The meeting will be a continuation of the discussion and an extension of the conclusions reached during the High-Level Conference of the Eastern Border Regions of the EU, which took place on June 25 and 26, 2025, in Białowieża (Podlaskie Voivodeship).

The main objective of this event will be to thoroughly assess the impact of the armed conflict in Ukraine and the ongoing hybrid war on the EU’s border regions. This is linked to the need to analyze the key challenges that this unique situation poses for the eastern border regions, as well as the obligation to develop joint responses and conclusions that will serve as a platform for cooperation on security, resilience, and development in Europe’s eastern border areas.

The conference programme includes discussions on, among other things, the content of the “White Paper on European Defense Readiness 2030” and proposals to increase defense spending. Participants will also discuss the “Pact for Eastern Border Regions” proposed by Commissioner for Cohesion and Reform Raffael Fitto, which is based on four pillars:

– I – security and defence,

– II – economic and infrastructure development,

– III – European cooperation and solidarity,

– IV – increasing resilience and crisis preparedness.

The pact aims to promote European cooperation at various levels, focusing on physical and economic security, supporting defence, rebuilding business confidence and rebranding regions affected by the decline in tourism.

The panel discussions will focus on:

– practical strategies for the development and survival of companies in the eastern borderlands,

– cybersecurity and digital transformation as the foundation of border resilience,

– technological transformation and smart specialisations to ensure the competitiveness and resilience of border regions,

– new models and sources of financing for business development and business responses to demographic and social challenges.

Among the invited guests and speakers are: Donald Tusk – Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz – Minister of National Defence, Piotr Serafin – Commissioner for the Budget, Raffaele Fitto – Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Aija Kalnaja – European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX) and many representatives of the world of politics, European institutions, business, the financial sector, the military, science and the media.

The event is organised by the Podlaskie Voivodeship and the City of Białystok.

The main content partner is Evoluma Industrial Cluster, and the partners of the Forum are the Polish Construction Cluster and the Suwałki Special Economic Zone.

The event is held under the patronage of the Ministry of National Defence. Institutional partners include the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP), the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), the Polish Chamber of Commerce (KIG) and the European Commission.

Registration and Forum programme: https://forum.investinpodlaskie.pl

INVEST IN PODLASKIE: How did the story of Prognosis begin, and what inspired you to start a business in this industry? What was the journey from idea to realization like?

Joanna Konopko, Prognosis: We founded Prognosis in 2016 by participating in the “Startup Platforms for New Ideas” program. Critical startup support enabled us to refine our ideas and build a solid foundation for the company’s development. We developed the concept at the Suwałki Science and Technology Park, where we had access to the necessary infrastructure and expert support. Our vision of creating an energy management system was born out of the need to increase energy efficiency in companies, and the Science and Technology Park provided the perfect environment to turn this idea into reality.

What is the Prognosis system?

Prognosis is not just another energy management system. It’s an intelligent solution that monitors energy consumption in real time, identifies problems, and proposes optimal solutions to reduce energy costs and increase efficiency. With key features such as continuous efficiency, cost savings generation, and comprehensive control all available in one place, Prognosis enables significant reductions in operational costs.

How does Prognosis work? How does it collect and analyze data? What tools do you use?

Prognosis makes energy management simple and accessible. It collects data directly from electricity meters at all energy consumption points in the company using our proprietary device, the Prognosis Box. The data is then uploaded to Prognosis’s cloud-based system. Customers can easily access their data via a web browser on any device with internet access, such as a computer or phone. In the Prognosis system, users can access a complete energy profile, including cost reports, energy parameters, detailed real-time energy consumption information, and optimization recommendations.

The Prognosis system enables real-time data analysis to identify areas for energy optimization. The system automatically selects optimal energy parameters by analyzing data from past periods and suggests actions to minimize power losses.

The Prognosis system is not just a tool, it’s a comprehensive solution that monitors energy consumption in real time, continuously analyzes historical data, and selects the best parameters to optimize energy consumption. We detect irregularities, minimize power losses, and offer complete control over energy costs. Our system is a complete package that monitors, predicts potential problems, and proposes corrective actions, providing a sense of security and control.

Prognosis uses advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence to analyze big data and predictive systems that monitor energy consumption and forecast potential problems, enabling better process optimization.

Which industries are of interest to you?

Our Prognosis system is not limited to a specific industry. It’s a versatile tool that can benefit many recipients, including hospitals, hotels, spas, local governments, municipalities, and manufacturing companies. Energy costs constitute a significant part of the budget in these places. Still, they often lack dedicated energy management specialists or the appropriate tools to monitor and optimize energy consumption effectively. Our Prognosis system is a perfect solution, as it acts as a virtual energy manager, helping these industries significantly reduce energy costs and increase energy resource management efficiency.

With Prognosis, businesses and institutions can significantly reduce energy costs, increase energy resource management efficiency, and ensure operations continuity without engaging extensive human resources. In many industries, such as manufacturing, energy constitutes a significant proportion of costs, and our system supports managing it, constantly monitoring the enterprise’s energy security. The potential for cost savings is substantial, offering a bright financial outlook.

What do you think are the biggest challenges in the area of energy management?

First, rising energy costs, market price volatility, and the need to ensure continuity and stability of energy supply require companies to optimize consumption to minimize expenses without negatively impacting production continuity or service delivery. Often, the problem is the lack of appropriate tools and specialized personnel who can manage this area effectively and efficiently.

Another challenge is the need for precise real-time monitoring of energy consumption, which allows for the quick detection of any irregularities, such as excessive consumption, suboptimal parameters, or system failures. With this monitoring, companies may realize they are wasting energy, which generates additional costs. Implementing solutions like the Prognosis system allows problems to be automatically detected and reported immediately, which is crucial in dynamic production or service environments.

There is also an increasing focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, especially in the context of climate change and legal regulations regarding CO2 emissions. Many companies face the challenge of meeting these standards while keeping energy costs reasonable. Implementing modern energy management tools, such as our Prognosis system, not only helps control consumption and costs but also assists companies in reducing their carbon footprint, which is becoming increasingly important.

Integrating various energy sources, including renewables, is also worth mentioning, as it requires more advanced management systems. Companies increasingly use energy from photovoltaic panels or wind turbines, which raises new challenges in balancing and distributing energy from different sources. This must be properly managed to utilize these resources optimally.

Finally, technical challenges like aging energy infrastructure can lead to failures and power losses. The Prognosis system offers tools for continuous monitoring of infrastructure status and keeps you informed of potential risks, helping you avoid significant energy shortages or failures.

Is there a case that stands out in your memory where you identified and solved a significant energy issue?

Yes, one of the most memorable cases that demonstrates the effectiveness of our system was the detection of errors in the configuration of an energy meter at one of our clients. Through precise data analysis, the Prognosis system identified irregularities in the billing method used by the energy distributor. It turned out that the client had been incorrectly billed for several years, leading to significant overpayments.

