Innovation – From idea to home port

A new business accelerator for the travel industry in Hafnarfjörður

Hugviti – from idea to home port, is a new business accelerator run by the City of Hafnarfjörður, managed by the Innovation Centre at Lækinn and the city's Culture and Tourism Committee. The accelerator is aimed at businesses and individuals in the tourism industry, with the aim of boosting tourism in Hafnarfjörður, whether through increased entertainment, improved services or other merchandise.

A creative hub for entrepreneurs

The Innovation Centre will be a creative hub for entrepreneurs, businesses, students and staff of the schools in the municipality, with the aim of promoting, strengthening and supporting innovation, technological literacy, creative thinking and the advancement of ideas in all fields. It will be located on the first floor of the Learning Centre by the stream (the former Lækjarskóli), where young people from the Hafnarfjörður youth work programme helped to get the Innovation Centre into good shape. They undertook a major renovation of the large hall, dismantled the kitchen fittings, created artwork to decorate the walls, and much more.

The emphasis is on exemplary facilities for all groups in the community, with a strong focus on the active participation of the town's residents and businesses. The centre will offer creative space and access to technology. In addition, it will have outstanding staff with a passion for and knowledge of innovation to help people develop their skills and bring their ideas to life.

See previous news Work has begun on the Innovation Centre of Hafnarfjörður | Hafnarfjörður (hafnarfjordur.is)

The accelerator begins at the end of September and runs for eight weeks, until it concludes with a final party in mid-November.

The accelerator is open to all interested parties, whether established companies, start-ups, individuals or anyone else. As long as the project's objective is to attract tourists and/or get them to Choose to pause and enjoy in Hafnarfjörður.

The projects that apply need to

– To support and promote tourism in Hafnarfjörður

– Each team must consist of up to three individuals

– Have the ambition, interest and time to make use of everything the accelerator has to offer

Support for the imaginative people of Hafnarfjörður

No experience in innovation or business is required, only ambition and a burning passion for the tourism industry. The purpose of the hub is to support individuals, groups, staff, and all residents of Hafnarfjörður with ideas that can become something bigger, and then to guide them further along the path when the idea is ready for implementation. The accelerator is free of charge for participants, but a strong requirement is that the teams selected for the accelerator take an active part in the entire process.

Hugvit is produced in collaboration with the company RATA which has been a strong supporter of entrepreneurs in Iceland in recent years. We would also like to point out that the projects not selected for the accelerator will nevertheless be able to receive support and assistance from the Innovation Centre this winter.

Applications opened today, Monday, 14 August, but The application deadline is 14 September.. The application can be accessed here Application to Hugvita | Hafnarfjörður (hafnarfjordur.is)

We encourage all interested parties to apply and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact The Innovation Centre on social media:

The Innovation Centre by the Stream (@nyskopunarsetrid) • Instagram photos and videos

The Innovation Centre by the Stream | Hafnarfjörður | Facebook or on margretk@hafnarfjordur.is