Harald Hedman is Community Manager at Umeå Biotech Incubator. A job he sees as varied, educational and fun.
– I like structure and being service minded – that’s a big plus in this job, he says.
Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) has been named the only incubator in the Nordic region to once again be granted funding from the prestigious Erling Persson Family Foundation.
UBI is being granted SEK 10 million between 2020-2022 to help researchers commercialise their ideas for the greater benefit of society.
UBI’s CEO Jennie Ekbeck turns 40 on July 6. She has been CEO of Umeå Biotech Incubator since 2012 and during that time she has achieved a lot in lifting the life science industry in the region and in Sweden.
Umeå Biotech Incubator has appointed Lena Karlsson Engman as its new Chairman of the Board. Lena Karlsson Engman, who is a member of the Social Democrats at Umeå City Council and a former researcher at the Swedish Defense Research Agency (FOI) says: “I am very proud and happy”.
Umeå Biotech Incubator has been nominated for the prestigious Nordic Startup Awards.
– We are very honored! We strive to be the best incubator in Europe – and the best in the world. This is an acknowledgment that we are on the right path, ”says Jennie Ekbeck, CEO of Umeå Biotech Incubator.
A new report has busted many of the myths surrounding super entrepreneurs, claiming they do not generally have higher IQs than the average person and are not necessarily driven by revenge following a troubled childhood.
The report, compiled by the Stockholm-based Sting incubator together with Umeå Biotech Incubator and researchers from Karolinska Institutet also discovered several important abilities that characterise successful entrepreneurs.
Life science company Inficure Bio has been awarded millions by Vinnova to support the company’s development of a model that will help create new treatments for fibrosis.
“This money is incredibly important to us. Thanks to this investment we can now finish developing a new product”, says Sofia Mayans, CEO of Inficure Bio.
The ninth edition of Biotech Umeå’s annual partnering event was the first ever to fill up before deadline. Around 30 Swedish and European investors met with 13 startups and early cases. Two weeks after the event participants report an impressive turnout – on average they have retained at least five active leads per company.
The first ever edition of Meet Umeå Life Sceince gathered over 70 branch experts, entrepreneurs and researchers in Stockholm. This after-work networking mingle allowed startups to connect with experienced professionals with industrial expertise and business know-how. The aim was to match our promising ideas with the skills necessary to grow successfully.
As we enter 2018, we look back at a hectic, inspiring and successful year for the incubator-related community of life science companies in Umeå. We are experiencing a surge in incoming ideas, elevated interest from the industry and a stronger demand for the incubator facilities and labs.
The Umeå-derived invention has taken nine years to go from idea to approved product for sale. Pernilla Abrahamsson, the creator of OnZurf Probe, has successfully ushered her innovation all the way from that moment of serendipity to CE-approval – the final milestone before launch.
The Umeå-based life science incubator commonly known as UBI is growing in both projects, plans and people. The team is now searching for a service-minded laboratory technician that can help to develop the thriving life science community growing in and around the incubator at Tvistevägen 48.
Jennie Ekbeck has been the leading figure for life science in Umeå and northern Sweden since she took on the CEO-role for Umeå Biotech Incubator in 2013. She was named “Innovation Angel” by Veckans affärer and Vinnova in december 2015 and last year Umeå kommun handed her the Equal Opportunies prize. Now, her leadership is gaining attention as she is one of four nominees for the title “CEO of the year” in the Umeå region.
Eighteen meetings in two days. The team from Umeå reported a record interest in our portfolio of startups at the Nordic Life Science Days in Malmö 12-14th of September. Record participation, new location, world renowned key notes, displays, discussions and panels added to the success of the largest life science event of the year in Scandinavia.
17 out of 18 participating innovators recommend other researchers to work with Umeå Biotech Incubator. A recent interview study shows the cases appreciate being questioned, challenged and coached into really testing their ideas before proceeding.
1st of April 2019 the European Medicines Agency (EMA)will open in a new location outside the UK following Brexit. As of the 1st of August 2017, nineteen different cities in Europe are in the run to host the EMA. The Stockholm-Uppsala region is one of them, and the innovative climate and entrepreneurial vibe is considered a major strength in Sweden’s offer #ematosweden.
MedTech Week in Umeå gathered around 50 specialists, startups, politicians, researchers and health care management staff. The main topic was centered around digital transformation in health care. UBI joined the session together with Biotech Umeå, Uminova innovation and European Enterprise Network.
On the 24th of march 2017, Umeå Biotech Incubator hosted a public Open House event to showcase the improved design of the refurbished facilities and rental spaces for startups. Top attractions included hands-on demos from both Brain Stimulation and SpinChem and a challenging quiz walk with an impressive high score list.
The 14 and 15th of February, Umeå Biotech Incubator organised an Early Drug Development course open to both in-house projects and academics. 20 participants attended, 100 percent would recommend the course, and 90 percent evaluated the content as “very informative”.
The business coaches at Umeå Biotech Incubator have collected an impressive know-how over the years. With their inside position of some of the most innovative medical solusions they know how to get a life science company to thrive and grow.
