Sustainability: governance, competence, practice. Strategies and motivations for company action – market, consumer, regulatory requirements. Green investments – in which areas? Market pressure to “go green” for large and smaller companies. Determinants of business transformation: funding, competence and staffing (where to get “green” collars from?). New values, professions and specialisations related to the sustainable economy.

Municipal waste - time for a radical change. What legal, regulatory, organisational and technical solutions do we need - their effectiveness within the target system. The deposit return scheme and extender producer responsibility - how will they change the operations of municipal waste systems? Recovery, recycling, efficiency and optimisation of waste management processes. Is the future in the development of specialised facilities? How to make the circular economy a reality?

The potential and plans for the expansion of Polish business. The impact of geopolitical turmoil and crisis-inflicted disruption on businesses’ appetite for investing abroad. State and diplomatic support.

Quality of urban life: residents’ expectations versus possibilities of cities. Can the present keep up with the future? What to invest in, what to change to keep up with changing needs. Private investors and local authorities – how to do it together? Investment and communication with residents: talk, ask or inform? How to verify expectations and communicate change?

Metropolitan Innovation Summit (MIS)

Organiser: Metropolis GZM (Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolia)

9.30 a.m. - 9.45 a.m. | Opening, welcoming of the guests (15’) 

9.45 a.m. - 10.25 a.m. | Presentation (40’)

The Art of Creative City Making

10.25 a.m. - 10.40 a.m. | Presentation (30’)

City of cities – metropolis as an administrative innovation

10.40 a.m.-11.00 a.m. | Presentation (20’)

Innovative places in the space of European metropolises

Mergers and acquisitions in economic development and in stimulating growth. The M&A market in crisis and post-crisis times; market drivers. The role of ESG criteria in investment decisions in the European M&A market. In which industries can we expect opportunities and investor activity today. Major players.

Best practices in economic cooperation between Poland and Czechia. Examples of cooperation in key and most promising industries and sectors. The barriers to the development of joint enterprises – how to overcome them? Infrastructure on both sides of the border: the needs, coordination of initiatives, joint projects. The demographics and economic factors affecting the labour market of both countries – how can these processes be utilized to the benefit of the partners? Support for SMEs on a path to international expansion – the possibilities and expected benefits.

What do consumers expect, what are they driven by? How business is responding to new consumer attitudes and buying patterns. Exchanging, sharing, co-using. Artificial intelligence is omnipresent and is inspiring shopping.

Women who are changing healthcare in Poland. What is their role in the system? How they look at building the health system. What role do they have to play?

What is holding Polish industry back on the path to modernisation? Does the state effectively support innovation in Polish companies? What changes are needed for Poland to strengthen its industrial position?
Is it a good time now to invest? What to invest in – modern machinery and technical (digital) solutions or human capital?

Hydrogen as a remedy to the climate and energy crisis – the transition fuel? Is the development of the hydrogen economy keeping pace with these ambitions? Technical and regulatory barriers, necessary changes – from a business perspective. Poland’s hydrogen strategy after the change of government. What has been achieved and what does the sector need? Hydrogen strategies of Polish companies: ambitions, plans, first achievements, cooperation. Hydrogen tempts cities: applications in public transport, housing, district heating.

AI applications in the economy – examples, experiences, tools, errors, lessons learned. Industries and business specialities where artificial intelligence can make profound and breakthrough changes. Concerns and pragmatics in dealing with AI – from tool to autonomy.

Demographic trends as a problem for the economy, public finances and the social security system. What changes will be forced by the inevitable demographic phenomena?

Presentations of innovative solutions in the area of cybersecurity, constituting the final stage of the CyberMarket competition. The event is an opportunity to learn about the most up-to-date cybersecurity products and solutions, as well as to meet and establish business contacts with companies presenting their solutions.

Presentations:

• Artur Bicki, President, Energy Logserver

• Aleksander Bronowski, GTM Manager SecureVisio, Trecom
• Dominik Hawryluk, IT Security Consultant, Trecom

• Tomasz Domalewski, Business Advisor, Axence

• Beata Mioduszewska, Member of the Management Board, Sabur Sp. z o.o.