Our analysis allowed us to detect these errors and obtain invoice corrections for several years back. Ultimately, the client recovered over 100,000 PLN. This is a significant saving that highlights the importance of accurate energy monitoring and management optimization and how valuable our tools can be in identifying and correcting such issues.

Do you collaborate with other companies in the Podlaskie region?

Yes, we collaborate with many companies in the Podlaskie region that use our system to optimize energy consumption. The cooperation is going very well; we strive to operate locally and support technology development in the region. Thanks to our proximity, we can have a more personalized approach to customers from Podlasie.

You operate throughout Poland. How do you assess Prognosis’s potential to expand into other markets? What are your development plans?

I see great potential for expansion not only in the Polish market but also in foreign markets. Energy management is a global challenge, and our solutions are universal and can be implemented in different countries. However, each country has energy regulations and legal requirements, which pose a significant challenge for international expansion.

Our long-term goal is to expand into foreign markets, especially in Europe, where the demand for efficient energy management systems is growing. Although Prognosis technology is adaptable to different conditions, compliance with local regulations and laws is crucial. We plan to collaborate with local partners and experts to effectively introduce our solutions while adhering to specific legal requirements in each country. Our development strategy also includes continuously improving our technology to meet international standards and regulations.

Prognosis has received numerous awards – mainly for innovation.

From the beginning, Prognosis has focused on innovation as the foundation of our activities and development strategy. The awards we have received, such as the main prize in the international Anita Borg competition organized by Google in 2015 or the title of Best Border Technology Company in 2023, confirm that our work is heading in the right direction. In 2019, we were recognized in the Kurier Poranny and the NOT Federation of Science and Technology Associations Council, in two categories: Services/Micro Company and Young Dynamic.

Additionally, Zielony Feniks recognized our achievements in implementing eco-energy solutions in 2020, and we also received the Włócznia Jaćwingów award from the Mayor of Suwałki in the same year. In 2022, we received the CBRE Innovation of the year award for Creating the Best Value/Savings.

These awards motivate us to improve our products further and seek new solutions that introduce new quality and positively impact energy efficiency and sustainable development. Innovation is the key to success in a rapidly changing world. The awards we have received confirm that our work is heading in the right direction and that the solutions we create meet the market’s actual needs.

How do you assess the potential of the Podlaskie region? Is it a good place for innovative startups like Prognosis?

Yes, most certainly. The Podlaskie region has enormous potential as a location for innovative startups like Prognosis. The region offers many favorable conditions for the development of technology and entrepreneurship. First and foremost, Podlaskie has access to a qualified workforce, which is crucial for creating and developing modern technological solutions.

Additionally, the Podlaskie region has a growing startup and innovation community, which creates favorable conditions for networking and collaboration with other technology companies. Initiatives such as the Białystok Science and Technology Park or the Poland-East Science and Technology Park in Suwałki, where we developed our business, offer startup support through access to modern infrastructure, consulting, and acceleration programs.

Although the region may be less developed than larger technology centers, it offers unique opportunities and support essential for developing innovative projects. Collaboration with local institutions and using regional resources allow for the effective implementation and development of cutting-edge technologies in a supportive environment.

Thank you for the interview

Joanna Konopko is the founder and board member of Prognosis Sp. z o.o.. She has extensive experience in developing innovative technologies in the energy sector. She is passionate about supporting entrepreneurship and sustainable development.

INVEST IN PODLASKIE: What were the beginnings of the company? How did it all start?

Cezary Dąbrowski, CEO of Ceramika Netto: Quite ironically, because I am a doctor by education. The reality was changing in the 90s. I had achieved everything possible in medicine then and desired new business challenges. This is how the idea of dealing with tiles, initially Italian, Spanish, and Polish, came about. And so, at the turn of the century, I became Europe’s largest tiles distributor under the Cortina SA brand.

Consistency, consistency, and more consistency. It’s a huge honor and prestige. We fought for a place at the fair as an exhibitor for seven years. This year, the organizer offered us a booth of over 100 square meters. It’s a beautiful recognition of the Ceramika Netto team’s work over the past ten years. We have succeeded together; we joined the world’s leading companies. And we have an appetite for more.

What is the recipe? A bit of hullabaloo, some vision, dreams, a lot, and I mean a lot of hard work, and a cohesive team. You also have to be a demanding boss. It may be controversial, but I demand a lot from others and even more from myself by setting an example.

If you asked anyone in the company what we are guided by, everyone would unanimously say, “The measure of progress is efficiency.” We are an efficient team.

You emphasize the role of the team.

It’s the essence of success. The crème de la crème. I know I can rely on my employees; I try to be not only a boss but also a mentor to them. I support them in their career paths. Let me give you an example: just because someone works in our customer service department doesn’t mean they can’t move to another department if they discover that their calling is, for instance, production planning. We provide such opportunities in the company. I strive to make every employee feel good and appreciated because a lot depends on them. I feel responsible for them. And they understand it – I have employees in the Białystok office working with me from the beginning. It’s a delicate jigsaw puzzle with scattered crystals that must be handled gently yet consistently. I am proud of our team and believe we will create many more important things together.

What sets you apart from other tile manufacturers?

Unconventional ideas. It’s safe to say that we do not follow trends, but we anticipate and create them. The tiles we design often become trends after 2-4 years. For example, the terrazzo tiles that are everywhere now. We released this tile six years ago, and at that time, the market was not ready for it – now everyone wants it. There are many examples, such as tiles that look like grooved sheet metal. We had it eight years ago. As a manufacturer, we have the advantage of dictating the terms of what we produce rather than just responding to market demands. However, we also closely monitor market expectations. Our clients appreciate us for our timelessness and versatility. We offer so-called evergreens, designs that have been on offer continuously for many years. These are mainly provided as outsourcing production for our partners from large European and Polish factories. This cooperation has been ongoing for over ten years.

However, what distinguishes us the most from other Polish manufacturers is our independence, speed of response, dynamism, and custom-made series tailored to specific clients.

We operate more like a family business than a corporation, which is why many companies we produce tiles for have approached us, knowing that decisions in Ceramika Netto are made quickly. We can create a tile for any specific order by the stringent standards of the European Union. A client comes to us with a tile project and says he wants one for an investment. No problem – we will do everything. We take an individual approach to each customer. We are here to fulfill the “design and parameter whims” of our clients.

What role does innovation play in the development of Ceramika Netto?

We have innovative solutions in our portfolio. One is the stardust/sugar tile finish, which gives an effect similar to scattered Swarovski crystals. The name comes from the effect on the tile surface, creating the illusion of scattered crystals. This is our original design and our method of firing such a surface finish in kilns. Similarly, we were the first to introduce carvings over ten years ago. We received “European medals” for both these innovations. Another innovation we introduced is refined 3D printing with depth effect in our High Glossy tiles. The tile shows the multi-layered print and its three-dimensionality.

