From October 28 to 31, 2024, seven ambitious deep tech startups from across Europe embarked on an exciting journey to Warsaw as part of the Ready2Scale Market Discovery Mission. This four-day adventure was more than a trip—it was a crash course in navigating Poland’s vibrant startup ecosystem. With workshops, one-on-one meetings, and exposure to key events like the Cobin Angels cross-border study trip and the Deep Tech Summit CEE, participants gained insights, connections, and tools to scale their businesses in this dynamic market.
The first day kicked off with an in-depth look at Poland’s investment scene, where startups discovered the wealth of grants, accelerators, and venture capital opportunities available locally and across the EU. The afternoon shifted gears with individual meetings, providing personalized face time with local stakeholders, industry experts, and potential investors. These tailored conversations helped the startups build valuable connections and set the stage for meaningful collaborations throughout the mission.
The second day started with an experience-sharing session hosted by Cobin Angels, a prominent angel investing network in Poland. Participants soaked up invaluable knowledge about the local startup ecosystem during a session led by Maciek Sadowski from Polish Startup Hub. Adding to this, Piotr Kedra from PFR Ventures, Kristiina Libe from Tehnopol and Ready2Scale, and Maria Tyka-Majewska from HugeThing provided a well-rounded view of the ecosystem.
In the afternoon, the cohort attended the Deep Tech Summit CEE, an event that brought together Poland’s brightest minds in business and innovation. Engaging presentations, panel discussions, and networking sessions offered startups a closer look at the opportunities within Poland’s startup and business landscape. The evening wrapped up with a VIP reception and a pitching contest, where the startups wowed investors and ecosystem leaders with their innovative solutions.
The third day continued at the Deep Tech Summit, focusing on the synergy between science and business. Startups explored how to harness research capabilities to drive innovation, with actionable strategies for scaling their technologies. The summit gave participants a deeper understanding of Poland’s role as a growing hub for deep tech innovation.
The final day delivered a comprehensive dive into Poland’s startup ecosystem, blending cultural insights with actionable advice. Packed with discussions, presentations, and networking, the agenda left no stone unturned. Startups learned about everything from Polish business culture to effective marketing strategies and heard inspiring case studies from local founders.
Poland offers a variety of opportunities
The Ready2Scale mission wasn’t just a learning experience—it was a launchpad. Kristiina Libe’s dynamic presentation spotlighted the participating startups, amplifying their visibility in Poland’s startup ecosystem. Among the standout moments, Feyenally’s impressive pitch captivated audiences, showcasing the cohort’s ability to disrupt markets and drive meaningful change.
Piotr Kruszynski, the CEO of Feyenally, recalled: “During the Deep Tech Summit in Warsaw, I had the privilege of participating in the pitching contest organized by 4NGELS. Pitching at such an iconic venue as Warsaw Stock Exchange was exhilarating—it wasn’t just about presenting our startup but also about demonstrating how technology can address pressing global challenges.”
This mission highlighted the power of collaboration and market exploration, giving European deep tech startups the tools to thrive in Poland and beyond. Warsaw proved to be more than a host—it was a gateway to innovation and opportunity. Polish market expert Jarek Dudko said that expanding a business to Poland offers foreign founders unparalleled opportunities for growth and innovation. “Poland is rapidly emerging as a tech hub with a thriving startup ecosystem, world-class talent, and a supportive business environment. As described during the Ready2Scale programme’s Warsaw trip, Poland currently provides startups with a number of unique opportunities to access cutting-edge technology parks, strategic partnerships, and a vibrant market eager for new solutions,” said Dudko. He highlighted an EU financed accelerator programme with a grant to work on an innovative PoC with a local strategic partner. More details on the operators can be found here.