• Andrzej Nowodworski, Deputy President of the Management Board, Chief Information Security Officer, APT Defend

• Krystian Paszek, Cybersecurity Services Manager, Dagma

• Dawid Stępień, Director, Commercial Division, Dynacon

• Michał Wendrowski, President of the Management Board, Rublon

• Tomasz Widomski, Member of the Supervisory Board, Elproma

• Adrian Żółkiewicz, Project Manager, Perceptus

Organiser: National Coordination Centre – Poland (NCC-PL) and Polskie Towarzystwo Wspierania Przedsiębiorczości (PTWP)

The potential of higher education and science from the point of view of the competitiveness of the Polish economy. Two worlds? Cooperation between science and business: universal principles, differences in interests, challenging practice, effective scenarios. Research and development activities in the strategies of companies and scientific entities. The hardest part: the commercialisation of research results. Instruments and programmes that initiate and support cooperation between companies and scientific institutions – their effectiveness to date.

Talking about science and the economy

Collaboration between business and science – why doesn’t it usually work? Good practices and models worth following

Road infrastructure in Poland. The condition of the network, its development in recent years and the elements to complete the system. Road investments in government plans and in the new EU perspective. Motorways in the system: commercial or public operator, free or toll (which tolling model). Operation of road infrastructure in Poland.

How do European funds support development? Amounts, deadlines, priority lines of action. Investment readiness of business. Economic cooperation – international and cross-border.

Scale, scope and direction of major investments in power generation and infrastructure: in Poland, in the region, in the EU. The role of the administration, state-owned companies and the private sector. Funding, support mechanisms at EU and national level, stability of the regulatory environment.

Labour market resources versus the needs of the economy. How can the gap be covered or reduced? Job activation – where are the reserves? How to increase efficiency: competence development, organisational solutions, technology, digitalisation and robotisation. Education for the labour market. 

Housing deficit – what kind of housing policy do we need? Supply and demand, market, legislation. The intended and actual outcomes of programmes available in the housing sector and lending activities. The state, local government and developers: the division of roles, quality of dialogue, standards of cooperation. Developers: their ability to create valuable space, their participation in the transformation of cities, their transparent relationship with the local community and local government.

A series of moderated conversations:
• What could the Polish local content in this investment consist of?
• Providing insurance cover for the nuclear power industry – what challenges does the Polish insurance industry face?
• Technical problems specific to the investments and the role of construction companies
• Financing of the Polish nuclear programme
• Who is interested in building SMRs in Poland? Prospects, construction costs and energy prices
• Personnel for Polish nuclear power plants

Modernisation and investment in the railway transport system – results in the form of better working conditions for freight operators? Competitiveness of the railways versus road transport – where are the reasonable solutions? A perspective on the implementation of the rail component of CPK (Central Communication Port). Investment funding from the Railway Fund. New contracts, stabilisation of procurement, long-term certainty of funding and certification of companies admitted to tenders – the industry’s recommendations to the new government. Ups and downs in procurement? What is the risk of this: price increases and missed deadlines. How to optimally plan the inflow of EU funds into the Polish railway investment market.

Political correctness, work & life balance, mental health – more and more terms and practices from the West are entering the Polish labour market. What does the introduction of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy mean and what effects will it have? Remote working and hybrid solutions as a sustainable model. How to manage divided teams effectively? Work culture, communication and relationships within the company. Effective motivation and employee benefits. Generation Z – what does the youngest generation of employees bring to the organisational culture? How to involve employees of different ages in the change process?

The most offensive technology of today is a challenge for developers, engineers, regulators and users. AI versus copyright and related rights. Directives versus practice – how do we legislate to respond to real-world challenges? How to build competitiveness while respecting personal data and privacy right? Which EU countries set the best examples in providing the conditions for the development of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies? How does Poland compare with this?

Speech (30‘) | Business Transformation Through GenAI?

