Did you know that Booksy is a project from the Podkarpackie region? This innovative app was co-authored by Stefan Batory, an entrepreneur and marathon runner from Kolbuszowa. Booksy application, which makes it possible to book appointments with a hairdresser, physiotherapist or bank expert, was created in January 2015 as a startup. Today, it is a global company, a leader on the Polish market, and it is currently expanding its business e.g. in the US, UK and France.
Owing to its support for bold and innovative ideas, the Podkarpackie Voivodship is home to an increasing number of very successful startups.
What is a startup?
A startup is a young company or team working on an innovative solution for a product or service. Startup projects are characterised by high risk, and require a lot of work and funding. A key aspect is scalability, i.e. the potential for rapid growth and expansion into new markets. Most startups need external funding to carry out the necessary research, develop a product and bring it to the market. Depending on the phase in their progress, they seek the support from EU funds, business angels, Venture Capital funds, etc.
Startups play an important role in the economy, by introducing new technologies and services, and by creating new jobs. They also attract investors and talent. They contribute to the region's economic growth enabled by the advancement of industry. They also stimulate cooperation between universities, public institutions and private companies.
The idea comes first.
An innovative idea is the cornerstone of a start-up. The concept often comes from professional experience and sometimes provides a solution to everyday problems. In some cases it is university students that come up with interesting ideas. Therefore, Rzeszów University of Technology and the University of Rzeszów provide support for young businesses by organising incubation programs.
The Podkarpackie Innovation Centre (PCI) is playing an increasingly important role in the startup ecosystem. It is here that school and university students as well as young entrepreneurs can use the Proto Lab - which is a complex of laboratories with mentoring services. The PCI also runs the DeepTech Accelerator grant program for startups. In addition to providing financial support, the program is designed to conduct educational, mentoring and networking activities.
Starting Platforms ‘Start in…’
The project Starting Platforms ‘Start in…’ offers support for startups at an early stage of their development. It is financed from the EU funds for Eastern Poland. First, ideas are evaluated by a Panel of Experts, then authors of the selected concepts are required to set up a company in one of the voivodeships of Eastern Poland, i.e. Podkarpackie, Świętokrzyskie, Lubelskie, Podlaskie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie and Mazowieckie, excluding Warsaw and nine district around that city. Those with innovative ideas can receive support such as office area, accounting and legal services, specialised technological and business services as well as a subsidy of 90,000 PLN. The incubation process continues for up to 6 months and ends with the development of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). This is the simplest version of the product, ready to be launched on the market. The best startups can apply to the Polish Industry Development Agency for a non-refundable subsidy of 600,000 PLN to enable further growth of their business.
AEROPOLIS Podkarpackie Science and Technology Park
AEROPOLIS Science and Technology Park, located near the Jasionka airport, has become a natural environment for the development of startups in the Podkarpacie region. It offers a technology incubator with modern office areas, laboratories and workshops as well as advisory services related to business, legal matters and taxes. It cooperates with universities, research institutions and companies, creating an ecosystem that supports innovation. AEROPOLIS also offers mentoring and advisory programmes and financial support, such as grants, subsidies and loans for innovative projects.
It is important that startups can operate in the environment of the park because other companies existing there often become their natural partners.
ESA BIC Poland – support for space-related business ideas
ESA BIC Poland is part of the European Space Agency's network of incubators. It supports startups using space technologies. The Industry Development Agency, leader of the National Consortium, cooperates with Regional Consortia in Warsaw and Rzeszów. Startups can acquire grants of up to 50,000 EUR and loans of up to 50,000 EUR, and they can get business, technical and legal advice as well as access to the infrastructure of the AEROPOLIS Technology Incubator. The incubation process lasts a maximum of two years.
Carpathian Startup Fest
This prestigious event is organised by the Rzeszów Regional Development Agency in cooperation with partners.
The festival promotes innovation and entrepreneurship, but most importantly it provides an opportunity for startups to present their ideas to investors. The festival program includes panel discussions, lectures and meetings with business experts. The event provides opportunities to establish business contacts and exchange experiences. The fourth event was held in 2024, with a total of 280 startups from all over Poland including 60 from the Podkarpackie Voivodeship. Representatives of more than 40 Polish investment funds came to Rzeszów on this occasion.
Some startups in the Podkarpackie
Dronehub is a startup specialising in drone technology, and offering innovative logistics solutions. Being the world’s first company of this type, Dronehub has developed ground infrastructure for drones. It produces docking stations on which any industrial drone can land autonomously, replace the battery and take off again. The Rzeszów-based company is growing as a result of the support acquired from the AEROPOLIS Science and Technology Park and from other partners. It is rapidly expanding into the US market and it cooperates with the German railway company.
Maas Loop is a startup specialising in the production of recycling equipment for catering establishments. Its products, based on an innovative technology, are designed to crush glass and plastic bottles and metal cans, enabling efficient waste management. The company largely focuses on sustainability and innovative approaches to recycling, which has gained recognition from investors and business partners.
Beccarii is a startup working on an innovative vehicle capable of landing, floating and flying. Equipped with continuous tracks, propellers and floats, this vehicle can operate stably in a variety of environments. The B-Technology team is working on a prototype of the superdrone at the Aeropolis Technology Incubator in Jasionka.
Revas Sp. z o.o. is a startup that has developed company and business management simulations, designed for students learning to set up and run a business. Revas participated in the Startup Platforms project, as a result of which it has acquired 800,000 PLN to finance the process of bringing new simulations to market, and to expand its business nationwide.
The Centre for Drone Services is a startup that has developed innovative analytical software for agriculture and forestry. Their product is designed to enable observation and assessment of crops and tree stands, which is helpful in preventing or minimising losses caused by pests and pathogens. The company participated in the Startup Platforms project and received support from the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development amounting to 1 million PLN, to enable marketing of their product.