ICE Kirkenes hosted the event, bringing together young entrepreneurs and students from across the Arctic and northern Nordic regions to explore the potential of circular transition and entrepreneurship in remote areas.
The summit's main day on September 19 drew 127 participants from 12 countries, with an additional 60 visitors exploring the attached pop-up second-hand shop organized by Kirkenes flyktning- og kompetanseenhet. Kirkenes welcomed attendees from Finland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Portugal, fostering an environment ripe for networking and laying the groundwork for future circular economy initiatives
Collaborative Workshops Kick Off the Summit
The event kicked off with a day of collaborative workshops co-created with Om:nord and GENGREEN projects. Nordic Innovation hosted a Nordic Circular Economy Playbook workshop, engaging ICE Arctic Youth Community members and other young entrepreneurs. Participants delved into various applications of circular business models and explored the Playbook as a valuable toolbox for sustainable innovation.
Discussions centered on how young circular entrepreneurs and students can leverage platforms to connect, emphasizing that the circular economy thrives on resource sharing, collaboration, and networking.
For young entrepreneurs, the ICE Arctic Circular Economy Summit presents an invaluable opportunity to lead the way in shaping a circular economy in the Arctic.
– Hanna Törmänen, Senior Innovation Adviser
Nordic Innovation
Main Event Highlights Circularity and Innovation
At the summit's main day Nordic Innovation moderated a compelling debate on the challenges and opportunities facing young entrepreneurs building circular economy businesses in the region. The panel featured Valentina Klaas from Surova, Gustav Vestlie from Marine Spark X, and Jonas Morshedy from Start Norge.
Key takeaways from the panel included:
- The need for a paradigm shift in the current financing system to recognize the value of circular business models.
- Challenges in navigating regulatory systems, especially for startups using secondary or bio-based raw materials.
- The importance of recognizing innovative ideas from students and providing access to early-stage risk capital.
The session concluded with a bold vision: the Arctic and Northern areas have the potential to drive the region forward and become a global hub for the circular economy.
Embracing Technology for Circular Transition
The summit emphasized the role of modern technologies like blockchain and AI in driving circular transition. Nordic Innovation presented the Nordic Blockchain Guide, an inspirational catalog for fashion, furniture, and design companies looking to leverage blockchain technology. The organization also participated in a panel discussing various funding opportunities available for circularity entrepreneurs.
Circular Startups Take Center Stage
The 46elks Snowhotel Party & Pitching event, featured a competition among seven circular startups. Rent&Park, Kimberlite, Surova, Hringvarmi, Vext, Marine Spark X, and Circular Library Network pitched their innovative solutions to a panel of expert judges.
Marine Spark X emerged victorious, securing two Slush tickets and a 20,000 NOK prize. This competition showcased the diverse range of circular solutions emerging from the Arctic region and highlighted the potential for sustainable innovation in remote areas.
As Nordic added value the ICE Arctic Circular Economy Summit proved that even in remote regions, innovation and collaboration can flourish, paving the way for a more sustainable and circular future.
