🚀 Prominent Tech Founders Turned Angels
  • Hilmar Veigar Pétursson
    CEO, CCP Games (EVE Online)
    • Long-time leader of CCP Games, creators of EVE Online.
    • Invested in LearnCove, an Icelandic EdTech startup, alongside InfoCapital.
    • Co-invested in dating app The One, an angel round with Sigurður Ólafsson.
    • Described as active on boards and committees related to IT and innovation.
    Focus: selective local investments in education tech, gaming, and consumer apps.
  • David Helgason
    Co-founder, Unity Technologies
    • After Unity’s global success, David turned his focus to climate and sustainability investing.
    • Founded Foobar, a family office investing in decarbonisation.
    • In 2021 launched Transition Ventures, a climate-tech fund targeting deep-tech solutions.
    • Remains on Unity’s board; invests internationally from Reykjavík and Copenhagen.
  • Jón S. von Tetzchner
    Co-founder, Opera & CEO, Vivaldi
    • Pioneer of the modern web browser.
    • Founded Innovation House in Reykjavík and Boston, low-cost co-working/incubator spaces for startups.
    • Invests personally in startups in Iceland, Norway, and the U.S., with an emphasis on ethical tech and founder support.
  • Thor Fridriksson
    Founder of QuizUp, Teatime, Rocky Road Games
    • Known for the hit app QuizUp and later Teatime Games.
    • In 2023 founded Rocky Road Games, securing $3M seed funding with angels including David Helgason.
    • Participated as an angel in sports-tech startup Abler.
    Note: Thor remains primarily a serial founder rather than a frequent angel.
💡 Other Active & Frequent Angels
  • Bala Kamallakharan
    Founder, Startup Iceland & Iceland Venture Studio
    • Central ecosystem builder, founder of Startup Iceland and Iceland Venture Studio.
    • Early investor in CLARA (acquired by Jive), GreenQloud (acquired by NetApp), and international startups like Buuteeq and Genome Compiler.
    • Mentor and community catalyst; known as a “startup community hacker.”
  • Heiða Þórðardóttir (Heida Thordardottir)
    Prominent female angel investor with focus on tech startups.
    Provides early funding and mentorship; listed among Iceland’s top angels.
    Limited public information compared to peers.
  • Ari Helgason
    Partner, Transition Ventures
    • Former Index Ventures principal, now GP at Transition Ventures.
    • Serves on the board of Kría, Iceland’s seed fund.
    • Focus: software, fintech, and climate tech.
  • Kjartan Órn Ólafsson
    Entrepreneur & Angel
    • Founder of Basno and Volta Labs.
    • Venture partner at Brunnur Ventures since 2020.
    • Angel investor and board member in Taktikal (e-signature SaaS), DataMarket, TeaTime, and others.
  • Kristín Pétursdóttir
    Co-founder, Audur Capital
    • Former CEO of Audur Capital, pioneering women-led investment firm.
    • Vice chair of Arion Bank’s board.
    • Angel investor in GRID, an interactive spreadsheet startup.
  • Andri Sveinsson
    Investor, Dr. Agon / Novator
    • Former partner at Novator, now investing via Dr. Agon.
    • Board member and investor in PLAIO (AI pharma planning).
    • Investor in biotech Genis.
  • Sigurður “Siggi” Ólafsson
    Pharma Executive & Investor
    • CEO of Alvotech, former Teva Pharmaceuticals exec.
    • Angel in The One dating app.
    • Investor in sports-tech platform Abler.
  • Guðjón Valur Sigurðsson
    Athlete Angel
    • Legendary Icelandic handball player turned investor.
    • Invested in Abler alongside other angels.
    Focus: sports-tech and youth sports.
  • Sigurður Arnljótsson
    Former CCP Executive, Brunnur Ventures
    • Co-founder and first CEO of CCP Games.
    • General partner at Brunnur Ventures, chairman of gaming studio Solid Clouds.
    • Active in gaming and deep-tech investments.
🤝 Angel Clubs & Syndicates
  • IceBAN – Iceland Business Angel Network
    Founded in May 2024 as Iceland’s first official angel association.
    Founders include Jón Ingi Bergsteinsson, Svava Björk Ólafsdóttir, and Ragnheiður H. Magnúsdóttir.
    Supported by EBAN, aims to professionalize and unite Iceland’s angels.
  • Nordic Ignite
    Founded in 2022, based in Kópavogur.
    Early-stage investor across the Nordics and Baltics with focus on equality and sustainability.
    Founders include Rita Anson and Ragnheiður H. Magnúsdóttir.
  • Icelandic Startups (KLAK)
    Runs accelerator programs like Startup Reykjavík and Startup Energy Reykjavík.
    Organizes the national business plan competition Gulleggið.
    Matches startups with investors and corporates.
  • Informal Syndicates (“Arctic Ventures” ethos)
    Icelandic angels often co-invest in marine tech, geothermal, and tourism startups.
    Not a formal entity, but reflects sector-driven cooperation.
🏛️ Family Offices & Evergreen Investors
  • Novator Partners (Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson)
    Iceland’s first billionaire investor.
    Investments include Deliveroo, Monzo, Zwift, Cazoo, and more.
    Founded Icelandic telecom Nova in 2007, sold it in 2021.
    Remains highly international, based in London and Luxembourg.
  • InfoCapital (Reynir Grétarsson)
    Founded in 2009 after Creditinfo’s success.
    Focus: fintech, telecom, and SaaS.
    Holds major stakes in Sýn, Meniga, and Creditinfo.
    Co-invested with Hilmar Pétursson in LearnCove.
  • Eyrir Invest / Eyrir Ventures
    Evergreen holding company spun out of Marel/Össur investors.
    Long-term backer of Controlant, Men&Mice, and other tech firms.
    2025 update: debt-free after Marel/JBT merger; new board elected.
  • Kría – Icelandic Venture Initiative
    Launched in 2021 as a government-backed fund-of-funds.
    Co-invests alongside angels and VCs, strengthens Iceland’s seed-stage ecosystem.
    Board includes Ari Helgason (Transition Ventures).
    2025 “Frumsjódur” programme selected startups like Sundra and Keep for early-stage support.