Capital of innovation

A subsidy of E53 (zł.200) million in development funds from the EU has been granted for the first phase of a 45-ha technology park in Poland's capital. The Warsaw Technology Park is the result of a joint initiative between city authorities and the national government. The R&D and business center will create a base for the development of innovative business technologies, facilitating the flow of knowledge and new ideas between academic and research institutions and businesses that can profitably implement new technologies.

Great potential

"Warsaw has great academic potential which is not being utilized. Warsaw Technology Park will provide a key link between scientists and businesses - maximizing the profitability of innovative solutions," says Jarosław Guzy, a member of the board at Technoport, the company created for the purposes of the investment. "Formerly, there was no political framework for a development of this nature. Now there is a wide-reaching strategic support system in place to make this project possible," he notes.

The complex will comprise 45 ha of land along the bank of the Vistula known as the "Łuk Siekierkowski," located six km south of the center. Two-thirds of this area will be dedicated for office, laboratory and conference space, while the remaining 15 ha will be developed as a green area for educational and recreational purposes. Construction is set to begin this year and last through 2015, costing an estimated R360 (zł.1,365) million.

Phase one

The first phase of the project is scheduled for completion by 2010 and involves the construction of a micro- and nano-technology center as well as a technology incubator, which will offer support for tech firms joining the park in its first year of operation. These will be housed in five buildings totaling 27,500 sqm of offices, laboratories and conference centers, in addition to technical and services infrastructure. EU funds will cover some 85 percent of the projected costs for phase one.

Technoport is currently negotiating with a number of firms for custom office and laboratory space. It will provide firms with all necessary utilities and communication infrastructure in addition to consulting services in the areas of business, accounting, taxation, finance, law and technology. Guzy says that the company is looking to support smaller companies in particular, providing them with the right conditions to promote growth within a sector that is developing at a remarkable pace all over the world.

"Warsaw Technology Park will allow companies to position themselves accordingly, allowing Poland as a whole to successfully compete in the global hi-tech sector," declares Guzy.