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Poland Prize powered by Huge Thing aims to help non-Polish startups by:
We help you understand Polish business better so you can focus on acceleration with our Partners.
Some startups might want to focus on opening a company in a new country and high-quality mentoring and professional workshops at every stage. Others might be willing to test their product with partners. We help to find the best path for you and your team!
At Huge Thing, our goal is to connect startups with partners so you can show what you do best – develop tech solutions. This usually means: accelerating you to the point where you’re ready to validate your business with corporations or VC funds. Then we can introduce you to a larger network — who knows maybe you will raise your next investment round in Poland.
If you want to participate in the Poland Prize program, you must meet the following requirements:
1
Poland is for your potential next market to enter
2
You are willing to set up a company in Poland – Don’t worry! If you get in, our legal team will help you through the process of registration, opening a bank account etc.
3
At least 50% of shares in the new Polish company will belong to the founders of the team from outside Poland and at least one of the management board members comes from outside Poland
4
Your Polish company wasn’t created through a merging or splitting of already-existing companies
5
Your team is ready to respond to areas of interest identified by partners of the accelerator
6
You have a proof of concept for your idea
7
Your business idea already generates revenue
8
Your team is well-motivated and ready for new challenges
Phase 2 is available only if your Partner is still interested in your solution and there's potential for PoC
Do you want to join the group of program partners? Check HERE who can be a partner and what benefits from working with startups under the program.
Coca Cola HBC Poland & Baltics is a branch of Coca-Cola HBC AG, a strategic partner and the world’s second largest bottler of The Coca-Cola Company beverages, reaching over 590 million consumers. We operate on 4 among: Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian, and our portfolio includes: Coca-Cola carbonated drinks, Coca-Cola Zero, Coke Energy, Cherry Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Kinley Tonic, juices and nectars Cappy, Kropla Beskidu and Kropla Delice mineral waters, Burn energy drinks, Monster Energy and Predator and Fuzetea iced teas.
Żabka Polska is the owner of the fastest-growing chain of convenience stores in Poland and one of the most dynamic formats in the world, opening more than 4000 new stores in 2016-21. There are over 8,400 stores operated by more than 7,100 franchisees under the Żabka brand. About 15.5 million Polish consumers live no further than 500 m from the nearest Żabka store. To provide them with convenience and the highest quality of service, Żabka Future develops technological and system tools for the future. As part of the Żabka Group responsibility strategy, the chain has made commitments in the areas of good nutrition, services that facilitate sustainable life, the development of entrepreneurship, diversity and inclusive organizational culture, corporate governance, as well as decarbonization and circular economy. More information about Żabka Polska on: www.zabka.pl.
EIT InnoEnergy is a leading fund investing in energy, cleantech, mobility, and broader smart technology solutions, both in Europe and beyond. Since its creation in 2010, and with the support of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), it has invested €560 million in sustainable energy innovation, providing funding and additional support to approximately 380 start-ups.
You can learn more about the details of the program – check out the FAQ questions.
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Maryla Wojcieszek
Interim Head of Knowledge, Innovation Shaper
As Innovation Shaper at Huge Thing, Maryla supports large organizations in processes related to innovation. That includes, among others: ‘as is’ diagnosis, analysis and (re-)design of processes, innovation framework design, structuring the work of innovation teams, and facilitating cooperation with startups. As the Interim Head of Knowledge, Maryla is responsible for the materialization and transfer of knowledge as well as talent management within the Huge Thing team. She designs and creates new products/services based on internal knowledge resources as well as new models of delivery and dissemination. She’s also a workshop designer and facilitator.
Experienced designer of (public) programs supporting the startup ecosystem in Poland. In her professional experience, as an Expert in the Startup Development Department at PARP, Maryla co-created, among others, the Scale UP program – the first public acceleration program connecting startups and corporations.
A gardener and a LEGO fan.
Mateusz Szymański
Junior Program Manager
Tech and innovation enthusiasts, especially those with positive social impact, Greentech, and health tech solutions. In Huge Thing, Mateusz is responsible for co-running acceleration programs. In 2022 he was co-running the 12th edition of the Google for Startups pre-acceleration program.
Previously he worked in the sales and product departments, where he was responsible for outreach activities and product communication. He’s also gained experience in project coordination and internal communication, working as a Spokesperson for Poznań’s department of NGO organization The Polish Forum of Young Diplomats. He was a co-creator of the social campaign “Paragraphs without blunder” which mission was to educate high school students about their rights.
