2. Launchpads for new ideas:
This programme operates in Eastern Poland, i.e. for new start-ups based in the provinces of Lubelskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Świętokrzyskie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie and Mazowieckie without Warsaw and its surrounding counties.
Value of funding and description of the latest project:
Component I Incubation - development of a new business idea
A start-up must apply to one of the incubation centres that carries out an incubation programme accredited by the Polish Entrepreneurship Agency. In November 2023, the accredited incubation centres were selected and in January-March 2024 each of them should announce its incubation programme.
At this point, one incubation programme has been announced: Unicorn Hub's Startup Platform, which plans to start calling for ideas in January 2024.
Component II - Supporting startup business development:
Component II a
Upon completion of incubation in the Startup Platform (Component I), the most innovative and best business-promoting startups with an MVP and a validated business model have the opportunity to receive financial support to further develop their business and enter the market with their product/service and first sales.
Eligibility:
Funding will be provided for expenses intended to develop the startup's business activities, in particular:
- salaries of persons directly involved in the implementation of the supported project;
- purchase of services (e.g. IT, technical, advisory services) related to the development of the business model;
- costs of investment in tangible and intangible assets (purchase of fixed assets, raw materials and materials, patents, licenses, know-how);
- costs of marketing activities, including promotion and information activities, serving market expansion, including international expansion (e.g. participation in fairs).
Maximum support intensity in Component II a: 85% of eligible costs.
Maximum value of project co-financing in Component II a: PLN 600,000.
Beneficiaries:
- Startups (capital companies) that have successfully completed the incubation programme of a new business idea in the Startup Platform.
- Also applicable to startups that have completed incubation in POPW 2014-2020 (earlier programme) and have an Incubation Report valid as of the date of submission of the grant application in accordance with the project selection regulations for the given call.
Component II b
Upon completion of Component II a, ventures with potential in key areas for the macro-region, requiring the commitment of significant resources and a longer implementation period (in particular due to certification, registration/accreditation requirements, the scale of investment, etc.) will be able to obtain additional support for the development of their business established under the Startup Platforms programme.
Eligibility:
Funding will be provided for expenses intended for the development of the startup's business, in particular:
- salaries of persons directly involved in the implementation of the supported project,
- purchase of services (e.g. IT, technical, advisory services),
- costs of investment in tangible and intangible assets (purchase of fixed assets, raw materials and materials, patents, licenses, know-how),
- costs of marketing activities, including promotion and information activities, serving market expansion, including international expansion (e.g. participation in fairs).
Maximum support intensity in Component II b: 85% of eligible costs.
The maximum amount of project co-financing in Component II b: PLN 3,000,000.
Beneficiaries: Startups that have completed Component II a.
Maximum % EU co-financing of the project: 85%
Who can benefit from the funding?: Start-ups in Eastern Poland (Warmińsko-Mazurskie, Świętokrzyskie, Lubelskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, NUTS2 Region: Mazowieckie Regional)
Deadlines: IIa 06.2024-08.2024, IIa Q4 2024