We constantly contact architects; we meet with them, talk, and discuss trends and industry needs. We also provide training sessions – the latest training was on the presentation of Endless tiles – these are 120×60 tiles that can be laid without joints, creating the illusion of a large-format slab. We cooperate with the Construction Cluster or the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. We also promote young architects in cooperation with the Faculty of Architecture at the Białystok University of Technology – we hold a competition for students, and the winners and runners-up, in addition to receiving awards and gaining experience, always find employment with us or collaborate with us.

What are the company’s development plans for the coming years? Are you planning to introduce new products or technologies?

As in any business, there are many development plans. I like challenges and acting contrary to what is happening in the market. It seems to me that thanks to my bold moves and the trust my team has in me, we can weather more challenging times: when the industry is in decline, we maintain a similar level as before and even grow. The last two and a half years have seen market declines of 74%. 2024 is challenging for everyone; look at the real estate market analysis. This also affects us, the manufacturers. And yet, 2024 will be one of our best years.

In response to what is happening in the domestic market, the HUB was created this year and operated by Ceramika Netto. It is the largest and only one of its kind in the European market and a pilot project on a global scale. It is an initiative and concept aimed at establishing central distribution, a trading point for the highest quality tiles from India. It is over 40,000 m² of space and 2 million m² of stock. Thanks to THE HUB, we can meet the expectations of customers across Europe and the world, so they have access to a variety of patterns, colors, and sizes in one place, with delivery within three days instead of three months and instead of paying upfront, they get factoring with a two to three-month repayment term. The ceramic tile market presents many challenges, but thanks to strategic investments like THE HUB, continuous planning and investments, and meeting the individual needs of our customers, we are very well equipped to meet both old and new challenges. Ceramika Netto certainly faces further challenges – we want to create a success story in the domestic market, but we are now focusing on foreign markets. This now accounts for 68% of our activity.

You are rooted here in the Podlaskie Region, in Białystok. How is it to run a business and invest here?

First, Białystok offers attractive conditions for entrepreneurs, such as relatively low business operating costs – compared to larger cities in Poland. Developing infrastructure: new roads, technology parks, and access to qualified employees – the city is attractive. Białystok offers excellent business and investing opportunities, but it seems our Podlaskie “kindness” is also essential. What Białystok gives us, we try to share with others – for example, by helping the Pomóż Im Foundation, which is a children’s hospice – and we encourage others to help because it is crucial now. The foundation is in the process of setting up a stationary, entirely professional hospice for children. This year, we are also focusing on Białystok volleyball, which we will be sponsoring from September. And above all, we love our city and the people living here. We were born here, we live here, we work here, we pay taxes here, and we want to contribute to the development of our city.

But the most exciting is yet to come. Because hopes and dreams are more critical than certainties and reality – “per aspera ad astra.”

Thank you for the interview

INVEST IN PODLASKIE: Grajewo, summer, 2023. WellMate is established, and you want to create a fitness/wellness app. But this is not the beginning of your journey, nor the first ambitious project you have participated in.

Karolina Ruszczyk (WellMate): Yes, that’s true. As the daughter of entrepreneurs, I have always wanted to follow in my parents’ footsteps and have been involved in various organizations since childhood. Now I see that in the startup ecosystem, there are the same people who created multiple initiatives at university and before. I think it’s a character trait that makes you want to “do things.”

The idea of starting my startup came to me quite a while ago, and in 2022, I even created an MVP of an e-commerce platform. The desire to develop as an entrepreneur led me to the MBA for Startups program at the Warsaw School of Economics, where I met my copartner, Radosław Gryta. Ultimately, I suspended my previous project to dedicate all my free time to developing WellMate.

WellMate – a fitness/wellness app, healthy lifestyle, personalization. A personal trainer and dietitian in one. Is this the starting point?

We were frustrated with the existing solutions on the market. I have been analyzing medical data for ten years. At some point, I noticed how much personal data is collected by mobile apps, smartwatches, and smartphones and how little they offer users in return. Popular mobile apps provide a set of five, ten, or even a hundred training or diet plans. However, there are 8 billion people in the world, and each of us is different, with different needs, habits, capabilities, and preferences.

We do not have ready-made plans and programs in our database. Each one is created individually for individual users, and by combining the forces of artificial intelligence and an expert (in the form of a dietitian or personal trainer), this support is one hundred percent personalized. Users who do not want or need a specific plan will also find something for themselves in the app. The app prepares reports with tips based on recorded data about meals, activities, and well-being.

An essential feature of the app is the Assistant. The user can ask for support, a recipe, an exercise, or a question. The Assistant also analyzes the user’s data and advises when it notices a drop in form, motivation, or well-being.

The fitness/wellness app market is highly competitive. It’s pretty crowded. How do you plan to stand out, and what sets you apart?

We are aware that the mobile app market in the fitness and wellness segments is a red ocean. We don’t see this as a threat but rather as an opportunity. Users often install and test new apps because the last one turned out to be a flop, so we focus on user retention.

When creating the app, we talked to 50 people with different experiences, needs, and preferences to ensure we weren’t building something completely unnecessary. The feedback we received both after the first round of interviews and after the first tests on mockups is auspicious. We discussed all suggestions, and some were implemented into the product – we listened to our users. Our solution will be personalized, easy to use, and user-friendly so that users don’t have to look for another app. We believe that WellMate will be the last fitness/wellness app they need.

We don’t want to be just a fitness/wellness mobile app – and although we know how difficult this task is, we believe that we can be associated with something more. We are already building a community around our product that focuses on physical and mental health. Most apps only care about one of these aspects, and we believe that you can’t be fully healthy by only taking care of your mind or only your body. Additionally, we want to educate our users; they can find health articles on our blog and social media, and we are also launching a series of webinars soon. All of this is to ensure that users see the actual value of our app.

You emphasize working on your AI model. Do you use your own tools and specialists?

We are developing an artificial intelligence model that will be perfectly tailored to our users’ needs. Radek and I have almost 20 years of experience working with data and software. Dr. Dorian Nowacki, the third copartner, holds a PhD in medical sciences, is a dietitian and psycho-dietitian, and supports us scientifically. Intensive work on the AI model will begin in 2025, and we plan to hire additional specialists in this field at that time and perhaps even collaborate with Polish universities.

What stage of development is WellMate at? What actions are you currently taking to bring the product to market?

In September, we are conducting tests with a closed group of users, and by the end of September/early October, the app will be available for download in Google Play and the App Store. Therefore, we are now focusing on marketing. Our website (https://wellmate.io) has a waitlist for the app (https://wellmate.io/#waitlist), where several hundred people have already signed up. We plan campaigns to create buzz around the app in the coming weeks.

Your app is aimed at a broad, international audience. Which markets do you want to conquer?

To begin with, the markets in the Visegrad region, Scandinavia, and the Baltic States. We know these markets best, and we know that people in these regions are very concerned about their health. In the future, we plan to expand across Europe, the UK, and the United States. Today’s technologies allow for quick and accurate translation of the app into different languages, and the only barrier is understanding the specifics of a given society.

How do you plan to encourage regular, long-term use of the app?