Presentations of the most interesting solutions submitted in one of the five industry categories of the competition for an innovative product, technology, business model or optimised existing process. Winners of each category will be awarded the title of “Startup Challenge Winner”.

• CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT – Environment protection, technologies for climate, eco-farming, smart energy, exploitation of raw materials, waste processing

• CATEGORY: MODERN ECONOMY – industry, energetics, telecommunication, transport, construction, robotics, automation

• CATEGORY: CLIENT & LIFESTYLE – trade, customer experience, e-commerce, fintech, edutech, gaming, sports, leisure

Female and male leaders in troubled times. The role of women in business, management, economic life. Art and patronage: prestige, investment, lifestyle.

What are we doing, what should we be doing to reduce waste. What’s next for extended producer liability. Municipalities faced with increasing EU requirements (in two years’ time, more than 55 per cent of municipal waste will have to be recycled). Recovery levels achieved and what this depends on. Further requirements are on the legislative horizon (restriction of storage, amendment of the Packaging Directive). What should we focus on, what should we invest in?

E-commerce as a trendsetter in commerce. Personalisation and hyper-personalisation. Phygital, meaning the physical and digital worlds overlap – a coherent experience for customers. Artificial intelligence-based solutions – a gamechanger in e-commerce. Deliveries and returns, the magnitude of volumes in logistics. Fintechs: innovative payment solutions.

A lost decade in investment: why we ended last in the EU ranking. Major barriers holding back investment decisions. Government’s pro-investment initiatives in terms of their effectiveness. Leaders and outsiders – is business blameless? Directions and motivations for ongoing and planned investments. How to fuel them? What does business recommend to ensure that a significant increase in private investment can become a reality? How could a greater scale of investment affect the development of the Polish economy, its competitiveness and resilience?

Will Europe lose the race for innovation and investment? How does European legislation translate into the development of innovative drugs and new health technologies? Opportunities and risks in reform of EU pharmaceutical legislation and its impact on EU competitiveness in research and investment. The decline of clinical trials and its consequences. How to build a health and industrial policy ecosystem that encompasses all stages of making innovative medicines and technologies available to patients, from investment to pricing and reimbursement policy? Can a combination of science, business and regulatory change influence the future of Europe and its competitiveness with the USA and China – in the area of the Life Science Industry.

The target and current role of the Polish capital market as a source of development funds for the economy. The situation on the Polish stock market – today and in the longer term. Where is the reason for the poor attractiveness of our trading floor? Bureaucracy, over-regulation, operating costs, over-representation of state-owned companies – what deters business from the trading floor? How to rebuild the capital market and restore its core functions? The stock market versus innovation financing.

Transformation of district heating in Central European countries – EU regulations, local conditions, time pressure. Actions taken and their effects, costs and profitability, scale and nature of further investments. Which fuels for district heating to reduce the sector’s carbon footprint? Independence from imported fuels. Electrification of the sector – opportunities and threats. Financial support to investments. Heat prices – regulatory and social context.

The main challenges facing local government in the new term. What kind of development projects and investments do the new local authorities want to carry out? What about the investment programmes implemented in the previous term. Personnel of Polish self-authorities: a new deal or old hands? The major challenges facing local authorities. A new opening between local authorities and government.

Monitoring and reporting the impact of the leasing industry on the carbon footprint of the economy – regulatory requirements, company knowledge and actions. Methodology and tools for measuring the carbon footprint of assets (vehicles, machinery and equipment). Absorption of EU funds: how to leverage investment with the use of European funds? Sources of own financial contributions to EU projects – how to make the most of them? Leasing market phenomena and customer behaviour as a barometer of Poland’s economic outlook – what is escaping the statistics?

What energy storage facilities do we need in Poland? Large-scale energy storage is, for now, a song of the future. Adequate legislation is lacking, and we need it – especially so that we don’t have to switch off solar panels in the summer. What about the possibilities of local energy storage – on a smaller scale? What does the market offer and which consumers might be interested? Available technologies, costs and sources of funding, potential investors, good practice.

