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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

This grant aims to help individuals and teams develop a novel, innovative business idea into a viable product (MVP) and a sustainable business model through a comprehensive incubation program. The 'Start in…' platform specifically focuses on innovative ideas within the automotive industry. It targets individuals or teams of individuals who possess a unique product innovation idea at a national level and are prepared to establish a capital company in Eastern Poland. The program provides the necessary framework and support to bring these ideas to market readiness. This is a SECTOR-SPECIFIC grant, with the 'Start in…' platform specifically targeting the automotive industry. Geographically, applicants must be willing to establish their business in one of the designated regions of Eastern Poland (Lubelskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Świętokrzyskie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie, or Mazowieckie, excluding the Warsaw metropolitan area). The program runs in successive rounds until March 2027, making it a recurring opportunity for innovators.

Financial Structure

The 'Platformy Startowe Start in…' program primarily offers non-monetary support in the form of an intensive incubation program, rather than direct financial grants for your business's general operations. Here's a breakdown:

Estimated Value of Support: The program estimates the value of the provided incubation services and support per startup to be approximately 90,000 PLN. This figure represents the cost of the services you receive, not a cash payment to you.
Direct Grant Possibility: While the core offer is in-kind support, a startup undergoing incubation may receive a grant from the Startup Platform itself. This specific grant is intended to cover the costs of specialized services that are crucial for developing your MVP and validating your business model, but which are not available directly within the platform's standard offerings. The maximum amount for this specific grant is not specified.
Cost to Applicant: Participation in the entire incubation program is free of charge for the selected startups.
Eligible Costs (for the platform's internal grant): Only costs directly related to specific, external specialized services required for MVP development and business model validation are eligible for the internal grant given by the Platform.
Financial Guarantees: Not specified as required for entry into the incubation program.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the 'Platformy Startowe Start in…' incubation program, you or your team must meet the following non-negotiable criteria:

Applicant Type: You must be an individual or a team consisting of individuals.
Business Idea: You must possess a new business idea that represents a product innovation at a minimum of national level. This means your idea should be unique and not yet widely available in Poland.
Exclusivity: You must have exclusive rights to your innovative idea. This ensures no legal disputes over intellectual property.
Previous Business Activity: Your idea must not have been, nor currently be, the subject of any existing business activity. This program is for truly new ventures.
No Duplicate Support: You cannot be simultaneously applying to or receiving support from another Startup Platform program.
Commitment to Company Formation: You must be ready and willing to establish a capital company (such as a limited liability company - 'spółka z o.o.') in Eastern Poland as part of the incubation process.
Geographic Requirement: Your newly formed company's registered office must be located within one of the following provinces of Eastern Poland: Lubelskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Świętokrzyskie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie, or Mazowieckie (excluding the Warsaw metropolitan area).
Readiness for Incubation: You must be prepared to actively work on developing your idea within an individual incubation plan provided by the platform.

Application Process

The application process for the 'Platformy Startowe Start in…' program is designed to be accessible and is structured in rounds:

Application Deadlines: Applications are accepted in multiple rounds. The latest round (Runda VII) for this specific platform closes on March 7, 2027.
Submission Method: Applications are submitted online via a dedicated portal, requiring the completion of an 'incubation application' ('wniosek inkubacyjny').
Required Documentation: Key documents include the incubation application template, a form regarding your MVP, and a presentation for the expert panel.
Application Steps:
1. Submission: Complete and submit your incubation application.
2. Expert Panel Review: If your initial application is promising, you'll be invited to present your idea to a Panel Ekspertów (Expert Panel).
3. Incubation Agreement: Successful applicants will sign an incubation agreement, officially starting their participation.
4. Individual Incubation Plan: An Incubation Manager will be assigned to you, and together you will develop and execute a tailored Individual Incubation Plan.
5. Progress Tracking: Your progress will be continuously monitored against agreed-upon milestones during the incubation period.
6. DemoDays & Final Assessment: At the end of the incubation, you'll present your developed product/service and business model at DemoDays to an Evaluating Panel.
7. Incubation Report: The Incubation Manager will prepare a final incubation report based on the evaluation, which can lead to a recommendation for further funding.
Program Duration: The incubation program typically lasts for 6 months.
Support Offered: The program provides extensive support, including expert mentorship, access to basic services (like office space, legal, accounting, and tax advisory), specialized services for product development and business model verification, and opportunities for networking within the startup ecosystem. A small grant may be provided for very specific, external specialized services if needed during incubation.

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation process for 'Platformy Startowe Start in…' is structured to identify and nurture the most promising innovative ideas. While specific scoring factors aren't detailed, the selection and progression depend on:

Innovativeness of the Idea: A core requirement is that your business idea must be a new product innovation at least at a national level. The uniqueness and potential impact of the innovation are key.
Feasibility and Development Potential: Your readiness to work on the idea's development within an individual incubation plan, and the potential to create a viable Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and a solid business model, are critical.
Commitment to Local Establishment: Your clear intent and readiness to establish a capital company in Eastern Poland during the incubation period.
Expert Panel Assessment: Ideas undergo review by a Panel Ekspertów (Expert Panel). This likely involves presentations and discussions to assess the concept's strength and the team's capabilities.
Progress Monitoring: Throughout the 6-month incubation, your progress is monitored against predefined milestones. Successful achievement of these milestones is crucial.
Final Presentation and Recommendation: At the end of the incubation, you'll present your results at DemoDays to an Oceniający Panel (Evaluating Panel). Startups with the highest scores and positive assessments from this panel receive a positive recommendation to apply for the subsequent Komponent IIa grant, indicating a high standard of performance and readiness for market entry.

Compliance & Special Requirements

This grant program has several important compliance and special considerations for applicants:

Legal Structure: A core requirement is the commitment to establish a capital company ('spółka kapitałowa') in Eastern Poland during the incubation period. This implies adherence to Polish company law and regulations.
Intellectual Property: Applicants must confirm they hold exclusive rights to their innovative idea, which is a critical aspect for IP compliance and future commercialization.
Geographic Compliance: The strict geographical requirement for establishing the new company in specific provinces of Eastern Poland (excluding the Warsaw metropolitan area) is a key compliance factor.
Innovation Focus: The program explicitly seeks ideas that are new product innovations at a national level and have not been previously commercialized, ensuring focus on early-stage, high-potential ventures.
Follow-up Funding Pathway: A unique aspect is that successful completion of this incubation program (including a positive recommendation from the evaluating panel) serves as a prerequisite for applying to Komponent IIa – Wsparcie rozwoju działalności gospodarczej startupu, a separate grant offering up to 600,000 PLN for business development and first sales. This makes the incubation a strategic stepping stone.
Industry Specificity: For the 'Start in…' platform, there's a specific focus on ideas relevant to the automotive industry, offering tailored specialized support for this sector.
Risk Management: While not explicitly detailed for this incubation phase, the subsequent Komponent IIa grant documents mention a 'Rejestr ryzyk w projektach FEPW' (Risk Register for FEPW projects), suggesting that risk identification and mitigation are important aspects of the broader program context.

Grant Details