Polish Tech | Scale 2026

About the programme

Despite the dynamic growth of the Polish tech scene, its startups are still rarely part of western ecosystems. The 2026 edition of Polish Tech | Scale brought 20 carefully selected startups to Berlin for three days of expert sessions, investor meetings, study visits, and a culminating evening at Polish Tech Night.

The programme ran in parallel with GITEX Europe Berlin (29 June–1 July 2026), so participants could extend their visit and access one of Europe's largest tech events.

It was built around four pillars:

1. Real connections — every session was built around introductions and follow-up, with a minimum of 10 documented 1-on-1 meetings per startup.
2. Access to investors — direct access to Berlin VCs, business angels, accelerators, and corporate innovation leads curated for scaling startups.
3. A stage at Polish Tech Night — funded startups received a pitch slot at Polish Tech Night (2 July) in front of 150+ founders, investors, and ecosystem builders.
4. Alumni network — entry to a growing Polish–German innovator network, a lasting resource for partnerships, co-investors, and market entry.

Programme

Every session led to introductions; every introduction was followed up. The b2match matchmaking platform was open to all participants from day one.

Day 1 · Wed, 1 July — Welcome & Workshops

• Morning: Welcome & orientation to the Berlin innovation landscape.
• Workshop: VC financing in Germany & the EU — what investors expect.
• Workshop: Cross-border cooperation — legal frameworks, IP, compliance.
• Workshop: PR & communications in the German-speaking market.
• Evening: Networking dinner — first 1-on-1 meetings on b2match.

Day 2 · Thu, 2 July — Matchmaking & Polish Tech Night

• Morning: Structured 1-on-1 matchmaking with pre-selected investors & corporates (b2match).
• Afternoon: Knowledge-exchange roundtables on market entry & fundraising.
• From 15:30: Polish Tech Night — the flagship evening at CIC Berlin & Venture Café, with 150+ attendees.

Day 3 · Fri, 3 July — Study Visits & Close

• Morning: Guided study visits to Berlin's accelerators, tech hubs, and corporate innovation labs.
• Afternoon: Closing — reflection, follow-up planning, and the alumni network.
• Optional: GITEX Europe extension — participants could arrive from 29 June to attend one of Europe's largest tech events.

Who took part

A selective cohort of 20 startups, chosen by the committee against four criteria:

• Polish roots — a Polish startup, or at least one Polish co-founder, building a product with global ambitions.
• Pre-seed to Series A — a working product with early traction, actively seeking investment, partnerships, or market entry in Germany or the EU.
• Berlin potential — a clear hypothesis for what Berlin could unlock: a specific investor, accelerator, corporate partner, or market.
• Ready to connect — committed to the full three-day programme and to following up seriously on every connection made.

What participants got

• Three days inside Berlin's innovation ecosystem at CIC Berlin.
• Expert sessions with Berlin operators — VC, legal, PR, cross-border growth.
• 10+ documented 1-on-1 meetings via the b2match platform.
• Full access to Polish Tech Night (2 July) — pitches, panels, 150+ people.
• Guided study visits to accelerators, tech hubs, and innovation labs.
• Entry to the Polish–German innovator alumni network.

Funded places

A jury of investors selected the top 5 startups during the April–May 2026 selection. They received:

• Warsaw–Berlin return travel
• Two nights in a Berlin hotel
• A pitch slot at Polish Tech Night

Speakers & experts

Sessions were led by operators and investors with direct experience in German and European markets.

• Tobias Szarowicz (Polish Tech / CIC Catalyst) — Polish startups in Berlin: first steps in the ecosystem
• Adam Formanek (Polish Tech) — Berlin's innovation ecosystem: actors, programmes, and how to connect
• Ewa Geresz (Venture Café Berlin / CIC Catalyst / Polish Tech) — Community and network as a growth factor
• Prof. Dr. Matthias Mrożewski (ESCP Business School Berlin) — Startup internationalisation: where science meets practice

Practical information

Dates: 1–3 July 2026

Venue: CIC Berlin, Germany

Programme size: 20 startups · travel reimbursed for the top 5

Application: Managed by Startup Hub Poland

Selection: April–May 2026

Language: English

Co-located with: Polish Tech Night (2 July) & GITEX Europe (29 June–1 July)

In partnership with

PAIH (Polish Investment & Trade Agency), Stiftung für deutsch-polnische Zusammenarbeit, Startup Hub Poland, and ESCP Business School Berlin.

Interested in the next edition? See Polish Tech | Scale.