
The ICE Innovation Festival is anything but an ordinary experience
Dive into the heart of innovation and collaboration in the Arctic! Join us at ICE Innovation Festival 2024, where boundaries fade and ideas flourish in the midst of extreme networking, unconferencing, and unique Arctic experiences.
Program

Offer stack for ICE 2024 participants:
Arctic Welcome Party:
Begin your journey with an electrifying Welcome Party, embracing the Arctic spirit through music, dance, and cultural exchanges.
Unconference Immersion:
Engage in a trailblazing Unconference where your voice shapes the agenda, fostering profound connections and sparking innovation.
Extreme Arctic Networking:
Forge powerful relationships against the stunning Arctic backdrop, from glacier workshops to experiences sharing and teaching indigenous culture.
Global Insights from Keynotes:
Gain game-changing insights from international experts and entrepreneurs, igniting fresh perspectives for your ventures.
Arctic-Driven Workshops: Immerse yourself in Arctic-inspired workshops, combining nature's majesty with actionable strategies for creative problem-solving to create sustainable and scaleable businesses North on the Map.
Unforgettable Arctic Adventure: Embark on an extraordinary adventure, where education, innovation, and Arctic exploration converge to redefine your potential.
Inclusive opportunities:
Startup Scholarships: We're committed to nurturing innovation. Apply for our Startup Scholarship Program for a chance to win exclusive access to the festival, a travel grant and the opportunity to showcase your startup to a global audience.
Student Group Discounts: Learning thrives in groups! We offer attractive discounts for student groups, encouraging collaborative learning and empowering the next generation of innovators. Contact maja@svu.as for more information.
Early Bird Bonus: Secure your spot now and unlock exclusive early bird pricing for an unforgettable ICE Innovation Festival experience. Join us as we shape the future against the backdrop of the Arctic's awe-inspiring landscapes. Your Arctic adventure awaits!
Program
Day 0 - Welcome Activities:
Kick off the festival with a warm Arctic welcome! On Day 0, immerse yourself in local culture, forge new connections, and prepare for an unforgettable journey of innovation.
Day 1 - Unconference:
Imagine an event where the agenda is shaped by YOU. Day 1 is all about the Unconference—an innovative platform where ideas take center stage. No rigid schedules or passive listening; it's your chance to explore uncharted territories, engage in spontaneous discussions, unlock fresh perspectives and CONTRIBUTE to this shared experience. This is the power of the unconference—a day to exchange knowledge, challenge norms, and discover the unexpected.
Ung i Nord
We bring together young people from the North to discuss our generations big challenges within energy supply, climate change and depopulation.
Gen Barents Entrepreneurs
For young enthusiasts, students and entrepreneurs. Join us for an inspiring seminar covering topics like youth involvement, international cooperation, entrepreneurship and opportunities for youth in the Barents Region.
Creative
Join exciting workshops, express your creativity through unique projects, and be inspired by artists and designers who draw their creativity from the Arctic.
ArcTech
Explore the role of technology in driving future business growth. Forward-thinking companies in the tech race have significant success potential. Failing to embrace and position in tech advancement limits long-term survival chances.
Education for the Future
What skills do we need in the future? Which qualities should the employees and managers of the future have? Get an insight into what the education sector is focusing on today to build competence for the future and share your experiences and thoughts with us.
Arctic Startup
Coming soon
Day 2 - Extreme Arctic Networking:
Step into the heart of Arctic adventure on Day 2! Brace yourself for an unparalleled networking experience. From icebreaker challenges that shatter barriers to brainstorming sessions under the Northern Lights, this day is all about pushing boundaries while creating lasting connections. Whether it's on a glacier, in a traditional Sami tent, or at the edge of the Arctic Circle, you'll forge relationships that endure far beyond the festival.

Arctic Food Fair
Get ready for a journey full of Arctic tastes!
The Arctic Food Fair is an on-site catering open daily from 11:00 to 18:00 which will let passionate foodies explore local flavours and experiences.
Indulge your palate with exquisite delicacies served by local food vendors such as seaweed chips, reindeer meat, king crab dishes, cloudberry cheesecake, blueberry and lingonberry fruit leather and many other superfoods.
The Arctic Food Fair is so much more than just a simple nourishment – it cannot be experienced elsewhere. The uniqueness of local cuisine born under Nordic conditions combined with ingredients from clean Arctic nature leaves no one indifferent.
Come enjoy the Arctic feast!

