2nd speaker announcement
Our second release for Iceland Innovation Week speakers is here!
Freyr Eyjólfsson
Circular economy manager at Sorpa
I'm a street walking cheetah with a heart full of napalm! I’m passionate about people and the planet. Interesting and fun communication is the key to all fundamental changes. With over 25 years of experience in radio, TV, print and web media.
Worked in circular economy, waste management, screenwriting, stand-up, theater, and teaching, as well as creating and producing music. Exploring design thinking, digital transformation and innovation.
Sara Sande
Partner & Head of Green Transition Team, EIFO
Sara has over 20 years of commercial experience from B2B high-tech companies driving the green transition. She holds several board positions in promising start-ups and scale-ups in climate tech companies such as Agreena, Monta, Cellugy and Reduced. Her vision extends beyond conventional investment metrics to uncover the immense potential that emerges from collaboration and collective efforts. From sustainable energy ventures to fostering eco-friendly innovation, Sara is passionate about making a tangible difference. She stays active outside of the professional space with her three daughters, skiing, cycling and practising yoga.
Kjartan Þórsson
Founder & CEO Prescriby
Kjartan is the CEO and co-founder of Prescriby. Before that he was a practising physician within the Icelandic Healthcare system, involved in both prescribing and managing prescription opioids where he noticed a big gap in care that left patients at risk of developing addiction. The realisation led to the founding of Prescriby where Kjartan has served as a CEO as well as being a speaker, mentor and an overall enthusiast of healthtech in general.
Finn Erik Solvang
Founder & CEO Rockpore
Finn Erik is passionate about technology innovation and design of new circular materials and products. With over two decades of experience from the cleantech sector, he has primarily focused on advancing the upcycling of recycled glass.
This dedication is underscored by his development of three pioneering technologies tailored for the creation of specialty products utilising expanded glass. Presently Finn Erik is actively engaged in the design of innovative circular aggregates derived from industrial waste materials and mining tailings. This initiative aims to facilitate the transformation of concrete into a circular, low-carbon-emission material.
José Ramos
Program Director at MIT Industrial Liaison Program
José has worked in sustainability and innovation through his career after graduating in Mechanical Engineering from MIT. He has worked with corporations and startups around the world. He also spends a good deal of time in the Icelandic music scene. He also spends a good deal of time in Iceland at musical events, organizing shows, performing in gigs or dancing in the audience.
Björk Brynjarsdóttir
Founder and CEO of Melta
Björk is the founder of Melta, a start-up fusing fermentation and UX design to transform rural waste management, decentralize fertilizer production and, most importantly, rejuvenate soil ecosystems. Before Melta, Björk worked as a team coach, facilitator and service designer in both software and urban development. She is passionate about systems and infrastructure, putting her energy into solutions that simultaneously rebuild ecosystem biodiversity and improve the everyday life of individuals.
Peter Godart
Co-founder and CEO of Found Energy
Peter is on a mission to turn common materials into carbon-free, energy-dense replacements for fossil fuels to address climate change. As a former scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Peter developed spacecraft that could consume their vestigial aluminum components for energy - now he is working to help humanity do the same. Beyond his role at Found Energy, Peter is also an avid artist, educator, and writer, and his recent book Thermodynamics and Climate Change is available for free on MIT Opencourseware. Peter holds four degrees from MIT, including a PhD in mechanical engineering.
Karen Björk Eyþórsdóttir
Project Lead at Transition Labs
Karen has led projects in the field of sustainability and climate change, and has a passion for social innovation. Previously at the Prime Minister's Office, she managed Iceland's UN report on the country's progress towards the SDGs and co-led the creation of Iceland's new national strategy on sustainable development. Before that, Karen held various positions at the City of Reykjavík. Now, as a Project Lead at Transition Labs, Karen is assisting high-impact climate tech companies in scaling their operations in Iceland.