We have several ideas for this, including rewarding regular users with points and, eventually, with coupons and vouchers. However, the most important thing is that users find the app valuable and want to return to it. That’s why we listen to all the feedback and comments during tests and discussions about the app.

We want users to feel safe and comfortable using the app. Our values are clear – we talk about health positively, don’t blame ourselves for imperfections, and celebrate every victory, even the small ones, with our users. We encourage people to compare themselves to the previous day, not to other users or social media influencers. Within the app, we also create a space for exchanging experiences and feedback – we want to build a community full of health enthusiasts from around the world to support and advise each other.

What business model do you plan for WellMate?

The app will be available on a subscription model. After completing a two–week trial period, users can pay for monthly or annual access. They will also have the option to purchase additional queries for the Assistant.

In addition to the apparent technological barrier, you must overcome international legal and marketing barriers to reach end users. Do you have a plan for this?

Marketing and legal issues are the founding team’s weakest points, which is why we use external support. We work with excellent lawyers who are familiar not only with Polish law but also international law, mainly in data processing. We are 100% prepared in this area.

As for marketing, we consult all activities with specialists and test various actions to see what works and what doesn’t – we don’t want to burn the budget on campaigns that won’t bring results. Based on this, we analyze the results and plan further actions. We are open to adding another person with extensive experience, mainly with mobile applications, to the team.

Are you looking for an investor?

We are bootstrapping and creating the MVP (minimum viable product) app with our funds. We are also applying for various grants and participating in accelerators.

We have talked to many investors, and most of them are interested in the results of our launch. We will return to the talks once we have released the app, acquired our first paying customers, and analyzed the results. However, we want to cooperate with an investor who will support us substantively in various matters, so we take our time with the talks. We want to do our job correctly first, sell a valuable product, and only then focus on obtaining external funding.

The WellMate team consists of people with a set of very specific, specialized skills. From the entrepreneur’s perspective, is there a base of specialists in Poland, specifically in the Podlaskie Region, that you can draw from? Do the universities that educate them here meet the challenge?

The WellMate founding team is “scattered” all over Poland. Still, we often consult with specialists from the Podlaskie Region. Many excellent programmers, lawyers, data processing experts, dietitians, psychologists, and personal trainers are here.

We also notice a huge wave of young people who often further their education through various courses and earn certificates on their own to perform well in the job market. These individuals have incredible talent but lack confidence, mentor support, funds for additional courses, software, and conference trips.

An example of such a person is Aleksandra Radzio, an intern at the WellMate team who turned out to be a huge talent in graphic design for the app. Ola quickly integrated into the project, is proactive, and works hard—in short, she defies all the stereotypes associated with Generation Z. She comes from the Podlaskie Region.

We support Ola as much as we can, but there are many more young people like her. They need mentoring, guidance, and advice and will soon become great specialists. I am pleased to see that entrepreneurship in Eastern Poland is increasingly supported, and new programs are being launched. I hope there will be even more of these initiatives.

Finally, we traditionally ask entrepreneurs about our region. Is it worth putting down roots, investing, and developing a business here?

Absolutely! Podlaskie is a beautiful region that is very open to family businesses and, as you can see in our case, international initiatives. Thanks to various programs, the economy is developing very quickly, yet this does not disrupt the true magic of this place because only here, after tough negotiations, can you go for a relaxing walk in the Biebrza National Park.

Thank you for the interview.

INVEST IN PODLASKIE: Who is Sławomir Chodor?

Sławomir J. Chodor (VERNE): First and foremost, I am an entrepreneur, an engineer, visionary, investor, advisor, and mentor… and a graduate of the Warsaw and Wrocław Universities of Technology. Privately, I am a husband and father. And I’m a fan of a few… but no, I’ll keep that a secret. Besides that, I passionately pursue certain activities in “water” and “air.” Especially in the “water” area, I have professionally carried out and worked on developing numerous projects in Poland and abroad for many years. I can also say that I am an expert in modern technologies, particularly in the field of autonomy using AI.

I want to add a few words that touch on the professional sphere, particularly about the VERNE project. I should address a vital context and specific experiences that largely influenced the creation and implementation of the VERNE project. At the beginning of 2016, I joined the team of mentors at the newly established MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Enterprise Forum Poland Accelerator, aimed at teams with new innovative projects and startups. Incidentally, I still collaborate with this accelerator (currently START SMART CEE), but now as a so-called Judge, i.e., a Committee for Evaluating and Qualifying Startups member for subsequent editions. Working at the MIT accelerator with many teams and analyzing numerous projects, I realized that the new technologies being developed, created, or utilized and the way they are financed by private capital, particularly high-risk venture capital, represent a completely new paradigm for building and conducting business today – based on these advanced technologies.

Sławomir J. Chodor (VERNE): This context provided me with the perfect starting point to redefine my previous activities and think about creating a new product stemming from a specific vision and a new business development strategy on an international scale. This strategy is based on a technologically advanced product aimed at the commercial market, addressing new market needs and the public domain—a dual-use approach.

VERNE is a thoughtful consequence of vision and strategy and motivates us for further work. In short, what we do: we are a technology startup established in 2022 to implement a project aimed at creating a range of innovative, intelligent, zero-emission, autonomous boats used for inland transport. It offers a different version of the future, so I am convinced that working on the VERNE product and developing this venture is much more critical than focusing only on the next version of a traditional “floating unit.” We are committed to introducing innovations that emphasize lifetime value and sustainable ecological development because then we will observe a transformation in the industry that meets the urgent needs of our times. Yes, we are a young startup today. Still, we aspire to build a significant share of the global potential for sustainable development.

Verne, as Jules Verne, a pioneer of science fiction in literature and the author of travel novels, including maritime ones. Coincidence?

As a young man, I loved reading his books! Among other things, thanks to him, I became interested in sea voyages, which happened many years later. A few years ago, when thinking about implementing a new project, I intuitively knew that if I were to name it, it would be VERNE. This name is also a tribute to the visionary pioneer of exploration and discovery. Like him, we strive for ingenious innovations and realize that what seems impossible today may become an everyday reality tomorrow. Transport should do more than move from point A to point B. It should inspire and delight. And be safe. We are building VERNE in harmony with the world around us and contributing to a conscious and sustainable future in every possible way. Speaking of innovation in business, in the VERNE project, and for me, it’s all about usability – the potential for real-world application. For me, innovation is the combination of things that may seem uncombinable or easy to combine but create an entirely new helpful value. That’s what VERNE is supposed to be!

You want to introduce autonomous water taxis to the market or, more broadly, to participate in developing autonomous, low-emission water transport. This is a revolution in how we think about water traffic organization.

Especially in cities rich in waterways – and globally, that’s as much as 90% of such places! To answer the question: Yes, and yes! Specifically, we are developing this transport concept based on a specific solution – this is the role we have adopted – as an active player in this area. But is it a revolution? More of an evolution. Autonomous ferries and water taxis can operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which means they can carry more passengers and cargo than traditional units, which are limited by crew working hours. Therefore, this can open new markets for short-distance transport, such as commuting to work or urban centers.

