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Polish startups are changing the world. Money from PARP for innovations
– "Brand promotion of innovative SMEs" is an instrument offering support to companies that aspire to enter global markets with their product by participating in the most prestigious promotional events on Asian markets, including the EXPO Exhibition. Presence at EXPO 2025 translates into increased recognition of Polish SMEs abroad, which in turn leads to the development of their export potential. The launch of another recruitment process by PARP is a response to the needs of Polish SMEs in terms of increasing competitiveness on international markets – says Katarzyna Duber-Stachurska, president of PARP.
A few words about recruitment
The initiative is addressed to Polish enterprises with significant export potential on international markets. We are talking about both Japan itself and other countries in Southeast Asia (South Korea, selected countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ASEAN: the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia).
Support will be provided to projects of entrepreneurs who plan to participate in fairs and conference events specified in the General Promotion Program in connection with Poland's participation in the EXPO 2025 World Exhibition in Osaka, Kansai. The program was developed under Measure 2.26 Internationalization of SMEs – Brand HUB of the European Funds for a Modern Economy 2021-2027 program. More information about the above-mentioned program can be found at: https://www.gov.pl/web/rozwoj-technologia/program-promocji-expo-2025.
The aim of the recruitment is to increase the visibility of Polish brands on the international arena of Asian markets and to support their development by establishing new business contacts and building business relationships.
The program offers co-financing of up to 50% of eligible costs, and the total budget for this purpose is PLN 25 million. There is no minimum or maximum value of eligible costs. Applications can be submitted from July 23 to September 26, 2024.
The funding received can be used for:
- the applicant's participation as an exhibitor in fair events indicated in the Promotion Program;
- business travel missions for the purpose of meeting potential contractors, combined with the applicant's participation in trade fair events as a visitor or industry seminars/conferences during the mission taking place on target markets indicated in the Promotion Program;
- promotional campaigns aimed at target markets indicated in the Promotion Program;
- field trip to the Polish-Japanese Export Forum (May 20, 2025);
- field trip to the Polish-Japanese Investment Forum (September 30, 2025)
What do we require?
To take part in the recruitment "Brand promotion of innovative SMEs" for Asian markets, companies must meet, among others: criteria:
- Amount of revenue: The applicant must demonstrate net revenues from the sale of products for export in the amount of at least 20% of net revenues from the sale of goods and services;
- Type of enterprise: Participants can only be micro, small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), registered and operating in Poland;
- Expenditures on R&D activities: The applicant incurred expenditure on research and development activities or implemented product or business process innovations in the last three financial years before submitting the application for funding, which is reflected in the PNT-01, PNT-02 form submitted to the Central Statistical Office. or PNT-02u;
- Scope of activities: Funding may cover the costs of promotional activities, such as the applicant's participation as an exhibitor at trade fair events indicated in the Promotion Program.
Detailed information about the ongoing recruitment "Promotion of the brand of innovative SMEs (EXPO 2025 Japan) can be found on the PARP website: https://www.parp.gov.pl/component/grants/grants/promocja-marki-innowacyjne-msp-expo-2025 -Japan.
EXPO 2025 – what awaits us in Osaka?
A general promotion program in connection with Poland's participation in the World Exhibition EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Kansai offers the opportunity to participate in trade fair events in a significant part of Asia. One of the requirements is the entrepreneur's participation in at least one event that will be organized by Poland as part of the EXPO 2025 exhibition.
From April 13 to October 13, 2025, one of the most important international events will take place in Japan, bringing together innovative companies from around the world. The upcoming edition of EXPO 2025 will be held on the artificial island of Yumeshima in the waters of Osaka Bay in the Kansai region. It is a unique example of engineering, created specifically for exhibition and recreational purposes. Yumeshima means "dream island" in Japanese. Some of the most technologically advanced and creative projects from around the world will be there.
It is worth noting that Japan will host this event for the third time. The organizers expect 170 participants from 161 countries and regions and 9 international organizations to participate. The exhibition will be visited by over 28 million people!
EXPO 2025 will be held under the slogan "Designing the future society for our lives". It is intended to emphasize the rapprochement of nations and people through cooperation on a global scale and beyond all divisions for a good life and a better tomorrow. Its message is also intended to motivate people to think about how they want to live and how they can maximize their potential.
The event will be an opportunity to present the latest Japanese achievements to the world, including: transport. The symbol of EXPO 2025 will be flying taxis and hydrogen-powered ships, which will be used to transport tourists to the exhibition area. Moreover, it will be the first world exhibition in history during which all payment transactions will be cashless. On this basis, it can be concluded that Japan is taking a big step towards the complete dissemination of electronic payments.
More information about EXPO at: www.expo.gov.pl
Polish heritage drives the future
The Polish Pavilion at EXPO 2025 covers an area of nearly 1,000 m². Its architectural design is based on the use of wood, and thanks to arches and curves it has gained an organic form. The form of the block is intended to evoke associations with the spreading wave of creativity and innovation of Poles, unrestrained by borders. The modern and dynamic design of the pavilion is intended to attract the attention of visitors, and its architecture is to be a reflection of Poland as a country full of ingenuity and advanced technologies.
The interior of the pavilion will be full of interactive exhibitions and multimedia presentations that will show the diversity of the Polish economy, science and culture. During this unique "journey" through the exhibition, we will be accompanied by the figure of Fryderyk Chopin.
Guests will have the opportunity to see the latest achievements of Polish enterprises, universities and research institutions. The pavilion will also be a place for business meetings, where Polish companies will be able to establish new business contacts and build international relationships. The promotion of the Polish economy will focus in particular on industries that have been defined as those with the greatest export potential to Asian markets and the most priority in trade relations with Japan.