Recently, a declaration of intent was signed by Reykjavik University, the University of Iceland, and the University of Akureyri to jointly manage Snjallræði, a university accelerator for social innovation.

Since its establishment in 2018, Snjallræði has been a leading platform for the development of solutions that promote sustainability and social progress. The project has created opportunities for students, recent graduates, and university staff to work on real-world challenges with the support of experts and partners from industry.

Through this collaboration, the aim is to strengthen Snjallræði as the first joint university accelerator in Iceland and to ensure that the project remains at the forefront of social innovation in the country. The universities will jointly oversee the management of Snjallræði, provide professional and strategic leadership, and ensure that it continues to be open to students and staff, while also contributing staff resources and supporting the implementation of the accelerator.

Dr. Ólafur Eysteinn Sigurjónsson, Dean of the School of Technology at Reykjavik University, welcomes the collaboration and says it is especially important right now to ensure the safe advancement of innovation in the field of sustainability and social development.

We welcome this collaboration, as Reykjavik University is at the forefront of innovation and research that benefits society. With joint support, we ensure that Snjallræði will continue to be a leading force in connecting universities and industry. This is essential, as the safe advancement of innovation in the fields of sustainability and social development has likely never been more important than it is now.