New start-up fund will grant PLN 62 million to 10 accelerators

The Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP) has organized a pilot project which will see 10 companies receive, collectively, PLN 60 million, the Polish press reported on Monday. The goal of the project is to enable start-ups to develop connections with larger companies which, it is hoped, will facilitate their access to expertise, infrastructure, resources, new clients and markets. The competition for the grants drew 61 companies, and the ten firms which best met the criteria set out by PARP represent a kaleidoscope of technology parks, foundations and public and private companies across Poland. “The interest in piloting exceeded our expectations. We were able to mobilize a large number of not only potential accelerators, but (also) large companies, including companies of the Treasury, whose potential and openness to start-ups can add new products and services to the market. We hope that in two years there will be 200 new innovative companies,” said Deputy Minister of Development for Poland, Jadwiga Emilewicz. PARP president, Patrycja Klarecka, said that the 10 chosen firms are expected to sign contracts in December, so that they would be ready to begin operating in 2017. The project is part of the larger ‘Start In Poland’, which provides nearly PLN 3 billion for the development of start-ups in Poland. Companies receive assistance not only in the phase of incubation and acceleration, but also at the stage of further development and international expansion.