This is not a traditional conference
Ignite the Arctic Spirit of Innovation: program for ICE Innovation Festival 2024 Unveiled!
Picture this: the Arctic's raw beauty, where icy landscapes meet cutting-edge ideas. ICE Innovation Festival is not just an event; it's an experience that transcends boundaries, ignites creativity, and fosters connections like never before.

Culture
Art and culture are the secret sauce
Local culture itself is an experience. But Kirkenes is also a place for thought triggering art and creation. We fill the old hospital with art that tells the story of the Kirkenes and the region in a unique way.
Kirkenes is known for its cultural diversity and variety of art forms. The festival showcases the best parts of it with installations and shows.
These opening ceremonies you do not want to miss!
Timetable
Explore the tracks
Day 1 – November 10th
Track: ICE Innovation Challenge
10:00-10:30
Opening show
Both stages
10:30-11:00
Welcome and intro to ICE map, program and activities
Both stages
11:00-12:00
Kick off ICE IC, entrepreneurial mindset with Willy
ICE stage
12:00-13:00
10 minute personal break / Reidar Wasenius. Program break, entertainment, lunch AFF
TBA
13:00-15:00
Selling and pitching workshop with Willy
Both stages
15:00-17:00
Participants working on prototypes
ICE stage
17:00-18:00
Panel debate Artic Startup and the ArcTech industry
Both stages
18:00-
Afterparty and dinner
TBA
TBA
Cook dinner on a fire – open for all participants (interactive and encouraging cooperation with each other and locals)
ICE stage
20:00-21:00
ICE Youth winners present and network. Working in teams, testing and prototyping
ICE stage
21:00-22:00
Wake up! activity
ICE stage
22:00-00:00
Working in teams, pizza party
ICE stage
Track: ArcTech
10:00-10:30
Opening show
Both stages
10:30-11:00
Welcome and intro to ICE map, program and activities
Both stages
11:00-12:00
TBA
TBA
12:00-13:00
10 minute personal break / Reidar Wasenius. Program break, entertainment, lunch AFF
TBA
13:00-15:00
TBA
TBA
15:00-16:00
Saga Forss - Advisor Corporate Finance | Angel Investor | Board Member - interested in sustainable, game changing ideas related to the Baltic Sea
Main stage
16:00-17:00
TBA
TBA
17:00-18:00
Panel debate Artic Startup and the ArcTech industry
Both stages
18:00-
Afterparty and dinner
TBA
Track: Experience the Arctic
10:00-10:30
Opening show
Both stages
10:30-11:00
Welcome and intro to ICE map, program and activities
Both stages
11:00-13:00
TBA Experience the Arctic experience
TBA
13:00-15:00
TBA Experience the Arctic experience
TBA
15:00-17:00
TBA Experience the Arctic experience
TBA
17:00-18:00
Panel debate Artic Startup and the ArcTech industry
Both stages
18:00-
Afterparty and dinner
TBA
Track: Arctic Startup
10:00-10:30
Opening show
Both stages
10:30-11:00
Welcome and intro to ICE map, program and activities
Both stages
11:00-12:00
Peter Vesterbacka – Finest Bay Area
Main stage
12:00-13:00
10 minute personal break / Reidar Wasenius. Program break, entertainment, lunch AFF
TBA
13:00-15:00
Selling and pitching workshop with Willy
Both stages
15:00-16:00
TBA
TBA
16:00-17:00
Virginia Vegas – Tech Investor. Community Builder. Startup Norway
Main stage
17:00-18:00
Panel debate Artic Startup and the ArcTech industry
Both stages
18:00-
Afterparty and dinner
TBA
Day 12 – November 11th
Track: ICE Innovation Challenge
10:00-10:30
Opening show
Both stages
10:30-11:00
Welcome and recap of yesterday, testimonials(?), program
Both stages
11:00-12:00
SVU+ Barsec intro, intro lecture from Elina
ICE stage
12:00-13:00
10 minute personal break / Reidar Wasenius. Program break, entertainment, lunch AFF
TBA
13:00-13:30
Paul Iske - Professor Open Innovation at Maastricht University, Owner KnocoM
Both stages
14:00-15:00
Conseptualizing and innovation design workshop with Elina
Both stages
15:00-16:00
Participant working on prototypes
ICE stage
16:00-17:00
ICE Innovation Challenge Finals pitching
ICE stage
17:00-18:00
Closing ceremony + IIC winners pitch and award
Both stages
18:00-
Afterparty and dinner
TBA
Track: ArcTech
10:00-10:30
Opening show
Both stages
10:30-11:00
Welcome and recap of yesterday, testimonials(?), program
Both stages
11:00-12:00
Christian Gummerus and Oulu Business
Main stage
12:00-13:00
10 minute personal break / Reidar Wasenius. Program break, entertainment, lunch AFF
TBA
13:00-13:30
Drone demo
TBA
14:00-15:00
Travel tech
Ofelas stage
15:00-16:00
Tomas Rakos - CEO | Participation Factory
Main stage
16:00-17:00
Panel debate - local impact/global reach
Both stages
17:00-18:00
Closing ceremony + IIC winners pitch and award
Both stages
18:00-
Afterparty and dinner
TBA
Track: Experience the Arctic
10:00-10:30
Opening show
Both stages
10:30-11:00
Welcome and recap of yesterday, testimonials(?), program
Both stages
11:00-13:00
TBA Experience the Arctic experience
TBA
13:00-15:00
TBA Experience the Arctic experience
TBA
15:00-17:00
TBA Experience the Arctic experience
TBA
17:00-18:00
Closing ceremony + IIC winners pitch and award
Both stages
18:00-
Afterparty and dinner
TBA
Track: Arctic Startup
10:00-10:30
Opening show
Both stages
10:30-11:00
Welcome and recap of yesterday, testimonials(?), program
Both stages
11:00-12:00
SVU+ Barsec intro, intro lecture from Elina
ICE stage
12:00-13:00
10 minute personal break / Reidar Wasenius. Program break, entertainment, lunch AFF
TBA
13:00-13:30
Paul Iske - Professor Open Innovation at Maastricht University, Owner KnocoM
Both stages
14:00-15:00
Conseptualizing and innovation design workshop with Elina
Both stages
15:00-16:00
TBA
TBA
16:00-17:00
Panel debate - local impact/global reach
Both stages
17:00-18:00
Closing ceremony + IIC winners pitch and award
Both stages
18:00-
Afterparty and dinner
TBA