Who can benefit from this? We can open new markets for tourism and recreational travel. The technological advancement of developing autonomous units will significantly impact the transport industry, such as logistics—and cargo transport in the Last Mile Solution area. This can lead to the creation of new businesses and services based on autonomous transport, such as the tourism I mentioned earlier—offering convenient, personalized city tours.

In economics, such an impact of one service on other markets is called enablement. The technology of autonomy, especially involving artificial intelligence, will play a significant role in planning. An example? It will enable quick route adjustments and provide flexibility to ensure a nearly just-in-time system – on demand. Therefore, in addition to the VERNE boat platform, we will offer an application for ordering on-demand transport services for residents and managing a fleet of such units – for the operator/owner. This is undoubtedly an added value of this autonomy.

 Do you use ready-made tools, or do you create your own?

After evaluating the pros and cons and analyzing various factors, we developed the software in-house with a team of excellent engineers, focusing primarily on implementing and integrating semi and full-autonomy technologies in navigation and docking. We are designing autonomous technology for inland navigation – integrated with a vision system, i.e., an autonomous control system, autonomous image recognition of the unit, and a remote monitoring and control system.

This involves algorithms for identifying and classifying waterborne objects within the learned parameters of a neural network, adapted to recognize marine objects such as floating units, marine animals, obstacles, and technology that takes the form of binary code with functionalities such as:

– collecting data from standard navigation devices like ARPA, AIS, GPS, etc., in NMEA format

– developing a maneuver to avoid collisions with waterborne objects at a distance set by the operator, and so on.

We have a very detailed scope of work in the area of Autonomy, utilizing AI, Construction, and Propulsion. Additionally, we are working on an intelligent docking system and autonomous charging for our VERNE platform.

Building and maintaining a high-class technology team is not trivial. Therefore, considering these challenges, finding the right partner for various elements is much wiser.

We thus collaborate with several partners and suppliers of ready-made components, such as the battery system and zero-emission propulsion, as well as in the area of production and assembly, taking into account factors such as expertise, quality of work, production, and scalability. In summary, our intellectual property covers the inland autonomous navigation system, propulsion, automatic docking, and the VERNE platform’s technical design.

Who could benefit from an autonomous water transport system in the long term? Individual users, institutions, businesses?

The first direction is that we can open new markets for tourism and recreational travel by offering convenient, personalized trips. The technological advancement of developing autonomous units will significantly impact the transport and logistics industry.

This could lead to developing new businesses and services based on autonomous transport.

The technology of autonomy, particularly artificial intelligence, will play a significant role in planning. It will enable quick route adjustments and provide flexibility to ensure a nearly “just-in-time – on-demand” system. Therefore, along with the VERNE platform, we will also offer an app for ordering on-demand transport services for residents and managing a fleet of such units – for the operator/owner. This is an added value of this autonomy.

VERNE is also a response to the vision of a human-friendly city! Sustainable development cannot be an end in itself, detached from residents’ lives.

Our business goal is clear: revitalizing urban waterways with water mobility solutions that reduce costs through autonomy as a service, benefiting both mobility operators and passengers. I want to mention and highlight a few main benefits of such urban transport:

Frequent departures: We eliminate waiting times for departures – a fleet of small units ensures that people never wait more than a few minutes for the next departure, providing a seamless and efficient journey.

New connections: We open new connections on inland waterways, creating shortcuts that reduce travel distances, save time, and improve connectivity in the city. This improved accessibility increases efficiency and enhances the mobility of residents and visitors in the city.

Flexibility: The VERNE mobility system is designed to adapt to changing demands. It allows for route adjustments, changes in dock locations, and unit reconfiguration, ensuring optimal service coverage and meeting the evolving needs of urban transport.

Cost efficiency: The VERNE mobility system offers cost efficiency from environmental, time, and economic perspectives. With reduced energy consumption, shorter travel times, and optimized operations, the system provides a sustainable and affordable transport solution for operators and passengers.

It’s about the possibility of choice!

 Safety is an absolute priority when it comes to autonomous road transport. Challenges, as shown by the example of taxis in San Francisco, are not lacking. Is it possible to create a system—especially in a new area like water—that guarantees safety?

You mentioned a case from the land environment. The situation is different in the water environment. We clearly differentiate these two worlds. I want to add that our and our partners’ components of autonomous navigation technology are already being tested on large passenger and transport vessels at sea. But returning to the question – I will answer with complete conviction, it is precisely thanks to the support of autonomous technology that we can say such a unit is a safe means of transport on the water! This is a crucial parameter of our operations and the company’s mission – enabling “safe autonomy for everyone” – and the key words for us are “safe” and “everyone”!

This multidisciplinary mission meets at the intersection of fields as diverse as human-computer interaction, safety engineering, computer science, human factors, and sociology. Therefore, we need to consider this multidisciplinarity when developing the autonomy model for the boat platform. Autonomy will change people’s lives.

In your opinion, is Poland ready for this revolution? Or perhaps it simply must be ready?

I look at it more broadly, globally. Every country, region, or city has its specific conditions. I have experience from my previous work in cooperation, researching the needs of potential clients, and working with the administration of various “waterfront” cities. In Poland, these are, for example, Gdańsk, Szczecin, and Wrocław. Globally, Amsterdam, Oslo, Trondheim, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and many others. To summarize, the need for innovation enters these areas to varying degrees and at different paces. A city is not a startup – you cannot plan its development from a quarterly perspective but over years, even decades. In a broader perspective, a cost today is an investment tomorrow. The direction we take is important. Rapidly developing cities and urban centers have focused on using technology and moving towards smart – but for people! The common denominator of implementing various services in this direction is comfort, well-being, and the welfare of residents. What needs to happen to modernize cities and regions to allow us to join the ranks of technologically advanced places? Dialogue and partnership! And friendly regulations. Also, making it possible for companies like ours and many other innovative firms to test new solutions for residents. Why? Because then they can develop ideas on how to use it further.

We also have some experience, benchmarks, and activities where we see changes in this long-term development of the so-called Smart City, characterizing the development of directions. Today, these are three generations of activities applied to varying degrees and in different places:

Generation 1.0 provides technology for businesses (without significant activity or involvement of local administration).

Generation 2.0 is the critical role of local city authorities in initiating changes and choosing technology (examples include Barcelona and Rio de Janeiro).

Generation 3.0 is the key role and involvement of residents in setting directions. Implemented solutions and new services are responses to their problems—focusing on thinking in terms of needs!

And this is happening! But what about Poland, our region?

Will cities like Gdańsk and other Polish cities, especially from the Podlaskie region, want to lead specific and good communication in this area and implement and test new services? Time will tell. I am close to the vision of a human-friendly place! And the cooperation model must reward cost-effective solutions.

Let’s discuss the barriers because, in this case, there are not only technological barriers but also—and perhaps primarily—legal ones. Launching a project for autonomous water transport can be a lengthy process in an international context. The mills of international institutions grind slowly.