The revolution in non-financial reporting – the CSRD (on corporate sustainability reporting). New requirements for companies in the EU – their impact on business and company competitiveness. How to prepare for the new reality? Good ES practices – examples of actions and strategies.

The potential and plans for the expansion of Polish business – the impact of the war in Ukraine and the ensuing disruptions. Other risk factors and opportunities for mitigation. How can Polish companies investing in Europe and the world improve competitiveness, diversify their operation and build sustainable, resilient structures? New markets: Asia, Africa, South America? European business in the world and superpowers’ rivalry for supremacy.

The structure of Poland’s power generation versus energy security – what we have and what we need. State energy policy, planned regulations, financing the transition. Large-scale transformation projects – offshore, nuclear power, gas terminals, transmission grids. How to ensure stability and flexibility? Local content. What are business and investors looking for in order to engage more strongly in the transformation of the energy sector?

The analysis of the influence of science on economic development and the recognition of key challenges faced by today’s science and economy. Experts in various scientific domains and sectors of the economy will present their findings on the current stage of science adoption in economic processes. In addition to that, they will discuss key problems the solving of which will harness science for future economic development.

Metropolitan Innovation Summit (MIS)

Metropolitan path of technological, transport and spatial innovations

Organiser: Metropolis GZM (Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolia)

11.30 a.m. - 11.50 a.m. | Presentation (20’)

What can drones do for cities? Innovations in urban airspace

11.50 a.m.- 12.10 p.m. | Presentation (20’)

New urban mobility in cities and metropolises

12.10 p.m. - 12.30 p.m. | Presentation (20’)

Good examples of large scale solutions – Metrorower system/Mobility as a service

12.50 p.m. -1.00 p.m. | Q&A session (10’)

The state of economic and trade relations between Poland and Brazil. Industries and activities offering the greatest potential for growth: agri-food, chemicals; energy transition and innovation; infrastructure, waste, raw materials, utilities; engineering, automotive, hi-tech (including aerospace). Cooperation in science, education and culture – its importance for the quality of business relations. The role of institutions supporting business and stimulating development in providing the platform for cooperation between Brazilian and Polish companies. The Silesian Voivodeship and the Brazilian State of Paraná – directions for potential cooperation. Programs, activities and achievements of both regions within the framework defined by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (2030 Agenda).

Transformation: What changes and related challenges do large business organizations foresee over the next 20 years? Economy, labor market, development: how to catch up with Western European countries in two decades? Security and investments: actions necessary to make Poland a safe and attractive investment destination.

 What after oil? The fuel industry in the face of transformation. The twilight of oil – a mirage or realistic scenario? Strategies of major oil and fuel players vis-à-vis the energy transformation, business diversification. The era of new mobility. Modern petrochemicals. Diversification of supply and import directions in the Polish and European markets. Poland as a fuel hub on the regional map of Europe. Biofuels, LPG, synthetic fuels – the potential and opportunities for their utilisation.

Managing teams that are diverse in terms of generation, competence and culture. Benefits of diversity in companies: efficiency and creativity, relationships and competence, employer image. Good practices, stereotypes, problems and barriers. Where to look for help in implementing diversity into the work environment. Multiculturalism in business: challenges and benefits of collaboration in a globalised world. How can NGOs support business in adapting to this new environment? Labour activation of older people. Potential for the labour market. Tools and practices.

Metropolitan Innovation Summit (MIS)

The metropolitan path of social innovation. Local government – universities – residents

Organizer: Metropolis GZM (Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolia)

Who raises children with smartphone addiction issues? Was parents’ reaction too late? Where was, where is, and where should the school be? Pathologies on the Internet – where to set boundaries and who should guard them? The responsibility of corporate social media owners. Is the law keeping up? Regulations, control, security versus freedom of choice.

A series of moderated conversations:
• Family Office as an active investor
• Strategic or financial investor?
• International transactions of Polish companies – new challenges
• Takeover and what’s next?
• Capital market as part of M&A processes

Moving away from internal combustion trucks and vans in cities – traffic-free zones – public acceptance, alternative transport and urban transport models. Less space for cars in the city and more space for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport – factors that encourage healthy local communities and local small businesses.

