The Foundation became a supporting partner of the Hi-Tech Startup Project, which launched in July of this year. This project aims to develop an effective formula for collaboration between the startup community, academia, and business. This trilateral collaboration aims to commercialize technological advancements and transfer advanced technologies to businesses through specialists launching hi-tech companies, followed by the sale of technological solutions to investors. Thanks to the Hi-Tech Startup project, creators of innovative ideas have the opportunity to find employment in organizations interested in their projects, sell their concepts to investors, or start their own businesses.
The project supports the development of innovation in the Polish economy, as its long-term goal is to retain the skills and knowledge of young people in Poland, creating a center of excellence for hi-tech startups in our country.
More about the project: www.hitechstartup.pl
Organizers:
Kronenberg Foundation at Citi Handlowy – The Foundation is committed to promoting financial education and entrepreneurship, cultural heritage protection, and employee volunteering. These areas reflect the Bank’s strategic approach to corporate social responsibility.
AIP is a practical business school for startups. They allow them to test their ideas on the market on preferential terms and without the need to register a business or company.
Partners:
Institute of Applied Research of the Warsaw University of Technology – A limited liability company, wholly owned by the Warsaw University of Technology. It was established “to better utilize the intellectual and technical potential of the university and to transfer scientific results to the economy.”
Warsaw University of Technology – The oldest Polish technical university. For over 180 years, it has been educating successive generations of engineers, making a significant contribution to the development of technical sciences. The Warsaw University of Technology is a place where tradition meets modernity.
Supporting Institutions:
Grayling
The world’s second-largest independent consulting firm, specializing in public relations, public affairs, investor relations, event management, CSR communications, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
Cooperation Fund Foundation
Schedule:
Stage 1: July 15, 2015 – September 28, 2015.
Recruitment of Participants – The announcement of the top 50 ideas, qualified for the next stage, will take place on September 28, 2015.
Stage 2: September 30, 2015 – October 25, 2015.
Workshops and Business Model Development
TOP 50
From the 50 projects in the program, the recruitment committee will select the 30 most promising ones to advance to the third stage.
The announcement of the top 30 ideas, qualified for the next stage, will take place on October 25, 2015.
Stage 3: November 1, 2015 – January 15, 2016.
Two-month pre-incubation period – business testing
The third stage involves implementing a comprehensive system of services for future entrepreneurs, enabling the development of technological ideas and their market introduction, based on the AIP infrastructure and university laboratories.
Stage 4: January 15, 2016 – February 30, 2016
Sales development of the 10 most promising business models
This stage will include meetings with potential investors, contractors, etc., during which project participants will receive support in validating their products in market conditions.
The owners of all 10 prototypes will also receive advice from scientists who are entrepreneurs and run successful businesses.
The advice will include at least two meetings for each of the 10 product owners.
The final element of the project will be the presentation of the top three prototypes/services to representatives of businesses, local authorities, and the media at the project’s final gala in February 2016.
