Startup Social on sustainable development

Ritstjórn
Svafa Grönfeldt heldur fyrirlestur á Snjallræði en hún er í forsvari stýrihóps um Snjallræði.
Svafa Grönfeldt heldur fyrirlestur á Snjallræði en hún er í forsvari stýrihóps um Snjallræði.

Startup Social is a 16-week incubator that supports teams passionate about solving today's most pressing challenges and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The program runs in four rotational periods, with the first beginning Aug. 25 and the last concluding in early December of this year. Registration closes Aug. 7th

The developed solutions may address broad issues, including health services, welfare technology, education, and equality.

Social innovation means applying creative thinking to address societal challenges and building systems or solutions that benefit the public and the environment for the broader community's good.

Höfði Peace Center founded Startup Social in 2018, and this marks the third time the workshops have taken place. A wide range of partners contribute to the workshops, including KLAK — an organization owned by the University of Iceland, Reykjavík University, Origo, the Business Venture Fund, and the Federation of Icelandic Industries — in collaboration with MIT designX (a program at MIT School of Architecture and Planning focused on design, innovation, and entrepreneurship), the Ministry of Industries and Innovation, Reykjavík City, the University of Iceland, Reykjavík University, and the Iceland Academy of the Arts, along with numerous other organizations. Featured MIT experts travel to Iceland to share their knowledge with participants.

Startup Social participants:

  • Take part in a 16-week program in four rotational periods in collaboration with MIT designX
  • Gain access to a network and consultation from a strong group of mentors and experts in social issues, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and innovation
  • Receive workspace at Gróska, an innovation center in Vatnsmýri
  • Training from international and domestic experts in social innovation, including specialists from MIT, the University of Iceland, Reykjavík University, the Iceland Academy of the Arts, and Reykjavík City.

More information is available from Startup Social and KLAK.