Regina found her dream job in Umeå's green sector
When Regina Gratz moved from Germany to pursue a master's degree at Umeå University, she had no idea it would mark the beginning of a longer journey. The combination of an exciting job at the biotech company Arevo and Umeå's blend of urban life and proximity to nature has led her to her seventh year as a Umeå resident.
It was the complete package that attracted me. A fulfilling job, a fantastic team, and a city where I really feel at home. Umeå has everything I need
As a Business and Product development Manager at Arevo, Regina has an exciting role in the company's development of environmentally friendly plant nutrients. Arevo is located in a newly built facility at Dåva Eco-Industrial Park, which aims to become a world-leading center for green innovations.
A workday at Arevo
Her workdays involve both business and product development, requiring her to move between the office, the greenhouse, and travel to meet clients and stakeholders. She appreciates the mix that comes with working in a smaller, fast-growing company.
– In a small organization like Arevo, you often wear multiple hats. It gives you the chance to take on responsibility early and gain a comprehensive understanding of both the business and the technology. It is both challenging and rewarding; I’ve truly found my niche.
What attracted you to Umeå and Arevo?
– It was the research and technology that first drew me in. As I was completing my master's degree in Germany, I had the opportunity to do an exchange year at Umeå University, while working on my thesis. I enjoyed that year a lot. That was also when I first met Arevo's founder, who gave me my first glimpse of the company. After I completed my doctorate degree in Germany, I returned to Umeå, and I’m not thinking about moving back anymore. It’s so exciting to be right in the middle of this green sector.
What experiences have been important in your current role?
– My studies in plant biology have been the foundation for the development work I’m doing here. I’ve learned a lot about what plants need in order to thrive and how chemicals affect the soil. My doctoral studies included a lot of teamwork, and I had the opportunity to mentor students, which developed my ability to work in a structured way - very educating.
What are you currently working on at Arevo?
– Our products are used for cultivating and planting tree seedlings in forestry. We’re mainly focused on expanding our market right now. In agriculture, we’ve just launched our first product, a seed coating for soybeans, which has great potential to contribute to more efficient cultivation and reduced environmental impact. At the same time, we’re working on lab development, greenhouse testing, and large-scale field trials to validate our technology for more crops. I lead a team of five people who manage the entire process from the lab to the final product.
How do you assess the future prospects for your industry here in Umeå?
– Umeå is a perfect place for biotech, deep tech, and life sciences, and all these sectors are on the rise here. There is great potential in Umeå and many opportunities to find jobs in these areas – several of my friends have moved here with their partners and found jobs. Right now, we are 15 employees at Arevo, but we have plans to grow significantly more and are advertising several new positions. Umeå feels like a future hub for sustainable innovation and technological development.
How is the balance between work and spare time?
– That’s an important question, and at Arevo we work actively to promote work-life balance. Here in Sweden, that balance is encouraged in a very different way than in Germany. We have wellness programs and wellness allowances, and we can use company bikes to ride to work. All of those incentives make a huge difference and contribute to a healthy work environment and to improve life outside of work.
What is the best part about living and working in Umeå?
– The city of Umeå is a great contrast to the big city in Germany where I lived before. Here, I have easy access to nature; we live by a city lake, and it offers everything we need while still being calm and pleasant. For me, that’s what defines good balance between work and leisure. We often take our tent and head out into the woods – it’s a unique freedom that I wasn’t used to before moving here.
Facts about Regina:
Name: Regina Gratz
Age: 36
Lives: Umeå
From: Germany
Occupation: Business and Product Development Manager
Family: Partner
Hobbies: Squash, Outdoor activities
Favorite food: Homegrown vegetables
Favorite shows: Documentaries
Favorite spot in Umeå: Holmen