Grant Details

https://www.parp.gov.pl/component/grants/grants/idea-global-akcelerator

Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The 'Idea Global Akcelerator' grant aims to support innovative startups, specifically micro and small enterprises, through an intensive 4-month acceleration program. Its core objective is to foster business development, facilitate investor relations, aid market entry, and support international expansion for promising ventures. The program is SECTOR-AGNOSTIC, but has preferred sectors in healthcare, technology, and sustainable energy. Target Recipients
  • Type: Startups defined as micro or small enterprises.
  • Size: Organizations operating for no longer than 5 years from registration, not stock-exchange listed, not having distributed profits, not formed through mergers or takeovers, and possessing exclusive intellectual property rights to their innovative project.
Geographic Scope
  • Project Implementation: Primarily in Poland.
  • Territorial Reach: Poland and abroad, depending on the acceleration path.
  • Specific Location Requirements:
    • Venture Capital, Technology Recipients, Go Global, Sector-agnostic: Primarily for Polish startups.
    • Poland Prize: Specifically for foreign startups aiming to enter the Polish market.
Grant Frequency
  • This is a recurring program with multiple application rounds (currently up to Round VI).

Financial Structure

The 'Idea Global Akcelerator' offers financial grants to support selected startups: Grant Amounts
  • Minimum Grant Amount (for active paths): 400,000 PLN (for Venture Capital, Technology Recipients, Poland Prize, and Go Global paths).
  • Maximum Grant Amount: 400,000 PLN.
  • Note: The 'Sector-agnostic' path, which offered a grant of up to 200,000 PLN, is currently closed for new applications.
Currency
  • All financial amounts are denominated in PLN (Polskie Złoty).
Co-financing and Matching Fund Requirements
  • The acceleration program does not require capital contribution from the startup ('Akceleracja nie wymaga wkładu kapitałowego startupu.'). This implies that the grant will cover the costs of the acceleration activities and associated support up to the maximum stated amount.
Eligible Costs
  • While specific eligible cost categories are not detailed, the grant is a 'financial grant' intended to support the development and scaling of the startup's innovative venture. It covers support for preparing the solution for cooperation, implementation, market entry, business and development consulting, dedicated mentoring, team competence building, access to contacts, and networking.
Payment Schedule and Disbursement Mechanisms
  • The specific payment schedule and disbursement mechanisms are not detailed in the provided documents. However, typical acceleration programs involve payments tied to achieving agreed-upon milestones within the acceleration period.
Financial Reporting
  • Financial reporting requirements are not explicitly outlined, but regular monitoring and support for achieving milestones are part of the program, which typically implies some form of financial accountability.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the 'Idea Global Akcelerator' program, your business must meet the following hard, non-negotiable criteria: Organizational Type and Legal Structure
  • Eligible entities are defined as startups, specifically micro or small enterprises (mikro lub małych przedsiębiorców).
  • These definitions are based on Article 22 of Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014. Key conditions include:
    • Operating for no longer than 5 years from the date of registration in the relevant register or records.
    • Not listed on a stock exchange.
    • Have not yet distributed profits.
    • Have not taken over the activities of another entrepreneur and were not formed as a result of a merger.
    • Possess exclusive intellectual property rights to the innovative venture submitted as part of the project.
Organizational Size and Capacity
  • Employee Count: Must fall under the 'micro' or 'small' enterprise categories (generally up to 49 employees for small, 9 for micro).
  • Team Requirements: Projects must be supported by a 'complete team of individuals' ('kompletnym zespołem osób'). For the 'Sector-agnostic' path (currently closed), a 'complete or almost complete team' was accepted. For 'Poland Prize' and 'Go Global' paths, an 'excellent team' is expected.
Geographic and Temporal Requirements
  • Location of Project Implementation: Projects must be realized in Poland.
  • Startup Origin: Primarily for Polish startups, but the 'Poland Prize' path specifically targets foreign startups (of any origin) wishing to enter the Polish market.
Technical Expertise and Project Maturity (Technology Readiness Level - TRL)
  • Eligibility depends on the chosen acceleration path and the maturity of your project's solution/product:
    • Venture Capital: Projects at TRL 3 (experimental proof of concept).
    • Technology Recipients: Projects at TRL 6 (technology demonstrated in a relevant environment).
    • Sector-agnostic (Currently closed): Projects at TRL 3.
    • Poland Prize: Projects at TRL 9 (actual system proven in operational environment) and implemented abroad for no more than 2 years.
    • Go Global: Projects at TRL 9 (actual system proven in operational environment) and implemented in Poland for no more than 2 years.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Enterprises that do not meet the definition of a micro or small enterprise (as per KE nr 651/2014).
  • Enterprises that have distributed profits or are listed on a stock exchange.
  • Enterprises that acquired the business of another entity or resulted from a merger.
  • Enterprises without exclusive intellectual property rights to their innovative project.

