Iceland is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean. It has a population of and an area of 103000km2, making it the most sparsely populated country in all of Europe.[1] The capital and largest city is Reykjavík. Reykjavík and the surrounding areas in the southwest of the country are home to over two-thirds of the population. Iceland is volcanically and geologically active.
Iceland has a market economy with relatively low taxes compared to other OECD countries.[2] It maintains a Nordic social welfare system that provides universal health care and tertiary education for its citizens.[3] Iceland ranks high in economic, political and social stability and equality. In 2013, it was ranked as the 13th most-developed country in the world by the United Nations' Human Development Index.[4] Iceland runs almost completely on renewable energy. Affected by the ongoing worldwide financial crisis, the nation's entire banking system systemically failed in October 2008, leading to a severe depression, substantial political unrest, the Icesave dispute, and the institution of capital controls. Many bankers were jailed,[5] and the economy has made a significant recovery, in large part due to a surge in tourism.[6] [7] [8]
As of 2011, there are approximately 32,500 companies registered in Iceland of which 14,500 (45%) are active.[9]
This list includes notable companies with primary headquarters located in the country. The industry and sector follow the Industry Classification Benchmark taxonomy. Organizations which have ceased operations are included and noted as defunct.
| Name | Registered name | Industry | Sector | Headquarters | Founded | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 365 | 365 - miðlar ehf | Consumer services | Media | Reykjavík | 1986 | Broadcaster | |
| Advania | Advania ehf | Technology | Software | Reykjavík | 2012 | Information technology | |
| Air Iceland | Flugfélag Íslands ehf | Consumer services | Travel & leisure | Reykjavík | 1997 | Airline; merged with Icelandair | |
| Arctic Trucks | Arctic Trucks Ísland ehf | Industrials | Commercial vehicles & trucks | Reykjavík | 1990 | Exploration and commercial vehicles | |
| ÁTVR | Áfengis- og tóbaksverslun ríkisins | Consumer services | Retail | Reykjavík | 1998 | Alcohol/tobacco state monopoly | |
| Bónus | Bónus | Consumer services | Retail | Reykjavík | 1989 | No-frills supermarket | |
| Carbon Recycling International (CRI) | Carbon Recycling International | Oil & gas | Alternative energy | Reykjavík | 2006 | Renewable methanol | |
| CCP Games | CCP hf | Technology | Software | Reykjavík | 1997 | Video game developer | |
| Dagsbrún | Dagsbrún ehf | Conglomerates | Reykjavík | 2003 | Telecommunications, media, security | ||
| deCODE genetics | Íslensk erfðagreining ehf | Health care | Biotechnology | Reykjavík | 1996 | Gene research | |
| Egill Skallagrímsson Brewery | Ölgerðin Egils Skallagrímsson | Consumer goods | Food & beverage | Reykjavík | 1913 | Brewery | |
| Eimskipafélag Íslands | Eimskipafélag Íslands hf | Industrials | Marine transportation | Reykjavík | 1914 | , The Icelandic Steamship Company | |
| FRISK Software International | Friðrik Skúlason ehf | Technology | Software | Reykjavík | 1993 | Antivirus software | |
| Hagar | Hagar ehf | Consumer goods | Food & beverage | Reykjavík | 2003[10] | Food holding, includes Hagkaup and Bónus | |
| Hagkaup | Hagkaup | Consumer services | Retail | Reykjavík | 1959 | Hypermarket chain | |
| HB Grandi | HB Grandi hf | Consumer goods | Food & beverage | Reykjavík | 2004[11] | Fishing | |
| Icelandair | Icelandair ehf | Consumer services | Travel & leisure | Reykjavík | 1937 | Airline | |
| Icelandair Group | Icelandair Group hf | Consumer services | Travel & leisure | Reykjavík | 1937 | Travel and tourism group | |
| Íslandsbanki | Íslandsbanki hf | Financials | Banks | Reykjavík | 2008 | State-owned bank | |
| Íslandspóstur | Íslandspóstur hf | Industrials | Industrial transportation | Reykjavík | 1776 | Postal services/shipping | |
| Landsbanki | Landsbanki | Financials | Banks | Reykjavík | 1885 | Defunct 2008 | |
| Landsbankinn | NBI hf | Financials | Banks | Reykjavík | 2008 | State-owned bank | |
| Mannvit Engineering | Mannvit hf | Industrials | Industrial engineering | Reykjavík | 1963 | Engineering and consulting | |
| Marel | Marel hf | Industrials | Industrial machinery | Garðabær | 1983 | ||
| Marorka | Marorka ehf | Technology | Software | Reykjavík | 2002 | Energy management software and research | |
| MP Bank | MP Banki hf | Financials | Banks | Reykjavík | 2003 | Investment/commercial bank | |
| Nói Síríus | Nói-Siríus hf | Consumer goods | Food & beverage | Reykjavík | 1920 | Chocolates | |
| Nyherji | Nýherji hf | Technology | Computer services | Reykjavík | 1992 | Computer services, software consulting | |
| Ossur | Össur hf | Health care | Medical Equipment | Reykjavík | 1971 | ||
| Promens | Promens hf | Industrials | General industrials | Kópavogur | 1984 | Packaging, plastics | |
| RÚV | Ríkisútvarpið ohf | Consumer services | Media | Reykjavík | 1930 | The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service | |
| Síminn | Síminn hf | Telecommunications | Fixed line telecommunications | Reykjavík | 1906 | Also provide mobile telecom | |
| Sláturfélag Suðurlands | Sláturfélag Suðurlands svf | Consumer goods | Food & beverage | Reykjavík | 1907 | Food producer co-op | |
| Teris | Teris | Technology | Software | Kópavogur | 1989 | Financial software | |
| Solid Clouds | Solid Clouds hf | Technology | Software | Reykjavík | 2013 | Video game developer | |
| Tulipop | Tulipop ehf. | Consumer goods | Retail | Reykjavík | 2010 | Lifestyle brand | |
| Vodafone Iceland | Fjarskipti hf | Telecommunications | Mobile Telecommunications | Reykjavík | 2003 | Vodafone (UK) branded firm | |
| WOW air | Wow Air ehf. | Consumer services | Travel & leisure | Reykjavík | 2011 | Low-cost airline, defunct 2019 |