During his spare time, he likes to read about international politics and the economy. Strategic games enjoyer. He’ll surely like to play chess with you.
Kaja Kulas
Program Manager
Kaja joined the Huge Thing team in May 2022. For several years she’s been connected with the startup ecosystem. She helps international startups in growing their businesses in Poland and across Europe.
In Huge Thing, Kaja is responsible for project management which include running educational programs for startups in their development and acceleration phase. She organizes events, workshops and trainings for the program participants. She monitors their growth and connects with partners and technology recipes. Also, Kaja takes care of relations, community building, recruitments and explorations of startups’ needs to bring them the best value of our programmes.
Before Huge Thing, she gained her experience in Poznan Science and Technology Park developing international projects funded by the European Commission. Kaja was a part of the PSTP Capital Fund and Regional Contact Point for Research Programmes of the European Union. She is passionate about travels, sports, music and dogs. Kaja is a happy “dog mom” of our team member – Nala whom you can pet while visiting us. :)
Zuza Kowala
Innovation Manager, Program Manager
Zuza joined Huge Thing in 2021. She is responsible for acceleration programs like GovTech Inno_Lab and Żabka Future Lab.
Also as Maryla, Zuza supports large organizations in processes related to innovation. That includes, among others: design of processes, innovation framework design, structuring the work of innovation teams and facilitating cooperation with startups.
Before joining Innovation Monsters, Zuza led projects at Żabka Polska, earlier connected with automotive at Volkswagen Group Polska. In Żabka, she was responsible for project management, coordinating the teamwork according to the best practice – she was looking for the best way to keep the process alive.
Zuza is also a sportaholic, innovation seeker, and book lover.
Magda Stachowiak
Project Manager
Magda joined Huge Thing in 2021. Responsible for our Gov Tech inno_Lab acceleration programs and cooperation with the public administration. She runs projects for smart city. She is also responsible for building bridges between innovators – corporations, startups and the administration.
Previously, since 2015, she cooperated on our projects for Gov Tech and corporations. Connected with the Poznań Startup Community. Experience in organizing events for the MedTech community. She worked in advertising and interactive agencies, creating brand campaigns and loyalty programs. She helped implement technologies into the organization.
Passionate about personal development, psychobiology, and supporting women in creating businesses. The creator of the projects Kobiecy Poznań Przebudzenie and Joy of Life.
Damian Wielechowski
Senior Marketing and Communication Manager
Damian manages the external and internal communications of SpeedUp Group, including Huge Thing. He joined the team in 2017 and since then has been working with business representatives, business environment institutions, public administration, media, and the academic community.
In addition to activities related to Speedup Group, Damian supports the fund’s portfolio companies in the area of marketing and PR. He has served on the jury of many competitions, including ImpactCEE, and acted as a mentor at startup events such as hackathons and Startup Weekend.
Damian is also the author of the Poznan Startup Guide and co-author of the Krakow Startup Guide, as well as organizer of many events dedicated to startups and investors.
Agnieszka Cichocka
Head of Acceleration
Agnieszka joined Huge Thing in 2021. She is responsible for our acceleration programs. She is passionate about art, technology, and gendered innovations. Previously, Director of District Hall Warsaw and Startup Development Department Manager at Incubator Starter.
Co-creator of Techseed.me technological acceleration program and the first coliving space in Poland for digital nomads.
Natalia Sadownik
Delivery Lead, Senior Program Manager
Natalia joined Huge Thing in 2019. As a Senior Program Manager, she implements acceleration and educational programs (Poland Prize, PlusJeden do Rozwoju) in line with Huge Thing’s standards.
As a Delivery Lead, she focuses on the operation of Huge Thing as an organization, financial issues, team planning, and quality of activities carried out by the company. Natalia loves to sail around Masuria and Croatia, and on gray days eats sushi and watches tennis.
Monika Synoradzka
CEO of Huge Thing and managing partner at Speedup group
Monika together with the HT team is responsible for the company’s development in startup acceleration and activities aimed at supporting organizations from the private and public sectors in their work with innovations.
She specializes in implementing innovations in organizations and building a culture of innovation in companies from various sectors. For years, she has supported the development of Poland’s startup environment.
Monika is also a Managing Partner at SpeedUp Venture Capital Group. Thanks to her knowledge and experience, she helps portfolio companies to understand the operation of large organizations and corporations and prepare to work with them. She also supports them in building business relationships.
