Six accelerators selected in Poland Prize program
Recruitment for the operators of Poland Prize program has just ended. Six accelerators were chosen. They will start operating this year. The aim of the initiative is to support young, innovative companies in settling in our country and acceleration. The program will also promote Poland as the country of first choice to conduct business in Central and Eastern Europe.
Poland Prize is the first Polish program aimed to attract foreign startups. As part of the pilot program, Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP) has selected operators who proved the most experience in cooperation with foreign startups. Their tasks will include scouting, assessment whether a particular idea has a chance to commercialize and accelerate talents. As a result, six new accelerators, which will be in charge of attracting foreign talents to our country, will appear on the Polish map.
Among the projects selected for this task were:
- Space3ac Enterprise managed by Blue Dot Solutions;
- The Prize – acceleration program of Startup Hub Poland foundation;
- Huge Thing with a program aimed at startups from the fin-tech and mar-tech industries;
- Gdańsk Entrepreneurship Foundation;
- AD Ventures with accelerator Entrepreneurial Poland Intermarium Accelerator
- and Brinc Limited with the Brinc project dedicated to startups in the connected hardware industry.
Poland Prize will support foreign startups as early as they decide to come and run a business in Poland and then help them to settle and start a business in our country. For these projects, the so-called dedicated visa path is created. Additionally, a concierge will be appointed, which will support foreigners in everyday challenges – both those related to the transfer to a new country, as well as those regarding the establishment of a business. Apart from substantive support, startups can count on a grant up to PLN 200,000. Startups will also have the opportunity to establish business relationships with investment or industry partners.
Startups that will come to Poland will be evaluated in terms of: innovation of the proposed solutions and ideas, the estimated value of the solution, potential development and conducting business on other markets. In order to invite a company to the program, it will be necessary to refer to a letter of intent from the Polish side, e.g. from the VC fund or industry partner, indicating interest in the startup offer. The acceleration process will include actions aimed at expansion of Polish innovation ecosystem i.e. mentoring services, accounting and legal consulting as well as specialized technology consulting and networking. Therefore, startups will receive support in acquiring investors, external financing or potential clients.
50 young, innovative companies will take part in the pilot version of the program.