Application Process

Applying for the 'Idea Global Akcelerator' involves submitting an online application during specific rounds. Here's what you need to know: Application Deadlines and Rounds
  • The application process is conducted in multiple rounds.
  • You can submit your application during one of the following windows:
    • Round IV: April 1, 2025 – August 31, 2025
    • Round V: September 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025
    • Round VI: January 1, 2026 – May 1, 2026
  • The latest submission deadline is May 1, 2026, 23:59:59 CET.
Application Procedure and Materials
  • Submission Format: Applications are submitted online via the accelerator's platform.
  • Required Documentation: An 'Application form template' ('Wzór formularza') is available to guide you in preparing your materials.
  • Steps: The process involves filling out the application form and submitting it by the deadline.
Types of Support Offered
  • The program offers various forms of support beyond direct funding:
    • Financial Grant: Up to 400,000 PLN (or 200,000 PLN for the now-closed Sector-agnostic path).
    • Business and Development Consulting ('doradztwo biznesowe oraz rozwojowe').
    • Dedicated Mentoring ('dedykowany mentoring opiekuna projektu').
    • Team Competence Building ('podniesienie kompetencji zespołu').
    • Networking Opportunities: Access to a contact base and companies from HugeTECH partners' portfolios, as well as opportunities to present the product at events.
    • Strategic Support: Assistance with connecting with investors, preparing for first sales, adapting products, and market entry/expansion strategies.
Project Implementation and Reporting
  • Project Duration: The intensive acceleration period lasts 4 months, with the possibility of extension.
  • Key Milestones: Participants are expected to achieve key milestones throughout their individual acceleration program.
  • Monitoring and Support: The program includes monitoring and support for the implementation process of the Individual Acceleration Program.
  • Reporting Obligations: While specific reporting frequency is not detailed, progress tracking and achieving milestones imply regular updates and possibly formal reports.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications for the 'Idea Global Akcelerator' are evaluated based on the potential of the startup and its alignment with the goals of the chosen acceleration path. While a detailed scoring system is not explicitly provided, the following factors are key to success: Project Quality and Innovation
  • Solution/Product Potential: Assessment of the innovativeness, scalability, and market potential of the proposed solution or product.
  • Technological Advancement: Projects are assessed based on their Technology Readiness Level (TRL) corresponding to the chosen path (ranging from TRL 3 for early-stage to TRL 9 for market-ready).
  • Quality Management: The presence and maturity of a quality management and monitoring system are considered, with higher expectations for more advanced TRLs (e.g., 'flawless system' for TRL 9 projects).
Business Readiness and Market Analysis
  • Market Analysis: The thoroughness of market and competition analysis, particularly for the target market (Polish or international), is crucial.
  • Sales and Customer Traction: Evidence of initial sales or a preliminary customer base is important, especially for 'Venture Capital' and 'Technology Recipients' paths. For 'Poland Prize' and 'Go Global' (TRL 9), significant prior implementations are expected.
  • Growth Strategy: Projects with a clear rapid growth strategy will be favored, especially for the 'Venture Capital' path.
Team Strength and Experience
  • Team Composition: The presence of a 'complete team of individuals' (for most paths) or an 'excellent team' (for TRL 9 paths) is a strong factor, indicating capacity for successful implementation.
  • Business Experience: For 'Poland Prize' and 'Go Global' paths, extensive business experience in their respective markets (outside home country or on the Polish market) is a key criterion.
Strategic Alignment and Impact
  • Alignment with Acceleration Paths: How well the project's goals align with the specific objectives of one of the five acceleration paths (Venture Capital, Technology Recipients, Poland Prize, Go Global, or Sector-agnostic – although Sector-agnostic is currently closed).
  • Impact Expectations: While not explicitly linked to SDGs, the grant's preferred sectors ('Healthy society', 'Information, communication and geoinformation technologies', 'Sustainable energy') suggest an emphasis on projects with positive societal, technological, or environmental impact.
  • Internationalization Potential: For 'Poland Prize' and 'Go Global' paths, the potential for successful cross-border market entry or expansion is a primary evaluation factor.
Competitive Advantage Factors
  • Projects demonstrating a strong market fit, clear differentiation, and a robust plan for achieving milestones will be more competitive.

