The country of Iceland is sparsely
populated, with over 50% of the population located in the capital city
of Reykjavik. Not surprisingly, most businesses reside in around Reykavik
as well, which is located in the southwest region of the country (see the
highlighted area of the map). The majority of IT and telecom companies
reside in Reykjavik including TAL, Simmin, and Islandsimmi. In addition,
Reykjavik has the most developed networks of fiber optics and satellites
of any other area in Iceland.
| Gardabaer, a city just south of
Reykjavik is emerging as a potential Silicon Valley for Iceland. Discussions
began in late October of 2000 to build a special industrial park for hi-tech
companies in Gardabaer. The aim of the planned industrial park is to bring
together all the software firms that are scattered around Gardabaer in
to one area. If talks about renting a 420m2 plot of land are successful,
the next move will be to approach town authorities about further development. |
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There are incubators and centers
of innovation around Reykjavik as well. IceTec is an Icelandic technological
R&D and educational institution under the auspices of the Icelandic
Ministries of Industries and Commerce. The primary aims of IceTec are to
strengthen the Icelandic economy through development, innovation and increased
productivity. The company’s core clientele are small and medium sized enterprises.
Acting in close cooperation with industry, the institute focuses on R&D,
technology transfer, education and consulting to increase innovation, productivity
and competitiveness.34
IceTech has developed a service center
for entrepreneurs and small and medium sized businesses called Impra, which
is located in Reykjavik. Impra operates an Incubator Center at IceTec where
it is possible to nurture a total of nine companies that are working on
innovative business ideas. Assistance is provided in forming and operating
such companies for several years. The role of the Innovation Relay Center
at Impra is to encourage cooperation between Icelandic and European companies
regarding technology transfer. In this manner, the Center assists companies
in using new technologies and knowledge to increase competitiveness and
promote innovation. The Innovation Relay Center is part of a cooperative
network of 60 European centers that operate under the auspices of the European
Commission. The centers operate databases where European companies can
search for partners and offer technical solutions.34
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