The financial industry – one of the sectors of the economy that can benefit from the processing of huge data sets (big data) and the use of tools based on artificial intelligence (AI). What are customers expecting? The market as a key driver of change. New needs, new patterns of consumer behaviour. Technologies and tools for digital transformation of the financial sector. Online, cashless, contactless payments in traditional commerce and e-commerce. Identification, security, cyber threats. Digitalisation versus risk analysis. Finances versus blockchain.

• Are there universal rules to ensure success in the use of AI?
• Rise of the Machines? Myth, stereotype and fear
• How can AI affect democracy, freedom, peace, security, employment?
• Regulate but how? Ensuring safety without restricting development – what regulations and legal tools do we need?

Katowice is the first ever city from Central and Eastern Europe to be honoured with the title of European City of Science. Events, accompanying events, agendas. The role of the institution and the scientific community – the benefits for this environment. Other effects (how sustainable): involvement of residents and building of social capital, public investment in regional science and its infrastructure, impact on the image of the city and the region, boost to tourism, activation of development potential.

What does the Polish art market look like – trends, changes, interesting developments. Art as an alternative investment and a determinant of luxury. New forms of art representation – examples from public space. Development of Polish business versus development of Polish art – support, investment, patronage, opportunity for young artists.

Are properties in Poland still an attractive product for large investors and what will be the level of transaction activity in 2024? How are the returns from property investments changing, what are the alternatives and how is economic, geopolitical and financial market volatility influencing this? Core players investing safely, private investors, opportunistic investors... – who and what is buying in Poland today? Well-located logistics facilities, urban warehouses, PRS [Private Rented Sector], private dormitories... – what is and will be “hot” in the property market?

Challenges in balancing the National Electricity System in the face of changes in the generation mix. Network development and renovation are key conditions for the energy transition, not only in Poland but also worldwide. Estimated costs of grid investment for Poland and where will the funds come from. Which models of grid construction in Poland will be the most cost-effective and relevant to needs (current and future). What actions to take to speed up the process of upgrading, expanding and adapting the network to new conditions.

All customer paths lead to purchases. Not shopping but a relationship with the brand. Online, offline and e-commerce lined up. Effective communication routes. Tools and techniques of modern marketing. The post-consumer in the web of emotions – influencers and de-influencers.

The SME sector in the face of climate challenges and the Fit for 55 targets. What obligations the new EU regulations bring for small and medium-sized companies. Environment, social responsibility and corporate governance – requirements related to all ESG components. Smaller companies under pressure from the public and from large customers for their goods and services. Awareness of challenges, knowledge, tools available to reduce carbon footprint. What support do entrepreneurs expect? The role of European and national programmes, NGOs, partners and suppliers and the financial sector.

Presentations of the most interesting solutions submitted in one of the five industry categories of the competition for an innovative product, technology, business model or optimised existing process. Winners of each category will be awarded the title of “Startup Challenge Winner”.

• CATEGORY: BUSINESS PROCESSES – management, analytics, ICT, cyber security, logistics, HR

Presentations by startups:
• Katarzyna Łakińska, Founder, Flexi.pl
• Arkadiusz Legoń, Strategist, Flexi.pl
• Adrianna Lewandowska, Social Media Specialist, Flexi.pl

• Grzegorz Kuźlak, CEO, Fliko

• Adrian Mirowski, Founder, Chairman, ONYX

Development areas on the Polish construction market. EU funds and investment directions. Contract indexation – a problem still unresolved. Employer-contractor relations. Sustainability and green construction. Attention, the accumulation of investments! Are Polish construction companies in a position to implement the upcoming investments given their high volume?

Changes in investment maps – nearshoring and other business relocation trends. How will deglobalisation affect prices and production competitiveness? Poland in global supply chains. How to capitalise on the nearshoring trend and Polish strengths in the eyes of investors? Expansion of transport, border, storage infrastructure. Location and specificity of investments required. Increasing competition for investors and the impact of this on the economy, the free market. On what principles should the competition for investors take place?

