Thematic agenda

NEW INDUSTRY. Industry 4.0, robotics, automation, production systems, new materials, and the space industry

The puzzles of the Industry 4.0 jigsaw already exist (although with a varying degree of development) – however, it is estimated that the concept of a smart factory will be fully implemented and widespread in 15–20 years. Implementation of the Industry 4.0 idea in its final form will be a complex solution based on the experience gained by many industries, including engineering, IT, robotics, automation, marketing, logistics and management. It will also have a decisive impact on the education system, a considerable impact on social life, and possibly some impact on political life as well. Who refuses to take this direction of development is likely to lose the competitive race in the longer term. The government Strategy for Responsible Development strongly promotes development of Industry 4.0 in Poland. What are our chances? What is the state actually able to offer young and dynamic companies/enterprises? To what extent do start-ups stand a chance of joining this race? What path should one follow? Should it be done on one’s own or with the help of a financial investor? Is it sensible to seek funds and co operation with the SME sector? Or, maybe, is a start-up doomed to co-operate with big corporations?

THE ENVIRONMENT. Environmental protection: technologies for climate, organic farming, smart energy, utilisation of raw materials, and waste recycling

A new philosophy of production and life, based on the principles of sustainable development, is becoming increasingly popular. On the one hand, social awareness is growing, but on the other, the stubborn ones are reminded of the necessity of respecting the environment by the increasingly tightening regulations. Today, not only social organisations, but also governments pay attention to this fundamental problem, which has been expressed in the pioneering climate agreement signed in Paris (this year’s COP24 conference will take place in Katowice). This provides much scope for start-ups – the group of recipients of their ideas can include not only companies/enterprises, but also local governments or even individual customers. It is all about mega-projects as well as solutions that can be implemented right away with little spending involved.

TRADITION & MODERNITY. Traditional industry, the energy industry, telecommunications, transport and construction

The concept of reindustrialisation of our continent, which has been implemented by the European Union, reminded us of the significance of traditional industries. Poland is following the same path. However, this is not the same industry that once was, namely energy-intensive, inefficient and overstaffed industry – today, it is an economic sector open to innovation, including new concepts and inventions. The energy industry, telecommunications and transport (including their organisational aspects) are undergoing a turbulent change and modernisation. The same is true for construction: we constantly hear about new concepts and materials being implemented. Polish industry can be seen as an attractive partner for Polish start-ups. Increasingly often, businesses actively search for noteworthy concepts being conceived at young enterprises, and they sometimes do so with the help of state institutions. Examples of this include the success of the series of Innovative Idea Workshops organised under the aegis of the Industrial Development Agency (ARP).

HEALTH & BIOTECHNOLOGY. Medicine, health, medical technologies, pharmacy and biotechnology

Do we stand a chance of becoming the world centre of biotechnology in 15 years? Yes, we do, but we need such elements as incubators, state support (changes in law, organisation, and funds), laboratory facilities, and a technology transfer system – this is what the representatives of the profession say. We will have a lot of work to do, but it is worth rolling our sleeves up because, according to business analysts, this is a sector with a very bright future. The same applies to health care, where the utilisation of modern diagnostic or therapeutic technologies is becoming widespread. Barriers to the development of concepts within the broadly defined field of Life Science often include time-consuming research and the necessity of acquiring specialist staff and huge financial outlays, as well as lengthy procedures for registration and legalisation related to the dissemination of an idea. Therefore, state support – apart from professional or financial investors – is particularly needed there.

BUSINESS PROCESSES. Management, business intelligence, ICT, cybersecurity, logistics, and HR

Every year, the Gartner Research Institute publishes a list of 10 strategic technological trends, the impact of which will be felt by the majority of organisations over the next few years. An exchange of those trends is currently progressing, both gradually and rapidly. Things that until very recently were regarded as bordering on science fiction, as was the case with Big Data or the Internet of Things – the dramatically changing production and management processes – being constantly improved today, have found their strong position in real business life. Foundations of artificial intelligence, smart apps and business intelligence, the so-called twins or event-driven architecture are all dynamically entering the arena. The importance of cybersecurity, which protects a company/enterprise against hacker attacks and corporate spying, is gaining importance. Our attention is also drawn by modern methods of incorporating logistics processes as well as staff resources-related business intelligence into the model of integrated management. Due to the constantly growing demand, the search being done without routine or barriers, and a relatively short implementation time, start-ups have a great role to play in all of those fields.

CLIENT & LIFESTYLE. Retail, customer experience, e-commerce, fintech, edutech, gaming, sport, and the leisure industry

Retail has always focused on the customer. Today, however, the contact with customers and business intelligence related to their needs are undergoing revolutionary changes, and e-commerce is penetrating more and more of the new areas that have been reserved for traditional trade for years – the latter undergoing transformations as well, for that matter. Polish start-ups have already left a beautiful mark in the category we conventionally refer to as Client & Lifestyle; today, those businesses are counted among world leaders – it will suffice to mention the gaming industry, fintech or Marketing Automation. We should note, after all, that in the case of start-up ideas within that group, it is very often possible to speak of international or even global applications for them.