Yes, we still have so-called legal barriers today, but in the area of autonomy in MARITIME navigation. There still needs to be an appropriate legal framework that would allow such maritime units to participate in international shipping. This is because all current maritime regulations are based on the assumption that there is a captain and a properly qualified crew on every ship. Therefore, the emergence of autonomous and unmanned maritime vessels challenges the fundamental assumptions of maritime law and international maritime law. Currently, the IMO (International Maritime Organization) is working on a non-mandatory “goal-based code” for this new type of maritime unit. The organization plans to complete this work by 2025. The plan is ambitious because it involves adapting the code’s assumptions to about 50 international conventions adopted under the auspices of the IMO, which will be affected by the emergence of autonomous and unmanned maritime vessels. However, due to the slowness of the IMO’s work in this area, we already have grassroots initiatives today, particularly in Scandinavia, where individual countries are designating areas for testing MASS boats. I will also mention Singapore and Poland because we are already making such preparations here.

As for the unit’s movement in INLAND navigation conditions – with a unit like the VERNE boat, with an autonomy level of 3.00 (i.e., under supervision), we are targeting navigation on canals, rivers, and inland lakes. Therefore, we are not limited by these maritime regulations here. We can only agree on the possibility of operating such an autonomous unit with local regulatory authorities responsible for a given body of water.

The costs of bringing such a product to market are certainly high. What financial model do you consider optimal for Verne? Is the project attracting investor attention?

We are working on a product solution that we can and want to scale globally. To fully utilize this potential, we need external financing, including grant support aimed at companies like ours. I sincerely believe that we will offer investors the opportunity to make an attractive investment of a global nature, considering the current M&A activity in the marine and deep tech markets. Therefore, in terms of potential investments, we are open to the participation of new investors or cooperation – the doors are open.

We are constantly exploring and analyzing various parameters for commercial success. In our financial model, we have assumed the solution’s margin compared to the competition. For example, we are still specifying how long it will take for the CAPEX to pay back to the client. We have already determined the most significant advantages over the competition and listed other differentiating parameters of the business model. We already have some practice in characterizing the possible barriers that other entities must overcome to create a solution analogous to ours (now or in the future). And the sales strategy – how we will generate leads, how long the sales process will last, how the company’s pipeline will shape up – we are constantly working on this.

Your first prototype is nearing completion. When will you launch it?

Yes, we are finishing integrating various components on our first unit, Verne #001 – but this is our first Proof of Concept. We will be testing it on the water in September to gather data and perform numerical analysis of various parameters to correctly assess the boat’s aerodynamic properties in terms of its stability and maneuverability in different weather conditions. Additionally, we aim to correctly evaluate the boat’s hydrodynamic properties, especially regarding hull resistance, which will help better optimize the propulsion. It is also essential to analyze the placement of the propulsion, battery system, optimal control, and the efficiency of the entire system and construction. In short, our tests aim to maximize the utility features while minimizing costs.

You come from Silesia but have anchored your company in Suwałki, the land of lakes. How do you find doing business here? Is there a future for enterprising and ambitious people in the Podlaskie Voivodeship?

There are many prospects. I found myself in Suwałki thanks to the arguments of my current investor and partner, who runs businesses in the Podlasie region. Undoubtedly, this region is very attractive in terms of nature and access to water, which is very important to me. Of course, when it came to the company’s location, we analyzed various factors affecting the development of our project. Ultimately, we made the decision. Business-wise, we have anchored at Innowacyjna Street 1.

Today, I trust it was not a bad decision and that this place and region will be a good place for our venture. A place where we can create and build an innovative business. The seat of innovation does not have to be large agglomerations or glass office buildings because innovation is about thinking outside the box. Our key team working on the project operates from various places in Poland and abroad. But as you mentioned, we consciously “anchored” in Suwałki to build infrastructure here in the long term, including planning to establish an R&D Center for Autonomy. I trust that the nature of Podlasie and the local administration will support such projects and entrepreneurs like myself, as well as others who have an impact on building the region’s position.

Have you been noticed abroad?

Despite the short period of the company’s operation, we are already contributing to the promotion of Poland, especially our region, with our headquarters here, through active participation in a number of international ventures. I will mention a few events. We were awarded and qualified for the European program “The Arch – 100 Solutions for The Planet.” Out of 250 startups from all over the EU, 100 were selected, significantly impacting sustainable development projects. Thanks to this program, we were promoted among city leaders, investors, and MEPs in Brussels. Another success was the selection of our company – one of six through selection for the URB Accelerator in Dubai, aimed at Urban Tech entrepreneurs and early-stage startups – we also received a special distinction in this program. We were also invited to participate in the Nevada Accelerator program in the USA, a program implemented in cooperation with NCBR. In Poland, we were selected along with 14 other companies (out of 45 applicants) for the accelerator in the military domain: the first program in Poland “IDA – Dual-Use Technology Innovation Accelerator,” partnered with the NATO DIANA accelerator. This is important because it confirms our business and technological potential and the impact we can have on the decarbonization of water transport, especially inland, on a global scale! Such traction would not have happened if our offer did not provide value! Additionally, we have significant interest and presence in Polish and foreign media. So we are already really promoting this region.

 Thank you for the conversation.

INVEST IN PODLASKIE: Medicine, rehabilitation, and 3D printing. These are the keywords describing Design Pro Technology. How did the company’s story begin?

Marcin Dziemianowicz, founder and CEO of Design Pro Technology: It started with my father, a doctor, instilling in me a passion for medicine and helping others. Since I started my career, I’ve been fascinated by limb prosthetics. I graduated in biomedical engineering and then became a certified orthopedic technician. I practiced in orthopedic companies and was the manager of the only Polish company producing simple, mechanical limb prostheses. I also participated in designing the first hip joint endoprosthesis solution in Poland with a regional company in Podlaskie Region. I then completed a scientific internship at Florida Atlantic University in the US. Also, I led a bionic joint project at one of the world’s largest prosthetic companies, Ossur in Iceland. My accumulated knowledge and experience have led me to develop products for the domestic Polish market. This is how the story of Design Pro Technology began.

Currently, after eight years, the interdisciplinary research team at Design Pro Technology consists of engineers, orthopedic technicians, physicians, and designers. The company designs and manufactures customized orthopedic equipment, using the latest technologies available. The main areas of the company’s activity are prosthetics, orthopedics, and rehabilitation engineering – for humans and animals. The solutions we create include prosthetic limbs, orthoses, orthotics, and cosmetic coverings.

The process of producing a prosthesis or orthosis is quite complex and requires not only specialized knowledge but also extensive consultation with experts from various fields, for example, medical or veterinary consultation at every stage of product development. How is it done in your company?

Our mission is to implement modern elements of technology into medical equipment in an innovative, but above all responsible manner. A medical or veterinary consultation is fundamental. We see the client during a single visit, while the attending physicians observe the patient over a long time and base their assessments on years of experience – they become an invaluable source of information.