Raw materials indispensable for the success of the eco-digital transformation. Their importance, location, resources, supply. International competition for access to deposits. Diversification of supply to Europe, risk of disruption, opportunities for autonomy. Closed circulation of raw materials – it has to pay off. Recycling (recovery of critical raw materials) as a prospective resource and asset for economic independence. 

Offshore wind energy – status of preparations for offshore wind farms. Costs of planned investments and the price of energy from offshore farms. Potential local content in offshore investments in the Baltic Sea. Experience of Polish companies from the construction of offshore farms in other countries.

The three faces of ESG – strategy and implementation. Sustainable business and the impact of business on climate and the environment. Social responsibility and the business environment, cooperation with stakeholders. Corporate governance, diversity management, labour standards.

– Korean investments in Poland – the current situation, plans and prospects for the future. Cooperation in the defence industry – its scale and significance for both counterparts. The reception of Korean culture in Poland and its role in fostering a good relationship between the states.

– The Polish-Japanese cooperation in the area of new technologies and the transformation of the economy and energy sector. Osaka EXPO (2025) as an opportunity for Polish companies. The impact of the EU-Japan Free Trade Agreement on Polish-Japanese economic relations.

The impact of trade on the environment – scale, potential for change, main directions. Corporate responsibility and its contemporary faces. ESG strategies in trade and across the value chain. The packaging deposit system and the circular economy (CES) as a challenge for the trade and packaging producers. Renewable energy and energy efficiency in traditional commerce and e-commerce. An informed consumer on the track of informed choices.

Transformation, climate policy and sustainability at regional and local level: good practices, obstacles and solutions. Where are we, where are we going to? Financing the energy transition at local authority level – available sources, alternatives. Necessary changes in the sphere of municipal management. Cities of the future – what will they be like?

Polish family businesses – how are they coping in the multicrisis? How to ensure sustainable and stable growth of family businesses? Family foundations – do they work and how? Management styles and models of a multigenerational business. Succession still the biggest problem for family businesses? Legal solutions to facilitate generational change in the management of family businesses.

The European gas market. Transmission infrastructure and its resilience. Security of supply, storage, diversification of destinations and suppliers. EU policy identifies gas as a transition fuel but it is also a raw material for the fertiliser industry. New market and technological trends related to the use of gas as a fuel and raw material. Should the industry already be preparing for the use of hydrogen? Possible adaptation of infrastructure to the new function.

A series of moderated conversations:
• PRSs in Poland: the role of the institutional rental sector. Regulations, demand, practice
• REITs in Poland. Why does the market need property companies with dividends? Potential benefits for smaller investors, impact on the market
• Shopping centres and parks
• Logistics, warehouses and facilities associated with the nearshoring trend

Health as one of the priorities of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council in 2025. Challenges for EU health policy in selected therapeutic areas. Health promotion and effective disease prevention. Progressive ageing of Europe vs. increasing demand for services provided by the health system.

Construction, personnel and technological potential of the Polish construction sector – how to use it skilfully? Companies that are not part of the EU market in Polish tenders. How do we ensure a fair and level playing field for European companies?

Best practices in the foreign expansion of Polish business – experiences, achievements, conclusions.

Business cooperation in the reconstruction of Ukraine: a win-win strategy for Poland and Ukraine. The role of Polish investors and contractors in the reconstruction of Ukraine. How to be ready: plans, resources, specific projects, joint arrangements. Where are we, where are the others? What action can be taken in Ukraine now?

Discussions: We are there

• A Polish company operating in Ukraine talks about the reality and its experience

Environmental relations and their communication in company strategies. False marketing claims about pro-environmental product features and green business activities: scale of the phenomenon, impact on competition. Ad hoc benefits, permanent losses – what is the risk of eco-fraud. New EU regulations to counter greenwashing practices and protect consumers against misinformation about the environmental performance of goods and services. Their implementation into the national legal systems. Implications for companies and the market. Enforcement and verification in practice – tools, responsibilities, consequences.

