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.
Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) has won the Regio Stars Västerbotten 2023 award for its ‘Life Science Motorn 2.0’ regional fund project in the category “A region with localized sustainable business development”.
“It feels amazing that our project is being recognized and praised”, says UBI’s outgoing CEO, Jennie Ekbeck, who was the project manager behind the ‘Life Science Motorn 2.0’.
Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) is ending its development project program period with the “Life science super week” between May 8th-10th 2023 – an action-packed three-day event filled with seminars, an investment day, a life science pub plus a brand new services business fair.
“Life science in Umeå is buzzing right now, so pulling together several events at the same time gives us great synergistic effects”, says Jennie Ekbeck, UBI’s CEO.
The Board of Directors of Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) has announced that CEO Jennie Ekbeck is leaving her post after eleven years.
Brian Reznik from Argentina was one of the first participants of a new international incubator course hosted by Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) that is aimed at helping life science startups.
“We received a lot of help from UBI – among other things in regards to interviews and validation. They really helped us navigate our way through our challenges”, he says.
Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) will represent Umeå’s life science industry as part of the annual ‘Västerbotten på Grand Hôtel i Stockholm’ event being held in January.
“We want to contribute to Umeå’s growth as a life science city by connecting the life science industry with local, regional, and national decision-makers”, says UBI’s CEO Jennie Ekbeck.
Svenska inkubatorer och innovationskontor med life science-inriktning har gjort gemensam sak.
Resultatet: Kunskapsportalen – en gemensam utbildningsplattform som både effektiviserar och förenklar kunskapsinhämtandet för forskare, innovatörer och startups inom området i Sverige.
– Det är resursineffektivt i Sverige att varje inkubator och innovationskontor ska ordna sin egen utbildning. På det här sättet får vi synergier och mer pang för pengarna, säger Jennie Ekbeck, styrelseordförande för life science-inkubatorernas förening ALIS och ordförande i projektets styrgrupp.
Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) specializes in developing life science business ideas. Now it is looking for more success beyond its borders with the launch of an international incubator program.
“If you strive to be one of the world’s best incubators you must have the whole world as your marketplace”, says Jennie Ekbeck, CEO of UBI.
Den 3 maj arrangerade Umeå Biotech Incubator en arbetsmarknadsdag, där 18 företag deltog.
Över 250 besökare kom och stämningen var god.
– Vi är väldigt nöjda med life science-mässan. Det var väldigt roligt att se så många utställare och besökare som alla var intresserade av life science. Viktigt för branschen – och viktigt för Umeå! säger Malin Walfridsson på Nordic Biomarker.
Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) is arranging a recruitment day with life science companies this May – and already 19 companies have signed up to take part.
“We want students to get in touch with us. Recruitment opportunities are everything for life science companies”, says Jennie Ekbeck, CEO of Umeå Biotech Incubator.
The life science industry in the Umeå region is on track to triple its turnover and double the number of people it employs by 2030. To help it reach this target, the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth has awarded Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) a grant of SEK 9.5 million.
For the next 18 months, UBI will develop meeting places and create the conditions for the continued growth of the life science industry in northern Sweden.
“We are delighted that our application has been approved! This gives us the opportunity to continue to develop the industry and contribute to the appeal of northern Sweden”, says Jennie Ekbeck, CEO of UBI.
Companies and alumni from Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) raised SEK 301 million in capital investment and grants in 2021 – a huge increase of SEK 243 million compared to the previous year.
“It’s an absolutely fantastic amount. We work hard to help companies attract investment, so it is clear that our incubator process is working. Of the companies that raised money, 50 percent have a female CEO, which is extra gratifying”, says Jennie Ekbeck, CEO of UBI.
Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) has strengthened its team with the appointment of two new business coaches – Lisandro Bernardo and Tobias Tovedal.
“There’s significant demand right now for business support, both in the early and late phases of development. We are extremely happy to welcome these two stars to our team”, says Jennie Ekbeck, CEO of Umeå Biotech Incubator.
The northern Sweden’s first networking pub for people working in the life science industry will open its doors in Umeå on November 23rd. Behind the initiative is Umeå Biotech Incubator, which has previously been named Europe’s most innovative life science incubator.
“In Umeå we think it is important to ‘pay it forward’. We want to help and support one another and create a strong sense of unity and community. In order to succeed, we need to get to know each other”, says Jennie Ekbeck, CEO of Umeå Biotech Incubator.
The CEO of Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI), Jennie Ekbeck, has been named as one of five finalists in the small company category of Sweden’s CEO of the Year 2021.
“I was surprised and very happy to find out I had made it to the final. I feel really honoured”, says Jennie Ekbeck.
The award ceremony will be held at Fotografiska in Stockholm on 11th November.