We cooperate with specialized orthopedic centers across Poland. We also sell custom-made products for individual customers, also under the supervision of a professional orthopedic center. In addition, we ensure the highest level of detail in our products. We actively cooperate with academia and national research institutions, which reliably support our solutions with science. We use components from the world’s leading manufacturers.

Our machinery park provides the necessary technological support for creating innovative and safe solutions in prosthetics, orthotics, and rehabilitation engineering. And ultimately – I test the prostheses we create on myself!

You emphasize that lateral thinking, thinking out of the box, is your guiding principle. In the field of 3D prosthesis creation, this is probably an absolute necessity.

Lateral thinking is looking at a situation from a new perspective, creativity, seeing new possibilities, and reframing the problem to give it a chance to be solved with new methods. When you work with new technologies, you have to come up with new solutions; they are not to be found in books or on the Internet, no one has done it this way before. In Poland, in the various industries we enter, sometimes we have one competitor nationwide, and sometimes we have no competition at all. In the Podlaskie region, we are doing things for the first time, and systemized creativity is essential here.

It is said that in medicine no two cases are the same. Each prosthesis, orthosis needs an individual approach, and is probably also a challenge.

Exactly, we are even known for our individual products and customer approach. We believe that every case deserves our attention, and serial solutions do not always work, especially if we are dealing with a diverse, living organism. Prosthetics is the art of observation and adaptation while maintaining the intended functions. A great example of a challenge is handling animals, which is even more of a problem, because a dog, cat, horse, or skunk – yes, we had a skunk as a patient – will not tell you where it hurts or if it is uncomfortable. But we are not afraid of any challenge if it can help our clients get back on their feet or paws.

If you had to name the most important element in the development of a company in Podlaskie Region, what would it be? People? Know-how? Business idea? Business environment?

In the business of technology development, people with the right skills are the most important, because it takes years to build such competencies and they cannot be replaced in any way. We always emphasize that core competencies should remain within the company.

However, aside from the product aspect, a very important factor for the development of the company is the ability to acquire new customers and convince the market of the usefulness of the products you offer. You can have the best product, but in the end, you always have to know how to sell it.

Let’s talk about Podlaskie Region. It has been consistently changing its image in recent years – it is supposed to be a place where entrepreneurs feel good. It is supposed to be a business-friendly region. Is it?

Changing the business climate is a long and difficult process, requiring a change in investor attitudes and large foreign capital. However, the city of Białystok, as well as the entire Podlaskie region, is moving in the right direction to achieve this. There are more and more innovative projects that we can carry out based solely on Podlaskie manufacturers. Recently, one of the first procedures in Poland was performed to implant an intramedullary implant in a cat after limb amputation. The implant and instruments were made by IWET, the prosthesis was made by Design Pro Technology, and the procedure was carried out at the Boliłapka veterinary clinic – all of this happened in Białystok, and as local patriots, we can be proud of that.

You are looking for an investor and want to grow – what are your plans for the future?

Currently, we are capturing the market for animal prosthetics and orthoses, orthotics, and cosmetic coverings. We also undertake projects for individual orthopedic supplies. We plan to expand these products throughout Poland, build a strong brand position for Design Pro Technology, and then go beyond the borders. These are rapidly growing markets based on innovative technology. However, to achieve the right pace of development, an injection of cash is needed to spread our wings: acquiring customers, developing technology, conducting training, and actively participating in industry events. We would be very happy to welcome an investor on board who is proficient in acquiring new markets and developing the brand.

We are also seeking funds for the development of technology and the implementation of bionic products that have been developed in our company. These include the D-Ankle bionic ankle joint, the P-Knee bionic knee joint, and the T-Hand prosthetic hand controlled by our proprietary EMG signal acquisition system. The multi-year and multi-faceted process of developing these complex, human-body-mimicking products calls for the budget to be increased. The results so far are very promising, and the solutions are innovative on a global scale. The launch of these products will take the company to another level and allow us to join the small group of worldwide companies offering advanced bionic systems.

What would you say to people who want to invest in the Podlaskie Region or are considering it? Is it worth it?

I believe it is worth investing in the Podlaskie Voivodeship. I invite ambitious entrepreneurs to invest in our promising region. The world has become a global, technological village these days, which means there are no barriers – we can access resources anywhere on earth. Moreover, Podlaskie Region is well-connected to Warsaw (it takes 2 hours by car or train to get there from Białystok), which is the largest technological hub as well as one of the largest sales markets in Poland. The cost of living, as well as of doing business in Podlaskie Region is much lower, regional competition is smaller, and people are friendly. Additionally, the region is constantly developing and is therefore appropriately subsidized by the state and EU institutions. Furthermore, time seems to flow more slowly here, so fresh ideas for future product and business development come to mind!

Thank you for the interview.

Marcin Dziemianowicz (33 years old). He is a biomedical engineer with a medical engineering background. In 2016, he founded Design Pro Technology in Bialystok.

Mariusz Dąbrowski – Director of the Business Promotion Bureau at the Marshal’s Office of the Podlaskie Voivodeship, Magdalena Łyżnicka-Sanczenko – Deputy Coordinator of the World Expo 2025 Exhibition Team, and Łukasz Seweryński – marketing expert of the World Expo 2025 Exhibition Team, were also present at the conference.

“Podlaskie will open the Polish exhibition”

– In just a year, on April 13, we will be packing up for Expo in Osaka. It has become a tradition for the Podlaskie Voivodeship to participate in every edition of the World Exhibition. The plan is to showcase our region in the best possible light from the social, cultural, and economic perspectives. Expo is also an opportunity for our entrepreneurs to present their potential, establish contacts, and collaborate with Japanese partners – as stated by Artur Kosicki.

Although the exhibition is still a year away, preparations are in full swing. The role of the Podlaskie Voivodeship is crucial because our region will open the event in the Polish Pavilion.

– Economic and cultural communities are already involved. The programme will be rich, portraying our region in a modern, energetic, and artistic manner. We have the opportunity to open the pavilion gracefully and brilliantly – Magdalena Łyżnicka-Sanczenko said.

The Podlaskie Voivodeship’s programme will revolve around themes that connect Japan and Poland. These include an appreciation for art, physical discipline, harmony, love for nature, and deep respect for tradition. Japanese visitors will have the opportunity to witness puppetry shows, pantomime, modern dance, and handicraft workshops, all featuring artists from Podlaskie.

“Robust Economic Program”

In addition to cultural exhibitions, Podlaskie is planning an economic mission that will involve representatives from companies from the agri-food, medical, and high-tech sectors.

– During the first week of the Podlaskie exhibition in Osaka, we are organising an economic mission consisting of 30-40 individuals. These will primarily be small and medium-sized enterprises, but we will also seek funding sources for larger companies. A similar scenario unfolded during the World Expo in Dubai; it turned out a single contract secured by a mission participant exceeded the total expenses spent on regional economic promotion – as stated by Mariusz Dąbrowski.