10:00-10:30
Performance by SAVVA and ICE Introduction

Northern Lights Main Stage

All tracks
10:30-11:00
Welcome speech by Mads Frederiksen, Executive Director of the Arctic Economic Council

Northern Lights Main Stage

All tracks
11:00-11:30
Katja Gustafson:
What the f* is wrong with these people?

Northern Lights Main Stage

Arctic Startup
11:00-12:00
Walid O. El Cheikh:
Entrepreneurial Mindset + Intro to Pitching For Life

ICE Auditorium

ICE Innovation Challenge
11:00-13:00
Only with pre-registration
-
Husky experience dogsledding or
-
Snowhotel Visit
.png)
Snowhotel location w. shuttle bus

Experience the Arctic
11:30-12:00
Bo Koch Christensen:
Uniting the New Nordic Creative Changemakers

Northern Lights Main Stage

ArcTech
12:00-13:00
10-minute personal break challenge w/ Reidar Wasenius. Program break, entertainment, lunch Arctic Food Fair

Northern Lights Main Stage and Dining halls

All tracks
12:00-13:00
Sanna Lutsoja:
Product development lessons from ideation to exit

Ritz nightclub venue

Creative North
13:00-13:30
Staale Risa:
Smart money - attract the right investor at the right stage in your company

Northern Lights Main Stage

ArcTech
13:00-14:00
Elina Korpela:
Think like a Designer

ICE Auditorium

ICE Innovation Challenge
13:00-14:00
Kim Daniel Arthur:
From your childhood playroom and out into the world of startups

Ritz nightclub venue

Creative North
13:00-15:00 (17:00)
Only with pre-registration
-
Husky experience dogsledding or
-
Snowhotel Visit or
-
King Crab safari (returning at 17:00)
.png)
Snowhotel location w. shuttle bus

Experience the Arctic
13:30-14:00
Debbie Nsamba:
A Tech Rebel's Guide To The Metaverse

Northern Lights Main Stage

Creative North
14:00-15:30
Elina Korpela:
Think like a Designer - A Customer-Centric Workshop

ICE Auditorium and group rooms

ICE Innovation Challenge
14:00-15:00
Walid O. El Cheikh:
Pitching With Confidence

Northern Lights Main Stage

Arctic Startup
14:00-16:00
Vanessa Kisowile:
Building for the Future with the gate keepers / Women in business – network meeting

Ritz nightclub venue

Creative North
15:00-15:30
Christian Gummerus:
Arctic Aviation – connecting hubs

Northern Lights Main Stage

ArcTech
15:30-16:30
Christian Gummerus:
Drone demo

ICE Auditorium

ArcTech
15:30-16:00
Henri Terho:
Self-Driving in the Arctic, truly enabling business where few dare

