The Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP) announces the launch of a call for EdTech startups as part of the START-UPS ARE US project. The aim of the action is to support innovative startups in gaining international experience and establishing valuable business contacts. The call is financed from the European Funds for Modern Economy (FENG) programme.

The importance of startups for the development of the economy cannot be overestimated – they contribute to the creation of new jobs and act as catalysts for innovation, introducing new products and services that change the way entire sectors of the economy operate.

Who can benefit from the support?

The aim of the START-UPS ARE US project is to integrate the startup ecosystem, intensify and develop activities for startups that are targeted and/or have the potential to scale their business (also on a global scale). The current call is aimed at EdTech startups, i.e. those that focus on creating and implementing innovative technologies aimed at improving educational processes. The competition aims to enable participants to learn about the conditions of the startup environment abroad and to establish contacts with local business support institutions and potential contractors. The program includes both a training component and missions to selected countries.

To apply for the program, a startup must meet the following criteria:

• be a micro, small or medium-sized enterprise from the EdTech industry, operating on the market for one to five years;
• conduct business activity in the Republic of Poland;
• have an innovative solution (technology, product or service) at the MVP level or ready for commercialization;
• have a business model developed that takes into account expansion into foreign markets.

What can you get support for?

As part of the program, PARP will provide support to participants in the form of providing services, covering up to 100% of the costs of participation in:

• training program implemented in the Republic of Poland;
• no more than four missions to selected countries in order to learn about the conditions of the functioning of the startup environment existing in these countries, to hold meetings and establish contacts with local business support institutions, potential contractors, including investors, and to participate in selected fairs or conferences.

How to apply?

The application for participation in the program from August 27, 2024 to September 17, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

The budget of the call is PLN 4 million, and the estimated value of support per one Participant is PLN 200 thousand.

Source: PARP