With the interests of entrepreneurs form Podlaskie in mind, the Marshal’s Office is preparing a series of activities, including:

• An economic mission to Japan involving companies from the region,
• Presenting the specifics of the Japanese market and providing expert support to businesses interested in entering the Japanese market,
• Showcasing the potential of the Podlaskie Voivodeship to the Shokokai Employers’ Association (the largest Japanese business organisation in Poland),
• An invitation to participate in the Podlaskie Economic Forum in Białystok for representatives of the Japanese Embassy in Poland, the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), and major Japanese corporations such as Mitsubishi and Itochu.
• Promoting Podlaskie through social media channels in Japan

Even before the international exhibition, projects promoting Polish and Podlaskie participation in Expo will be realised. One of the initial activities will involve painting murals in four locations: Osaka, Białystok, Katowice, and Toruń. Additionally, regional films showcasing the virtues of the participating voivodeships will be produced for the residents of Japan.

The promotional efforts leading up to Expo 2025 do not end there. A special website will be created in both Japanese and English. Furthermore, a video spot promoting the Podlaskie economy will be recorded. Materials promoting the voivodeship will also be distributed in Japanese institutions.

Podlaskie’s delegation met with the Basque Country authorities represented by Bittor Oroz Izagirre, Vice-minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Policy. The talks concerned trade cooperation, exchange of experience in the field of agriculture and food, as well as transfer of knowledge on building regional innovation ecosystems, such as the “Agricultural Valley 4.0”. Both parties agreed to set up a working group to identify the fields of potential cooperation between Podlaskie and the Basque Country. After the meeting, Deputy Marshal Olbryś made a commemorative entry in the “Food 4 Future” visitor’s book.

During the conference, one of only two speakers from Poland was Director Mariusz Dąbrowski, who took part in the panel discussion on “Making Food Production Part of the Climate Change Solution”. At the accompanying trade fair, members of Podlaskie’s delegation had the opportunity to establish contacts and get acquainted with the latest technological solutions in the areas of food and agriculture. Additionally, the representatives of the Marshal’s Office participated in the FoodTech Innovation Awards gala at the Guggenheim Museum, visited the AZTI scientific and technological centre in Bilbao and the Basque Culinary Center in San Sebastian.

– Our agriculture deserves projects that will modernize this branch of Podlaskie’s economy, making it more innovative. Thanks to this, we will be competitive, and that will affect the quality of life of our farmers – said the Deputy Marshal. – We are an agricultural region and we must invest in the development of modern agriculture. Such powerful projects as Agricultural Valley 4.0 will certainly contribute to this end – he added.

Study visit to Israel

The first point of the meeting was a summary of the visit to Israel, which took place at the end of January this year. Mariusz Dąbrowski, Director of the Investors Assistance and Promotion Bureau at the Marshal’s Office, said that the delegation from Podlaskie, together with Marek Malinowski, member of the Voivodeship’s board, held a number of meetings with representatives of science, business and the agricultural industry. It was an opportunity for establishing business contacts, presenting Podlaskie’s economic potential, as well as learning about the factors determining the high level of innovation and good investment atmosphere in Israel.

– This is a country where 1,300 start-ups (young enterprises looking for a business model – editorial note) are created every year. 80 percent of them fail, but that does not discourage the Israelis – said Mariusz Dąbrowski.

The idea for ​​a study visit to Israel was primarily inspired by the fact that the country’s has one of the most advanced agricultural sectors in the world, also thanks to its close cooperation between science and business.

Functional food

Such cooperation was the subject of the next point of the working group’s meeting. Prof. Marcin Moniuszko, Vice-Rector for Science and Development of the Medical University of Bialystok, presented the idea of ​​creating the Podlaskie Functional Food Center under the Agricultural Valley 4.0. It is a project based on cooperation between scientists, entrepreneurs, farmers and the local government. The center conduct broad works on the development of functional food.

And what is functional food? In short, its food of natural origin that can be enhanced or modified. Apart from providing nutrients, it has positive health effects and may reduce the risk of certain disorders, especially so-called lifestyle diseases, and it can improve health and well-being. Most importantly, the positive impact of this type of food on human health must be documented by a number of scientific studies.

Prof. Moniuszko is convinced that Podlaskie, as a region with excellent organic food, healthy air and scientific facilities, could become a leader of such an undertaking in Poland. In his opinion, a certification center for such food could also be established in the region. Research confirming health effects could be conducted by the Medical University of Bialystok. – We know how to do it and we have extensive experience in the field – assured prof. Moniuszko.

Functional food is gaining more and more popularity in the world, therefore its production and distribution will certainly have a positive economic effect.

Working group

The Working Group for the “Agricultural Valley 4.0” Innovation Ecosystem is an advisory body in the implementation of the Agricultural Valley 4.0 project. Representatives of the largest universities in Podlaskie Voivodeship (University of Bialystok, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok University of Technology, International Academy of Applied Sciences in Łomża), clusters, advisory centers (Podlasie Agricultural Advisory Center in Szepietowo) and enterprises from various sectors participate in the work: agricultural machinery manufacturers (InterTech, Metal-Fach, Pronar, SaMASZ), IT industry (Infinity Group, TenderHut), agri-food companies (BioPlant Natura, Edpol Food and Innovation, Grupa Agrocentrum).

Project “Establishing institutional foundations and essential knowledge base for the Agricultural Valley 4.0 Regional Innovation Ecosystem” within Regional Operational Programme of the Podlaskie Voivodeship for the years 2014-2020.

Place: Finland [Helsinki, Tampere, Espoo, Lahti]

On 6-10 March 2023, representatives of the Podlaskie Voivodeship Marshal’s Office and expert members of the Working Group of the Agricultural Valley 4.0 Regional Innovation Ecosystem visited Finland. The aim of the study visit was to explore the Finnish start-up scene and circular economy, as well as to establish relations with representatives of enterprises, business environment institutions and local government administration.

The trip, organised by the Investors Assistance and Business Promotion Bureau, was attended by: Marek Olbryś – Deputy Marshall of the Podlaskie Voivodeship, Mariusz Dąbrowski – Director of the Investors Assistance and Business Promotion Bureau, Anna Krysztopik – Director of the Environmental Protection Department, Artur Duda – President of the Podlaskie Development Fund’s Management Board, Łukasz Owsiejko – President of the Regional Development Agency ARES S.A. in Suwałki, and Jacek Słoma – farmer and NGO activist.

On the first day of the visit, the delegation visited Platform6 Startup House in Tampere, where they learned about the local innovation ecosystem and met with representatives of Business Tampere, Nordic Startup Ventures and Red Brick Accelerator. On the next day of their stay in Finland, the delegation held a meeting in the Polish Investment & Trade Agency’s Foreign Trade Office in Helsinki and participated in Demo Day 2023, organized by Aalto Startup Centre in Espoo.

The study visit concluded in Lathi with a meeting with representatives of Lahti City magistrate and LADEC regional development agency. In addition, members of the delegation visited companies such as Salpakierto (circular economy) and Fazer (cereal and xylitol production). During the free time, the hosts from Lahti presented the ski jumping complex for the upcoming World Cup competitions.