Compliance & Special Requirements

The 'Idea Global Akcelerator' program operates within specific regulatory and strategic frameworks, offering unique opportunities and considerations: Regulatory Compliance
  • SME Definition: Applicants must strictly meet the conditions for micro or small enterprises as defined in Article 22 of Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014. This is a fundamental compliance requirement for eligibility.
  • State Aid Rules: The grant operates under EU state aid regulations, as indicated by the reference to Regulation 651/2014.
Intellectual Property Policies
  • Applicants must possess exclusive intellectual property rights to the innovative venture they are submitting. This is a critical requirement for eligibility, ensuring the startup's unique ownership of its core innovation.
Risk Management Expectations
  • The program supports projects across a range of Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 3 to TRL 9), indicating a tolerance for projects at various stages of development, including early-stage (TRL 3) which inherently carry higher technical risk.
Unique Aspects and Strategic Opportunities
  • No Capital Contribution Required: A significant advantage is that the acceleration program does not require any capital contribution from the startup, making it highly accessible.
  • Five Specialized Acceleration Paths: The program's strength lies in its tailored support through five distinct paths:
    • Venture Capital: For startups seeking investment and preparing for sales.
    • Technology Recipients: For startups looking to implement their technology with business partners.
    • Poland Prize: A unique opportunity for foreign startups to enter and establish themselves in the Polish market.
    • Go Global: Dedicated support for Polish companies to expand internationally.
    • Sector-agnostic (currently closed): For general product improvement and technological advancement.
  • Mentorship and Networking: Strong emphasis on mentorship from experienced experts and access to a wide network of contacts and partners through HugeTECH.
Cross-Cutting Themes and Innovation
  • Innovation Focus: Innovation is at the core of the grant, requiring startups to present innovative ventures with exclusive IP rights.
  • Preferred Sectors: While sector-agnostic, the preference for 'Healthy society', 'Information, communication and geoinformation technologies', and 'Sustainable energy' suggests an inclination towards projects contributing to these areas.
Potential Challenges or Limitations
  • The 'Sector-agnostic' path, which might have been suitable for a wider range of early-stage innovations, is currently closed, limiting options for some applicants.
  • The strict 5-year operating limit and other conditions of the SME definition may exclude slightly older but still innovative companies.

Grant Details

startup sme acceleration business development innovation venture capital market entry international expansion go global poland prize technology transfer product development healthy society ict geoinformation sustainable energy mentorship networking financial grant tr-l3 tr-l6 tr-l9 poland europe startup funding micro enterprise small enterprise intellectual property early stage growth stage mature stage polish market foreign market business support capacity building
Idea Global Akcelerator - Startup Acceleration Program
Idea Global Akcelerator
Polska Agencja Rozwoju Przedsiębiorczości (PARP) Accelerator Programs
STARTUP SME
PL
HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGY ENERGY OTHER
IDEA DEVELOPMENT EARLY_MARKET GROWTH
0-10 11-50
SDG3 SDG7 SDG8 SDG9
FUNDING MENTORSHIP NETWORKING TRAINING_EDUCATION CAPACITY_BUILDING INNOVATION_COMMERCIALIZATION MARKET_EXPANSION OPERATIONAL_SUPPORT
False
None
400000.00
400000.00
PLN
100.00
May 1, 2026, 9:59 p.m.
Not specified