Northern Lights Main Stage

ArcTech
15:00-17:00
Only with pre-registration
-
Husky experience dogsledding or
-
Snowhotel Visit
.png)
Snowhotel location w. shuttle bus

Experience the Arctic
16:00-17:00
Verineia Codrean:
The Equation of Risk & Luck for Entrepreneurs

Northern Lights Main Stage

Arctic Startup
16:00-18:00
Bernt Nilsen, Thomas Nilsen & Rune Storvold:
GPS jamming technology and counter measures

Ritz nightclub venue

ArcTech
17:00-18:00
Panel debate:
How can we create sustainable economic growth in the Arctic regions?

Northern Lights Main Stage and ICE Auditorium

All tracks
18:00-20:30
Only for ICE Innovation Challenge participants:
18:00-19:00 Wake Up! Activity – ICE swimming with Lexi Lobdell
19:00-20:00 Cook dinner on a fire – design thinking your meal
20:00-20:30 ICE Youth Winners present their pitches and talk about being young in the Arctic

ICE Auditorium and work rooms

ICE Innovation Challenge
19:00-00:00
ICE Afterparty

Ritz nightclub

All tracks
Day 1 – November 10th
10:00-10:30
Welcome by CEO Kirkenes Chamber of Commerce Magnus Mæland: Love, jobs, happiness and the good life in Kirkenes

Northern Lights Main Stage

All tracks
10:30-11:00
Peter Vesterbacka:
Creating gravity in Kirkenes – it all starts with Nothingness

ICE Auditorium

Arctic Startup
10:30-12:00
Walid O. El Cheikh:
Pitching With Confidence Workshop

Northern Lights Main Stage

ICE Innovation Challenge
11:00-11:30
Yuri Kozik:
Ukraine's development after the war and the role the Nordics should play

ICE Auditorium

Arctic Startup
11:00-13:00
Health Tech:
Health Tech networking session

Ritz nightclub venue

Creative North
11:30-12:00
Katariina Komulainen:
Digital innovation hubs, paving the way for next-generation entrepreneurship

ICE Auditorium

Arctic Startup
12:00-12:30
Peter Vesterbacka:
Revitalizing the Arctic with the Triple E model

Northern Lights Main Stage

Arctic Startup
12:00-13:00
10-minute personal break challenge w/ Reidar Wasenius. Program break, entertainment, lunch Arctic Food Fair

Northern Lights Main Stage and Dining halls

All tracks
13:00-14:00
Paul Iske:
Sometimes you earn, sometimes you learn!

Northern Lights Main Stage

Arctic Startup
13:00-14:00
Students empowering students – networking session for shaping a sustainable future

Ritz nightclub venue

Creative North
13:00-15:00 (17:00)
Only with pre-registration
-
Husky experience dogsledding or
-
Snowhotel Visit or
-
King Crab safari (returning at 17:00)
.png)
Snowhotel location w. shuttle bus

Experience the Arctic
14:00-15:00
Walid O. El Cheikh:
Pitching Clinic for ICE Innovation Challenge participants

ICE group work rooms

ICE Innovation Challenge
14:00-14:30
Caspar Høgh:
How to get Venture Funding

Northern Lights Main Stage

Arctic Startup
14:30-15:00
Sabyachi Sengupta:
Path to Transform

Northern Lights Main Stage

Arctic Startup
15:00-16:00
Katya Petrikevich:
Particiapation as a system: engaging in a smart and practical way

Northern Lights Main Stage

ArcTech
15:00-17:00
Only with pre-registration
-
Husky experience dogsledding or
-
Snowhotel Visit
.png)
Snowhotel location w. shuttle bus

Experience the Arctic
16:00-17:00
ICE Innovation Challenge – semi finals pitching

ICE Auditorium and group rooms

ICE Innovation Challenge
16:00-17:00
Panel debate:
Local Impact from Global Reach: Digital tools to connect remote entrepreneurial ecosystems

Northern Lights Main Stage

All tracks
17:00-17:30
ICE Innovation Challenge pitching FINALE

Northern Lights Main Stage and ICE Auditorium

ICE Innovation Challenge
17:30-18:00
CLOSING CEREMONY:
Open concert with Signe Sparby

Northern Lights Main Stage

All tracks
19:00-02:00
ICE Afterparty

Ritz nightclub

All tracks