A Closer Look at Poland’s Startup Ecosystem

Poland is steadily emerging as a notable player in Europe’s technology landscape. The report “Competences of Polish Tech Entrepreneurs” (2025), developed with support from Mentors4Starters and Sebastian Kulczyk’s InCredibles program, provides an in-depth analysis of the founders of Polish startups. Drawing on 125 surveys and 40 in-depth interviews conducted between 2021 and 2024, the study examines their skills, challenges, and needs. For international companies interested in the Polish market, this report offers valuable insights into the potential for collaboration.

Who Are Polish Tech Entrepreneurs?

The report outlines the profile of a typical Polish tech entrepreneur. They are predominantly aged 30–42 (born between 1982 and 1994), with the largest group falling between 35 and 37 years old. These entrepreneurs are well-educated – most hold higher education degrees, often in technical or business fields – and are committed to continuous learning through online courses, mentoring, and networking.

Polish startups primarily operate in sectors such as GreenTech, BioTech/MedTech, AI/ML, FinTech, and EdTech. Their choice of industry is driven by expertise, growth potential, and a desire to make a positive societal impact – 88% of founders assess their companies’ impact as positive or very positive. A notable example is the startup QurieGen, which secured 10 million PLN in 2025 for its AI-driven platform supporting oncology drug development, reflecting the growth of the healthtech sector (accounting for 72% of investment rounds in March 2025, according to XYZ.pl).

Structure and Dynamics of the Ecosystem

Poland’s startup ecosystem is relatively young. A significant 61.6% of founders are first-time entrepreneurs, and 78.4% of startups have more than one founder, indicating a preference for teamwork. Financially, most companies are in the early stages of development: 67.2% generate annual revenues below 100,000 PLN, while only 5.6% exceed 1 million PLN.

“Startups with strong intellectual capital are 70% more likely to survive their first five years of operation,” the report highlights, underscoring the critical role of competencies in building sustainable businesses.

Key Findings from the Report

• Entrepreneur Profile: Polish startup founders are aged 30–42, well-educated, and focused on continuous learning. They dominate in sectors like GreenTech, BioTech, and AI/ML.
• Young Ecosystem: 61% of founders are first-timers, and 78% of startups operate with multiple founders, leveraging diverse skills to compensate for limited experience.
• Financial Challenges: 67% of companies generate revenues below 100,000 PLN annually, reflecting challenges in scaling and a focus on product development.
• Core Competencies: Polish entrepreneurs excel in creativity and adaptability but require development in sales (11%), leadership (9%), and management (8%).
• Impact of AI: AI is expected to replace 17% of programming tasks and 16% of marketing functions, increasing the importance of soft skills like leadership and relationship-building.
• Ecosystem Needs: The report recommends introducing competency development programs in sales, strengthening advisory boards with industry experts, and promoting accelerator models.

Opportunities for International Collaboration

Poland’s startup ecosystem faces a competency gap, as noted by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP). The lack of business skills often hinders startups from scaling globally. International companies can address this gap by providing expertise in sales, leadership, and global market strategies. For instance, venture capital funds like PFR Ventures plan to invest nearly 2 billion PLN in startups through the FENG program, but the report suggests that funding alone is insufficient – substantive support is equally critical.

Polish startups such as QurieGen, HearMe, and Mindgram are already gaining international recognition, particularly in healthtech and AI sectors. Partnering with them can provide international firms access to innovative solutions while helping Polish entrepreneurs expand globally.

The “Competences of Polish Tech Entrepreneurs” report offers a detailed overview of Poland’s startup ecosystem. Polish entrepreneurs are educated, team-oriented, and creative professionals who need assistance in scaling their businesses. For international companies, this presents an opportunity to collaborate with ambitious startups in key sectors like healthtech and AI, while supporting their growth on the global stage.