VIIBIC – a project to increase inclusion, internationalization and sustainability among startups

BIC Factory is a business incubator that supports young entrepreneurs up to 40 years old in all industries. We are currently running a project called "ViiBIC" with the purpose to increase inclusion, internationalization and sustainability among startups.

Our goal is to attract a diversity of young entrepreneurs and provide them with tailored business support, access to a vibrant network, and a community of entrepreneurs essential for their growth as business leaders and the development of viable companies.

In particular we create opportunities for young foreign-born individuals to start and develop businesses, assist entrepreneures in their sustainability efforts making their products and services relevant for the future. We also support entrepreneures with business ideas that have international potential. In addition, we have a digital concept, BIC-Workaround, that allows us to help young entrepreneurs from the municipalities in Region 10 to develop their companies remotely (this includes Arjeplog, Arvidsjaur, Dorotea, Lycksele, Malå, Norsjö, Sorsele, Storuman, Vilhelmina and Åsele).

The ViiBIC project is founded by the Municipality of Umeå, Tillväxtverket and Region Västerbotten, and will run for three years from 2023 to 2025.