The team Affineva emerged as the winner in the Gulleggið 2026 finals. Gulleggið is the largest and oldest innovation and startup competition in Iceland. Sara Pálsdóttir, Managing Director of Community & Culture, presented the team with handsome prize money furnished by Landsbankinn, the competition’s main backer.
The competition is hosted by KLAK - Icelandic Startups and has since 2008 been an important launchpad for innovators with ideas in the development stage. Numerous start-up companies, who have now achieved success in both the domestic and international markets, took their first steps in Gulleggið.
This year’s competitors were a diverse group of teams with ideas spanning biotechnology and sustainable energy to new solutions to leverage data, technology and Icelandic resources. The competition was ambitious and competitive indeed.
1. Place – Affineva
The team’s concept focused on developing specialised biotechnology solutions for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
The team received ISK 2,000,000 in prize money from Landsbankinn.
Affineva also received Frumukjarninn, the biotechnology award of Gulleggið, which consisted of a development grant of ISK 300,000, a 3-month development and testing opportunity at Fruman, access to research facilities, mentorship from biotech experts, and a custom award from Héðinn. Gróska | Heimar also granted Affineva access to facilities at Gróska, one of Iceland’s most powerful innovation hubs, enabling the team to develop its idea in close proximity to other startups and investors.
2. Place – IORDEN
The team presented a solution that uses artificial intelligence and automation to simplify and improve quality control for smaller food producers.
The team received ISK 1,000,000 in prize money from Landsbankinn.
IORDEN also received the Junior Achievement Iceland award and will have the opportunity to participate in the GEN-E innovation competition in Riga, Latvia, where the team will meet international peers and investors on a larger stage.
3. Place – Norrstone
The team’s idea revolves around a digital ecosystem for jewellery, a solution based on blockchain-powered digital jewellery certificates that facilitate authentication, insurance, loyalty programs and resale.
The team received ISK 500,000 in prize money from Landsbankinn.
Special prizes
KPMG awarded one team a special prize consisting of 20 hours of consulting, which can be used for business planning, investor presentations, company formation, tax matters and other key steps in building a startup. This prize was awarded to the team E-Lísa.
The most popular team, as voted by guests and audience members, Deadgroove Games, received a prize from Origo consisting of consulting from the company’s experts, including in sales and marketing as well as digital solution development.
Gulleggið Honorary Award 2026 to Lavashow
The Gulleggið Honorary Award 2026 was awarded to the company Lavashow, whose original concept was among the ten ideas competing in the Gulleggið competition in 2016. In recent years, Lavashow has attracted significant attention for transforming natural forces into a unique experience for guests, building a strong brand, and creating value in both tourism and the creative industries.
The honorary award recognises the substantial entrepreneurial effort, perseverance and courage required to build a company like Lavashow.
