higher education provided locally – is crucial for future development!
New emerging companies likeRemake Electric are using FabLab technological approach
Multimedia companies like Sigva and SmartMedia use FabLab to make the Folk Museum more interactive!
A new creative artist in IcelandVERA is using FabLab approach to automate her unique production of garments from silicone!
VERA ThordardottirPrize winner at:Instituto Marangoni, London
The new silcone fashion is taking the world by surprise
Lady GaGa fell for VERA´s fashion!
Conclusion:
• FabLab is helping to advance technological awareness...
• Seeds have been sawn, knowledge of digital fabrication technologies is gradually increasing,,
• We know it will lead to increased competitiveness of our nation!
• We are witnessing a new kind of eruption –
named FABLAB!
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