InvestorEmpowering Polish innovation and economic growth.
The startup scene across Poland
Where startups are forming across Poland: the cities, accelerators and investors, and how you get close to them.
The ecosystem
WIPO’s 2025 Global Innovation Index ranks Poland 39th among 139 economies, with innovation inputs ranked 45th and outputs 36th. Dealroom estimated Poland’s ecosystem value at €56.5 billion in its 2025 report; its dashboard showed 1,156 funded startups on October 4, 2026, counting companies founded in Poland or headquartered there.
Poland has been an EU member since May 1, 2004, and its capital is Warsaw. Dealroom’s 2025 report forecast €347 million of VC fundraising for that year; this was a forecast, not a confirmed fundraising result.
Sectors and strengths
Dealroom valued Polish deep-tech and life-sciences startups at €6 billion in 2025 and reported a 15-fold increase from 2015.
As of . Official information. Source: Polish Ecosystem Report 2025
Hubs and regional differences
The 2025 Krakow IT Market Report estimates more than 250 startups in Krakow and says 59% were established in the preceding five years. These figures are local report estimates.
As of . Official information. Source: 2025 Krakow IT Market Report
For founders
Dealroom counts a company for Poland if it was founded there or is headquartered there; its dashboard showed 1,156 funded startups on October 4, 2026.
As of . Official information. Source: Poland — startup ecosystem profile
OECD identifies application administration as an obstacle to public support, a practical consideration for founders exploring such support.
As of . Official information. Source: Sustaining productivity growth: OECD Economic Surveys: Poland 2025
For investors
Dealroom’s 2025 report valued deep-tech and life-sciences startups at €6 billion; its dashboard listed 11 unicorns and two decacorns in October 2026. These separately dated observations are not a reconciled count.
As of . Official information. Source: Poland — startup ecosystem profile; Polish Ecosystem Report 2025
Krakow’s 2025 local report estimates more than 250 startups, with 59% established within five years; these are local estimates, not a national count.
As of . Official information. Source: 2025 Krakow IT Market Report
Constraints and recent changes
OECD reports that Poland’s gross domestic R&D expenditure reached 1.5% of GDP in 2022 and that the share of firms innovating in products or processes remained below the EU average. It also identifies application administration as an obstacle to public support.
As of . Official information. Source: Sustaining productivity growth: OECD Economic Surveys: Poland 2025
Dealroom’s dashboard listed 11 unicorns and two decacorns on October 4, 2026, while Dealroom’s 2025 report listed 15 unicorns. These are separately dated counts that the cited claims do not reconcile.
As of . Official information. Source: Poland — startup ecosystem profile; Polish Ecosystem Report 2025
Startup ecosystem standing
Where Poland ranks
| Ranking | Edition | Position | Since last edition | Trust | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bloomberg Innovation Index | 2019 | #22 | Up 2 | B | Innovation, Research |
 Global Startup Ecosystem Index (countries) | 2025 | #33 | No prior edition | B | Ecosystem, Activity, Finance, Business Climate |
 Global Innovation Index | 2025 | #39 | Up 1 | A | Innovation, Competitiveness, Research, Talent |
 Doing Business (Ease of Doing Business ranking) | Doing Business 2020 | #40 | Down 7 | B | Business Climate |
 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking | 2026 | #41 | No change | B | Competitiveness, Business Climate, Performance |
362 organizations with a profile
Who's based in Poland
Investors 237
Investor
InvestorInnovating healthcare solutions in Poland.
InvestorInvesting in growth and innovation for long-term value.
The 3 most prominent of 237. Browse all investors
Incubators 53
IncubatorPayroll and legal support for tech professionals.
IncubatorSupporting innovation and business growth in Małopolska.
IncubatorTransforming the Polish startup ecosystem.
The 3 most prominent of 53. Browse all incubators
Accelerators 43
AcceleratorFundacja Rozwoju Przedsiębiorczości "Twój StartUp" is a non-profit organization based in Warsaw, Poland, established in 2012. It serves as an incubator…
AcceleratorStartSmart CEE is an equity-free startup accelerator and innovation platform based in Warsaw, Poland, focused on empowering tech startups from Central…
AcceleratorAccelerating innovations from research to market.
The 3 most prominent of 43. Browse all accelerators
Venture studios 29
Venture studioVenture builder focused on creating tech startups.
Venture studioBuilding startups through corporate partnerships.
Venture studioBuilding and nurturing startups from the ground up.
The 3 most prominent of 29. Browse all venture studios
Pick what describes you
Your way in
Raising in Poland
Investors based here, and the programs that take teams at your stage.
- Polski Fundusz Rozwoju S.A. (PFR)Investor
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine PolandInvestor
- All investors
Finding startups in Poland
Accelerators and incubators here see the earliest teams first.
Get startups that fitScouting in Poland
Campuses and communities are where teams form before anyone funds them.
Start scoutingCity guides
Cities in Poland
The largest 4 of 13 published city guides.
Questions about Poland
How does Poland rank as a startup ecosystem?
Its best position is #22 in Bloomberg Innovation Index (2019). It appears in 5 published rankings; the table above lists each one.
How many startup investors are based in Poland?
237 investors based in Poland have a profile here, including Polski Fundusz Rozwoju S.A. (PFR), Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Poland and TDJ. The real number is higher.
Are there accelerators or incubators in Poland?
Yes. Poland has 43 accelerators, 53 incubators and 29 venture studios on record, including Fundacja Rozwoju Przedsiębiorczości Twój StartUP, umowa and Daftcode.
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