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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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