Photo: Amanda Sveed
Umeå Startup and Innovation Ecosystem
Umeå’s startup and innovation ecosystem combines research-driven innovation with practical support structures, making it one of northern Sweden’s most dynamic environments for new ventures.
Umeå is characterized by deeply rooted collaborative culture that unites business, academia, and public actors. The city has several specialized innovation environments that together cover the full spectrum of entrepreneurship.
4x ways to bring your business idea to life in Umeå
- Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI)
External link, opens in new window. – is a state-of-the-art biotech incubator, offering facilities, know-how and financing. UBI has 21 fully equipped labs where you can develop your idea. They have been named one of Europe’s top 15 biotech incubators and was listed as one of Europe's Leading Start-Up Hubs by Financial Times in 2024. - Uminova Innovation External link, opens in new window. – focused on tech, digitalization, and scalable innovations. They are one of Sweden’s leading incubators and part of Vinnova’s Excellence Program. They provide business development support, coaching, and connects innovators to Swedish and international industry, large corporations, investors, partners, and an extensive network of talent and expertise.
- eXpression Umeå External link, opens in new window. – for creative and design‑driven companies. eXpression Umeå is Sweden's leading incubator for cultural and creative industries. They support around 100 entrepreneurs and idea generators each year, and offer personalised business coaching, workshops with experts and a creative space for work, networking and community.
- BIC Factory External link, opens in new window. – for young entrepreneurs in the early stages. BIC Factory is a business incubator that works to discover and help young entrepreneurs, between 18 and 40 years old, to start businesses in Umeå. They offer a creative environment, tailored business support, and access to a strong network.
Together, they offer a diverse range of business development support, coaching, laboratory environments and workspaces, networks, and connections to investors.
Support that grows with your ambition
Besides incubators, the innovation and business support ecosystem in Umeå includes a wide range of organisations and services that help you move forward and reach your goals as an entrepreneur.
Ung Företagsamhet Västerbotten External link, opens in new window. – helps young people in Västerbotten develop their entrepreneurial skills by providing education in entrepreneurship.
Nyföretagarcentrum Umeå External link, opens in new window. – offers free guidance to anyone who is thinking about starting a business – or has already started one. Experienced advisors can help you with your business idea, budgeting questions, marketing, or anything else related to your entrepreneurship.
Coompanion Västerbotten External link, opens in new window. – offers advisory services and expertise in democratic entrepreneurship, social innovation, and local development, for and throughout the entire Västerbotten region.
Almi External link, opens in new window. – offers financing in the form of loans and venture capital, as well as support and guidance in business development for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Region Västerbotten External link, opens in new window. – decides on financing in the form of regional business support and project funding with the aim of promoting sustainable regional growth.
Almi External link, opens in new window. – offers financing in the form of loans and venture capital, as well as support and guidance in business development for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Region Västerbotten External link, opens in new window. – decides on financing in the form of regional business support and project funding with the aim of promoting sustainable regional growth.
Connect Norr External link, opens in new window. – provides expert help to equip companies and entrepreneurs with the right tools and capital, or prepare them for future ownership changes.
Företagarna Umeå External link, opens in new window. – is a community that helps you grow as an entrepreneur through networking and the exchange of experience. Members receive practical support in their daily business, for example in legal matters, training, insurance, and recruitment/staffing.
Styrelseakademien Norr External link, opens in new window. – helps you plan your personal development journey in corporate governance and board responsibilities. They educate board members and owners in value‑creating board work in order to help you make an impact in the boardroom. They also provide customised training programmes for your board and executive management.
Enterprise Europe Network External link, opens in new window. – the networks main objective is to provide and offer support to ambitious small and medium sized enterprises to internationalize.
Västerbottens handelskammare External link, opens in new window. – The Chamber of Commerce aims to be a unified driver for international growth on fair terms, and to contribute to more sustainable long‑term growth for companies in Västerbotten. They are a collaboration partner for both our members and other stakeholders.
Business Sweden External link, opens in new window. – The Swedish trade and invest council helps Swedish companies grow global sales by offering strategic advice and practical support in more than 40 markets around the world.