In 2009 Monocle took notice of Reykjavik's growing businesses and optimistic entrepreneurs, a hopeful sign that the city, and Iceland in general, might be on the brink of overcoming their 2008 economic collapse.
The start-ups here are not deterred by conditions and take inspiration from successful forebears, such as CCP Games, [whose]...executive producer Nathan Richardsson notes, 'This wave of innovation happening in Iceland is a result of the dire consequences of 2008, which provides a useful constraint on developing ideas to find the simplest, best solution.'In stark contrast to the frothy days of high finance, these bright young leaders have helped create an entrepreneurial culture where banker bragging rights have been traded for humble lunches and transparent business. The view...is one of optimism.
No small part of Reykjavik's burgeoning economy is due to tourism, an industry the country continues to push with all its might. The latest evidence is an interactive city map, soon to be expanded into an online shop and a mobile app. Designed by Borgarmynd, the map lets you zoom in and out of a cheerful illustration of Reykjavik's streets, with a special focus on restaurants, bars, shops and cultural sites. The business descriptions are pretty cute. According to the map, Faktory is where, "You fell in love 7 times a live concert, made 30 new friends, danced to a DJ set and crashed a private party. The suns up now. Just another night at the famous Faktory, the hottest partyplace (their spelling, not mine) in 101."
The map is still a bit beta, but for the most part it's pretty user-friendly and, I imagine, actually helpful if I were traveling to Reykjavik, which I really, really wish I was.