From an idea to your own company, there's only one step. If the experts like your concept, you'll receive practical knowledge and up to 600,000 PLN in funding to develop your project.
This is one of the most interesting support opportunities for people with business ideas in recent years. It's the “Startup Platforms for New Ideas” initiative, financed by the EU's European Funds for Eastern Poland program. It's organized by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP). What does this support involve, and who is eligible?
Support centers are waiting for ideas
First, let's explain what Startup Platforms are. This term refers to centers for supporting and developing business ideas. They are run by operators such as science and technology parks, industrial parks, or business incubators. There are six such centers. All operate in the Eastern Poland macroregion, encompassing the Lublin, Subcarpathian, Podlaskie, Świętokrzyskie, Warmian-Masurian, and part of the Masovian Voivodeships (excluding Warsaw and its surrounding counties).
Individuals with ideas that have business potential can apply to the platforms. Importantly, these concepts cannot be the subject of any previous business activity. Idea authors present their ideas to a panel of industry experts, practitioners, and incubation specialists. If the panel of experts determines the concept is worthy of support, the author is accepted into the incubation program.
A caregiver and an individual program for everyone
This support is free. The program requires the idea creator to first establish a capital company. Once accepted into the Startup Platforms, they receive comprehensive support in various business areas.
Each project is assigned an incubation manager, or lead mentor. Together, the idea creator and the manager create a customized incubation program and determine the services needed to develop the idea. This can include basic legal, financial, and accounting support, as well as specialized support tailored to the idea, such as research and development.
Up to PLN 600,000 for idea development
In the second stage of the program, idea creators can receive non-repayable financial support of up to PLN 600,000. This funding is available to young companies that have successfully completed the incubation process and have a report to prove it.
What can the funding be used for? Entrepreneurs will use the grants to finance, among other things , staff salaries, the purchase of patents, licenses, know-how, raw materials, and materials for test production. This also includes the purchase of IT, consulting, and expert services to support the development and implementation of the previously developed business model.
“We are deeply satisfied watching the entrepreneurs we support consistently move from the idea phase to commercialization, offering clients new solutions and technologies. Crucially, thanks to this instrument , startups gain not only financial resources but also the necessary knowledge and skills to develop profitable ventures, acquire customers, and establish a lasting market position. Poland's eastern regions have enormous entrepreneurial potential, which – with the right support – can transform into a powerful stimulus for the entire economy,” says Joanna Zembaczyńska-Świątek, Deputy President of the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP).
Until when can applications be submitted?
Applications for the first stage of the program (incubation) will be accepted until May 10, 2027. The Polish Agency for Enterprise Development recently announced another round of applications for the second stage. PLN 40 million has been allocated for project funding .
Applications for the new round will be accepted from August 5th until the end of September. According to PARP estimates , approximately 500 young companies will benefit from funding of up to PLN 600,000 by 2027.
