Kerecis founder opens Arctic innovation centre

Kerecis founder Guðmundur Fertram Sigurjónsson and his wife, Fanney Kr. Hermannsdóttir, have opened an innovation and knowledge centre in Reykjavík. The centre, Arctell Sandvík, is based at Neshagi 16, mbl.is reported.

Arctell Sandvík is intended to support innovation and entrepreneurship, with facilities for start-ups and people working in research and international cooperation. It will also host events on investment, innovation, Arctic development and other issues.

“There are many opportunities in the Arctic that we are not making enough use of,” Sigurjónsson said. Turning a good idea into a project and then a strong company requires expertise, entrepreneurial drive, funding and access to the right networks, he said. He added that Arctell could help bring the right people together and offer experience, funding and international connections.

“The Arctic has everything it needs to build large international companies, but that will not happen by itself,” Sigurjónsson said. “We want to get involved earlier, help good ideas get started faster and give them a better chance to grow far beyond the region.”