Higher education and science as an area of European integration – a review of recent years. Cooperation in the field of knowledge and education as an important factor in the internal cohesion of the Community. European Universities, or international partnerships – alliances of higher education institutions from across the European Union. Central European universities – their role in the project.

ICT infrastructure development in Europe and globally. Telecommunications infrastructure as a building block for the development of strategic construction, logistics and industrial projects. Proceedings for Polish frequencies under 5G. What can we look forward to? Private 5G networks for business and local government – how they work, how to apply for them. Applications and benefits: optimisation, throughput, security, support for the Internet of Things. How will 6G differ from 5G? Where will we see the first 6G deployments and what will they look like?

Development of the BPO/SSC sector in Poland. The end of simple services? More advanced services: research and development, IT. To what extent does the business services sector in Poland build value in the long term? What can the industry do to make its role in the economy more sustainable and progressive? AI as a game changer in the business services industry.

The role mineral resources in the context of energy transition and technological development. Demand prospects, resources in the world, Europe, and Poland. Directions for, and barriers to, the development of Poland's mineral sector. Investment environment – Polish or foreign investors? From exploration to exploitation – the expectations of investors vs. state policies. Investment risk management. Poland’s raw materials security.

Presentations of the most interesting solutions submitted in one of the five industry categories of the competition for an innovative product, technology, business model or optimised existing process. Winners of each category will be awarded the title of “Startup Challenge Winner”.

• CATEGORY: HEALTH & BIOTECHNOLOGY – Medicine, health, medical technologies, pharmacy, biotechnology

Polish know-how in space. Is the increase in the contribution to the European Space Agency already having a positive effect? Who should set the pace – the state or private business? Production of the Polish space industry versus other sectors. Startups and their implementations. The role of the European Agency and EU funds in the development of the sector in Poland. The importance of space technology for security and defence. What is the war in Ukraine teaching us? 

Media freedom and independence in the realities of the digital global village. Credibility versus coverage and influence. Factors defining the media situation: the development of technology, the growing importance of social media, new models of delivery, the dominance of large media corporations and bigtechs, finance and monetisation. Public media in the triangle of dependency: mission, audience, political disposer. Internet regulations. AI and deep fake – how to verify, how to defend against abuse.

Supply and deliveries of goods, products and materials in urban conditions in urban settings – status and prospects. Impact on the lives of residents and city operations, emissions generated, relevance for businesses. Zero-emission solutions in city logistics. Electrification of supplies, development of urban storage infrastructure, zero-emission cargo vehicles. Regulatory and organizational challenges. Involvement and cooperation of authorities at various levels, CEP sector actors, consumers and residents in new urban logistics solutions. The future of the urban supply market: local strategies, industry agreements, regulation, fees and incentives at central level. Examples from European cities that are leaders in this area.

Increasing tensions in economic relations as a consequence of political conflicts and economic rivalry between superpowers. Ways of regulating international disputes – sources of regulations. Mediation, arbitration, litigation – time versus cost. Actions that can be taken to minimise the risk of disputes and effectively manage litigation and arbitration. Managing and financing disputes in the process of economic expansion in distant markets. How and when to use integrated legal aid? International debt recovery. Prevention of contractual disputes.

The aim of the competition organised by the Rzeczpospolita daily and the rp.pl portal is to support and promote the achievements of companies implementing ESG projects – the main criteria are their actions in the field of sustainable development and green transition. Apart from climate issues, the evaluation criteria include wages, the safety of employees, respect for consumer rights, and corporate philanthropy. The event will reach its climax with the presentation of the “ESG Eagles” awards during a special gala held at the European Economic Congress in Katowice.

Organiser: Rzeczpospolita and portal rp.pl

What shape we are in – the resilience and mental health of society. The sum of all fears: COVID-19, war in Ukraine, inflation, fear for the future, health, job concerns, erosion of social ties, isolation (remote working), uncertain future. What kind of imprint is left in our psyche, and if and how do we deal with it? The role of public health activities, public campaigns, education. Alarming data on the mental health condition of children and young people. From causes to remedies. Prevention, diagnosis, education. The role of parents, school and therapists.

