Innovation plays a huge part in the work of the University of Iceland and a large number of companies have been founded in recent years based on entrepreneurship, research and ideas conceived on our campus.
Below you can find information on a few of the start-ups that have developed out of innovative projects at the University, from 2000 to the present day.
The company was founded in 2002 in connection with research by Guðmundur Hrafn Guðmundsson, professor of biology at the Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, and Eiríkur Steingrímsson, professor of biochemistry at the Faculty of Medicine, in collaboration with Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm.
The company develops drugs that stimulate the body's natural immune defenses in order to defeat infections. The University of Iceland owns shares in the company.
Artica Biosciences was founded in 2017 by Sigurður Brynjólfsson, professor at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, and Óttar Rolfsson, professor at the Faculty of Medicine.
It is a research and development company working in the fields of physical sciences and engineering. Artica Biosciences focuses on developing processes and by-products within the geothermal sector. The company aims to capture carbon dioxide and hydrogen from geothermal power plant emissions and convert them into valuable products, simultaneously reducing the harmful environmental impact of emissions. The University of Iceland owns shares in the company.
Atmonia was founded in 2016 by Egill Skúlason, professor at the Faculty of Physical Sciences, and his colleagues. The company develops processes that utilise electricity or sunlight to convert nitrogen from the atmosphere and water into ammonia, which can then be used in the production of fertiliser. The University of Iceland owns shares in the company.
Calor was founded in 2016 by Sveinbjörn Gizurarson, professor at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Stefán Jón Sigurðsson, MS in pharmacy. The company develops processes for improving the stability of proteins and peptides at high temperatures, using specially selected polymers and sugars. The University of Iceland owns shares in the company.
Capretto was founded in 2015 in connection with research by Sveinbjörn Gizurarson and Þórdís Kristmundsdóttir, professors at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Halldór Þormars, professor emeritus at the Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences. The company aims to develop antimicrobial materials made from natural lipids, which can be used, for example, to treat chronic sinusitis. The University of Iceland owns shares in the company.
Fiix Diagnostics was founded in 2013 in connection with research by Páll Torfi Önundarson, professor at the Faculty of Medicine and senior consultant at Landspítali University Hospital, and Brynja R. Guðmundsdóttir, clinical lecturer at Landspítali University Hospital. The company aims to market a patented test, developed in order to better manage use of drugs containing the anticoagulant warfarin. The University of Iceland and Landspítali University Hospital own shares in the company.
Grein Research was founded in 2014 in connection with research by Unnar Bjarni Arnalds, research scholar at the Science Institute, and his colleagues. It is a research and development company in the field of nanotechnology. Grein Research provides consulting and other services in materials science, develops and produces nanocoatings, and designs new materials. The University of Iceland owns shares in the company.
Heilsugreind was founded in 2017 by Rögnvaldur Sæmundsson and Tómas P. Rúnarsson, professors at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science. The company aims to develop and sell software and services based on the use of business intelligence in the healthcare system and related fields. The University of Iceland owns shares in the company.
Hugarheill was founded in 2011 in connection with research by Eiríkur Örn Arnarson, professor of psychology at the Faculty of Medicine. The company works to prevent depression in young people.
iMonIT was founded in 2011 by Guðrún Ólafsdóttir, project manager and research specialist at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science. iMonIT develops software that improves transparency and traceability in logistics for sensitive products, such as food products. The University of Iceland owns shares in the company.
The company was founded in 2009 in connection with research by Einar Stefánsson, professor at the Faculty of Medicine, and Þorsteinn Loftsson, professor at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The company develops laxatives and therapeutic ointments made from Icelandic cod liver oil. The University of Iceland and Landspítali University Hospital own shares in the company.
Lífeind was founded in 2001 in connection with research by Jón Jóhannes Jónsson, professor of biochemistry at the Faculty of Medicine. The company has designed equipment and developed processes to analyse the quality of complex nucleic acid samples using two-dimensional electrophoresis, in order to diagnose DNA damage. The University of Iceland and Landspítali University Hospital own shares in the company.
Marsýn was founded in 2012 in connection with research by Guðrún Marteinsdóttir, professor of fish biology and fish ecology at the Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, and Kai Logemann, project manager at the Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences. The company aims to develop and market an information system for the fishing industry that predicts ocean conditions, such as wave height, temperature, salinity, currents and stratification from the surface to the sea bed. The company also develops software that predicts the distribution of fish stocks. The University of Iceland owns shares in the company.
NúnaTrix was founded in 2019 by Brynja Ingadóttir and Katrín Jónsdóttir. The company plans to develop a computer game designed to reduce fear in children who will be having surgery. The University of Iceland and Landspítali University Hospital own shares in the company.
Oculis was founded in 2003 in connection with research by Einar Stefánsson, professor at the Faculty of Medicine, and Þorsteinn Loftsson, professor at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The company is working towards developing eye drops containing nanoparticles that increase the absorption of the drug through the eyeball. The technology means that certain diseases can be treated with eye drops instead of intravitreal injections. The University of Iceland and Landspítali University Hospital own shares in the company.
Oxymap was founded in 2002 in connection with research by Einar Stefánsson, professor at the Faculty of Medicine, and Jón Atli Benediktsson, professor of electrical and computer engineering. The company has developed equipment that can evaluate oxygen saturation in the retinal blood vessels using digital image processing. The technology can be used to help treat diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusions and glaucoma, as well as for monitoring the effects of drug and laser treatments. The University of Iceland and Landspítali University Hospital own shares in the company.
Risk was founded in 2009 in connection with research by Einar Stefánsson, professor at the Faculty of Medicine, and Jóhann P. Malmquist, professor of computer science at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science. The company develops software in the form of risk calculators that automatically evaluate the risk of a diabetic patient developing diabetic retinopathy and vision loss. The software indicates optical screening frequency for people with diabetes, but can also be used to reduce screening frequency in line with individual needs. The University of Iceland and Landspítali University Hospital own shares in the company.
Taramar was founded in 2010 by Guðrún Marteinsdóttir, professor of fish biology and fish ecology at the Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences. The company specialises in developing and producing organic skin products that reduce visible signs of aging. The products, based in part on research and development at the University of Iceland, contain bioactive materials from marine products and medicinal herbs. The University of Iceland owns shares in the company.