Northern Sweden’s only dedicated lab fair is back — and bigger than before. On May 8, Umeå Lab Fair returns to Tvistevägen 48A, bringing together 20 companies under one roof.
“There’s clearly a strong demand — companies have been lining up to take part,” says Christin Grundström, Lab and Community Manager at Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI).
Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) has been awarded 2.5 million SEK in continued support from Kempestiftelserna for 2026. These funds are designated to assist verification activities for researchers and projects associated with UBI.
On Tuesday, 25th Feb, researchers and industry representatives from Umeå’s Life Science sector will come together at Umeå University for Open Up For Innovation, an event designed to foster collaboration and drive innovation.
”A close dialogue between researchers and industry bridges scientific expertise with market needs, driving innovation—ultimately benefiting society through new treatments and solutions,” says Andreas Lindberg and Lisandro Bernardo from Umeå Biotech Incubator, who initiated the event.
Patient Safety Surveillance Solutions (P3S) is developing software that automatically monitors healthcare-associated injuries. Now, Tobias Tovedal, a business coach at Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI), is stepping in as the new CEO of the Karolinska Institutet (KI) startup.
Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) has once again been designated as an excellent incubator by the Swedish Innovation Agency, Vinnova and has been awarded SEK 14.6 million in excellence funding, ensuring financial support through 2029.
“This confirms that Vinnova has confidence in our work and our ability to help startups thrive,” says Peter Jacobsson, Acting Head of Operations of UBI.
Umeå has long been identified as a key actor within life science innovation and will soon be highlighted in an exciting new documentary project. Journalist and documentary filmmaker Luis Jachmann visited North Sweden to document Umeå’s role as a life science hub. This marked one holding point in the year-long documentary project, which aims to explore innovative initiatives across Europe and their connection to an integrated European continent.
The city of Umeå is actively seeking life science companies interested in setting up operations in the region. Partnering with Umeå Biotech Incubator, the municipality sends a delegation to BIO-Europe – Europe’s largest life science conference – to forge new connections and promote Umeå’s strengths as a life science hub.
Urban Eriksson has been appointed as the new Chairman of the board for Umeå Biotech Incubator.
Two business coaches from Umeå Biotech Incubator will head to the Nordic Life Science Days in Malmö on September 18-19. Their schedule is already packed with 22 pre-arranged meetings with a range of investors and potential partners for UBI’s 17 ongoing cases.
“We’ve lined up meetings with a mix of new and established contacts, both from Sweden and internationally,” say Pia Keyser and Tobias Tovedal.
Umeå is strengthening its position as a life science hub thanks to two regional development projects receiving around €1.8 million (22 SEK million) in EU support. These projects aim to boost innovation, collaboration, and industry growth.
“This presents an opportunity to further elevate Umeå’s standing as a life science leader,” emphasizes Peter Jacobsson, Operations Coordinator at Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI).
The magazine about the Life Science Umeå Job Fair includes:
* Interviews with all 18 participating companies.
* A Map of Life Science Umeå.
* Guide to how to stay tuned about the industry in Umeå.
* Stories & News from now and then about Life Science Umeå.
* A chronicle by Peter Jacobsson, Operations Coordinator at UBI.
The Financial Times has recognized Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) as one of “Europe’s Leading Start-Up Hubs”.
“This is an acknowledgment that our efforts are competitive, even globally,” says Peter Jacobsson, UBI’s operation coordinator.
Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) is inviting academic researchers and life science companies to meet and collaborate at its new ‘Open up for Innovation’ event on the 27th of February.
“We have world-class research being conducted at Umeå University and internationally successful companies based in town. Now we’re gathering 100 bright minds under one roof to stimulate innovation”, says Andreas Lindberg and Lisandro Bernardo, business coaches at UBI and initiators of the event.
Umeå’s life science sector took an important step forward this spring when Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) established a new Quality Assurance (QA) network. The network, which brings together representatives from some 15 companies, focuses on sharing experiences and strategies to deal with the increasingly complex quality requirements facing the industry.
As the summer holidays draw to a close, Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) is already busy getting back to work. On Thursday and Friday this week UBI Business Coach Pia Keyser will be at the Wasa Future Festival in Finland to talk about the life science collaboration in the Kvarken region.
Umeå Biotech Incubator has been granted SEK 14 millions for the ERDF project “Life science city”, which will further develop the life science industry in the region 2024-2026.
”It feels gratifying that we get to build on our long-term goal”, says UBI’s Operations coordinator, Peter Jacobsson.
He has been a vital part of Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) since its inception in 2003. But now, after 42 years of service in the biotech industry, it is time for respected research engineer Assar Bäckman to retire.
“My work has been hugely varied, and over the years I have learned a great deal. I usually have an emergency solution to most things if needed”, says Assar.
Jennie Ekbeck completed her final day as CEO of Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) last week. Experienced business coach Peter Jacobsson will now lead the business until a permanent replacement is appointed.
The Umeå Biotech Incubator-backed ‘Shades of Green’ project, developed by Boreal Orchards, has created a moss that can be used on buildings, infrastructure and for the regeneration of nature. Now founder Daniel Pacurar is collaborating on a new development project with RISE Processum AB and Ecohelix to maximize moss establishment with the help of by-products from the paper pulp industry.
Jennie Ekbeck, CEO of Umeå Biotech Incubator, has been awarded an honorary doctorate for 2023 at the Faculty of Science and Technology at Umeå University.
“I want research to benefit people, that is my driving force,” she says.