Industrial companies in a changing energy market. Demand for green energy from industrial companies versus supply. The specific situation of energy-intensive companies. Limited possibilities to connect own RES installations to the grid. Industrial plants producing energy for their own use – is it viable and profitable? Is it worth supporting this trend? Key issue of stability and security: flexibility of production processes, energy storage, hydrogen.

Electrification of transport and mobility – key areas, pace, availability and universality, regulations, barriers. Infrastructure for electromobility. To what extent are the fleets of public transport operators and the vehicle fleets of municipal authorities electrified? Vehicle prices continue to be a barrier to municipal budgets. Funding opportunities. Should we be bolder in entering the hydrogen market or, in view of the enormous costs, postpone it for the future?

It gives power and money and decides the fate of people, societies and countries. On the other hand, in the wrong hands it can be a dangerous weapon. How, therefore, do we combat propaganda and disinformation in the modern world, in a deluge of fake news and clickbait? What dangers does the development of artificial intelligence bring in this area, and what opportunities does it present (for faster verification of information)? The role of education and responsible information policy. How to support credible media?

Are more office buildings needed in Poland? What about developers’ activities? Construction costs, financing – what restricts it? Demand for offices in the next few years: forecasts and trends. Revitalisations and upgrades: how to realise the potential of existing properties? High-quality office space. How do we define the needs, functions and concepts of the workplace so that it meets the expectations of employees and industries? Examples of solutions, role of technology. Green – sustainable office: what does this mean in practice?

Demand for heat and electricity in rural areas. Biogas plants as a stable local source of heat and energy and a step towards making rural areas independent of external energy suppliers. The potential of Polish agriculture in the context of biogas. Scale of possible investments, outlays and sources of funding, network infrastructure. Regulatory support – anticipated solutions. Experience from markets where the biogas sector is fully developed.

How to secure the future of the industry in the face of raw material dependency. Which segments should we invest in? What are the prospects? Can we afford to “roll up” the chemical industry, especially nitrogen? Dependence on fertilisers is a loss of food security. Product innovation and speciality chemicals as sources of competitiveness.

Polish tax system – confusing, illegible, ambiguous. How to simplify it? Functions of the tax system (beyond budget revenue): stimulating investment and innovation – why doesn’t it work? Estonian CIT in Polish – a good idea, but spoilt. How to stimulate tax solutions beneficial to the SME sector? The tax system as a disincentive for foreign investors. Tax collectability, inevitability, grey economy, tax administration mistakes. How to restore taxpayers’ trust in the state?

Partners of the PWCyber programme represent a wide selection of cyber security products and solutions. Apart from that, they offer valuable experience from a perspective of the supplier and buyer in the supply chain. The panel will address matters concerning the NIS2 directive in terms of the security of the supply chain, best practices and the experience of Partners of PWCyber in that field, including whether certifying supply chain security management systems in cyber security is warranted.

Organiser: The Ministry of Digital Affairs of the Republic of Poland

Business on demand – cloud solutions are becoming the standard in the modern economy and management. Online company procedures and operations – how, with what and when to migrate to the cloud efficiently and effectively. Migration step by step: strategy, process, tools, benefits. Hybrid cloud – optimally and securely. Concerns, stereotypes, facts. The cloud as a key driver of digital transformation.

Poland and Ukraine – competition or cooperation? Clear rules, potential beneficiaries. Agriculture versus Polish-Ukrainian relations. Farmers’ protests and objections. What should the jointly agreed rules be about in order to work together in a win-win model and prevent crises? A large food producer just across the border – opportunity or threat for Polish processors? Ukrainian agriculture and the Polish food industry – how to build a partnership for development in practice? Ukraine in the EU – how to use the country’s agricultural potential.

Prestigious awards for the best investments in Poland. A regular project to identify the best investment practices and selecting those who have been successful in investments as a result of bold, pro-development decisions.

Awards for the most interesting solutions submitted in one of the five industry categories of the competition for an innovative product, technology, business model or optimised existing process.

During the gala, we will also announce the CyberMarket Winner.