Poland Prize

BASICS

Following the huge success and popularity of Poland Prize pilot edition and Poland Prize 2nd edition, the program is currently available as one of acceleration paths under the umbrella brand of Startup Booster Poland – SmartUp program.

Call announcement: June 2024

Application open: 17 June 2024

Application deadline: April 2026

Maximum funding: PLN 400 000

Project location: POLAND

Territorial range: Poland & worldwide

Target group: Foreign startups, micro & small enterprises

Detailed description

Goal:

Poland Prize is a program inviting foreign startups to start activity in Poland. Its objective is to effectively attract and adopt foreign technology and business culture into the Polish startup ecosystem. The programme combines the idea of soft landing and acceleration for startups and puts a special emphasis on preparing foreign entrepreneurs to operate in Poland and on their further development.

Who can get funding?

Poland Prize program welcomes foreign startups, founders, and talents developing innovative technological products and interested in expanding to or starting their business in Poland. Required steps include:

application to one of 5 accelerators (choose one below);
meeting the selection criteria and winning the selection process;
incorporation in Poland;
meeting all formal requirements to sign an acceleration contract and become a grant-taker.

Incorporation in Poland is required to become eligible to get funding from the Program. The newly registered Polish entity should meet the criteria of micro or small enterprise and the conditions under Article 22 of Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 (defining a startup particularly as a company that has not been operating for more than five years since the date of its formal registration).

Check out and pick the most suitable offer from the selected operators

Development path:

Poland Prize acceleration program includes a soft-landing component, i.e. bridging activities aimed at providing foreign startups with the necessary conditions to start their business operations in Poland. This includes, among other things, the support of a so-called “startup concierge”.

The soft-landing stage in each round of the Poland Prize acceleration program lasts no longer than 3 months from the date the Accelerator signs the grant agreement with the startup (with the option of temporarily suspending the acceleration process and pausing the timeline in justified cases).

The services available and funded under the program include individualized activities necessary for a foreign startup to begin operations in Poland. These may involve, for example, building the startup’s team, enhancing its competencies, adapting to new market conditions, establishing relationships, promotion, and potentially securing a business partner (a B2B Technology Seeker / Recipient or an Investor).

What can the grant be used for?

purchasing startup concierge services;
salaries for startup employees involved in the implementation of the individual acceleration plan, including individuals engaged under civil law contracts;
purchasing services necessary for achieving the acceleration milestones;
purchasing fixed assets;
purchasing intangible and legal assets;
nformation and promotional activities.