News

Group photo of about 20 team members standing together indoors, with a yellow banner at the top reading '9 teymi valin' (9 teams selected).

Nine teams join Snjallræði 2026

After a thorough review of numerous applications, it is now clear which nine teams will take part in the Snjallræði university accelerator this winter.

Yellow promotional graphic for "Gleipnir Lífsmiðja" with the headline "A breakthrough in the fight against incurable diseases." On the right, a woman with her hair in a bun, wearing red lipstick and a black top with dark patterned skirt, stands beside a man with grey hair, glasses, and a moustache, wearing a light blue blazer over a blue shirt, both facing the camera in front of a stone wall.

Gleipnir Lífsmiðja: A breakthrough in the fight against incurable diseases

Gleipnir Lífsmiðja from Snjallræði: Groundbreaking technology could speed up development of drugs for previously incurable diseases

Yellow background with the text "How does the accelerator work?" in black lettering inside a circular frame. Below is a photo of a man wearing glasses and a dark navy sweater sitting in a meeting room with other people visible in the background.

How does Snjallræði work?

Snjallræði is a compact university accelerator that runs from September through December. Participants work systematically on developing their idea using the MIT DesignX methodology, guided by experts and mentors from the university community and industry.

Yellow promotional graphic for VarmaMAX titled "From Snjallræði to leading geothermal research." A photo at the bottom shows two smiling dark-haired women standing in front of a concrete wall.

The VarmaMAX team — from Snjallræði to leading geothermal research

"You literally breathe in geothermal energy in Iceland. It's woven into the fabric of society."

Promotional graphic with a yellow background and bold text reading "Opnir kynningarfundir" (Open Information Sessions). Below is a photo of an audience, with a blonde woman in the foreground looking up and to the side attentively.

Open Info Sessions in August

Are you part of a team with an idea, research project, or venture that could become a solution with social value? In August, two open info sessions will be held for interested teams who want to learn more about the Snjallræði university accelerator before the application deadline closes.

Image collage for Snjallræði. Top left shows two people at a table with a laptop and a sign reading "BIOBUILDING", deep in conversation. To the right, the headline "The universities join forces for Snjallræði" appears on a white background with a yellow cross-pattern. Below is a photo of an audience applauding, evidently at a conference or event. At the bottom, a yellow banner reads: "A collaboration between the University of Iceland, Reykjavík University, and the University of Akureyri, run in partnership with MIT DesignX."

Universities join forces for Snjallræði

The application deadline for the Snjallræði university accelerator closes on August 27 at 23:59. Teams looking to develop ideas, research, or projects further toward solutions with social value are encouraged to apply before the deadline passes.

Promotional graphic with the text "Open for applications — even during the summer holidays!" alongside a photo of people working at a workshop.

Don't forget Snjallræði this summer

It's easy to slip into summer mode when the sun comes out, travel plans take over and email gets a bit of a rest. But for any team with a good idea in their back pocket, one thing is worth keeping in mind: applications are now open for the Snjallræði university accelerator.

Applications Now Open

Applications Now Open

Today, 11 June 2026, applications opened for the Snjallræði university accelerator. We are looking for strong teams who want to develop ideas, research or projects further toward clear solutions that can have a positive impact on society and the future.

Nine teams presented at the final event

Nine teams presented at the final event

Inspiring discussions around impact innovation at the final event

Final event of Snjallræði 2025

Final event of Snjallræði 2025

11th December, 9:00 at Nauthóll

The last Snjallræði workshop at Gróska

The last Snjallræði workshop at Gróska

project implementation, storytelling and presentation techniques

The third Snjallræði workshops was at Reykjavik University

The third Snjallræði workshops was at Reykjavik University

Ásgeir Jónsson, lecturer at the Department of Business and Economics at Reykjavík University guided the teams.

From confusion to clarity in Húsavík

From confusion to clarity in Húsavík

The second Snjallræði workshop took place alongside the Húsavík DesignThing

Snjallræði at Design Thing 2025

Snjallræði at Design Thing 2025

Design Thing in Húsavík is an annual festival of design and innovation

What are „impact startups” – and why do they matter?

What are „impact startups” – and why do they matter?

Á síðustu árum hefur orðið til nýr flokkur sprotafyrirtækja sem sækja fram með miklum krafti: „impact startups”.

Iceland’s University Accelerator Kicks Off

Iceland’s University Accelerator Kicks Off

Snjallræði will be Iceland’s first joint university accelerator.

The knowledge community continues to unite around Snjallræði

The knowledge community continues to unite around Snjallræði

Application deadline tonight at Midnight!

Uppskeruhátíð Snjallræðis 2024

Uppskeruhátíð Snjallræðis 2024

Uppskeruhátíð Snjallræðis fór fram 13. desember!

Eleven teams chosen to participate in Snjallræði

Eleven teams chosen to participate in Snjallræði

Eleven teams have been selected to participate in the social incubator Snjallræði!

Snjallræði - Now open for applications!

Snjallræði - Now open for applications!

Snjallræði is a 16-week-long social innovation incubator. Snjallræði is designed to support passionate teams with social innovation solutions for contemporary challenges and is held in collaboration with experts from MITdesignX.

Introducing Snjallræði - From Idea to Impact

Introducing Snjallræði - From Idea to Impact

Join us for an inspiring evening focused on social innovation