Polish entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley

Poland at the heart of global innovation

The opening of this office is a groundbreaking event, as it is in Silicon Valley that the most important decisions are made concerning not only American but also global business.

Being here allows us to co-create global trends and influence the direction of technology development, build the image of Poland as a country of innovation and participate in talks on the security of the world and Europe - said Andrzej Dycha, PAIH’s Chairman, during the opening of the office.

It is in Silicon Valley that the largest technology companies in the world have or had their headquarters, such as: Apple, Google, OpenAI, Intel, Tesla, HP. Stanford University has a huge role in development of this location, which combines research, implementation of innovations and business.

Ambitions of Polish companies

With PAIH’s help, Polish entrepreneurs will be able to gain new customers in Silicon Valley, participate in research and development projects, and develop their products with American partners.

We want to build bridges between California and Poland. We strive for a partnership in which both parties contribute: a world-class innovation ecosystem in Silicon Valley on the one hand, and on the other - a unique Polish gene of creativity and entrepreneurship on a European scale. The presentation of Polish companies at the Startup Pitch during the TechCrunch Disrupt fair is proof of the digital ambitions and talents that make them happen. As of today, with the help of PAIH’s Foreign Trade Office in San Francisco - said Minister Michał Baranowski.

Polish technology start-ups, Polish IT and software companies, from the space, artificial intelligence, deep tech, biotechnology and medtech industries, as well as the digital games and entertainment industry and green technologies may be particularly interested in cooperation with Silicon Valley.

Meetings with the giants of Silicon Valley

The opening of the office takes place on the occasion of the TechCrunch fair. It is one of the most important events in the world for start-ups and the technology industry. It brings together investors, innovators, and business leaders.

About ten thousand people take part in the fair, and Polish entrepreneurs actively participate in it. PAIH, in cooperation with the Marshal's Office of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, jointly organized an exhibition stand, where the solutions of twenty one Polish companies, including eight innovative startups, are being promoted.

A visit to California is also a great opportunity to meet the world's technology leaders. The Polish delegation is conducting study visits to American companies. NVIDIA is a leader in artificial intelligence and graphics technologies. Oracle, on the other hand, is a giant of the industry in the area of cloud solutions and databases, supporting the digital transformation of companies, institutions and public administrations around the world.

Proven actions, real effects

Polish companies are successfully developing their operations on the US market + from electronics and medicine to games and advanced drone technologies. Thanks to cooperation with PAIH, many of them win contracts worth millions of zlotys and build lasting relationships with American partners.

Companies such as Gastop, Medcom, Diagnomatic, Reality Unit and the Farada Group show that with the right support and a well-prepared expansion strategy, Polish technologies and solutions can successfully compete with the best in the world.

For example, Gastop - a manufacturer of access control systems - has completed over twenty export agreements in the USA with a total value of PLN 4.4 million in five years. Diagnomatic - specializing in computer imaging diagnostics, increased its sales share to over 30% of global turnover in just a few years.

In turn, the Farada Group – a leader among manufacturers of vertical take-off and landing drones - is expanding its operations in Nevada and California, acquiring key partners.

This is real proof that Poland is becoming more and more recognizable overseas and that we are able to transform ambitious ideas into concrete, international successes.

How we work?

PAIH's role is to accompany entrepreneurs at every stage of the export process: from the first market analyses to the signing of contracts and the development of relationships with business partners.

PAIH’s experts support entrepreneurs in many areas, including an analysis of the export potential of a Polish product or service, and determining the most promising markets for business development. We will help you create an information package that may include, among other things, macroeconomic data, basic legal, tax, sectoral or business culture information of the local market. PAIH will help organize B2B meetings as well as business missions. Experts provide support in contacts with the public administration of the selected country. All this is to lead to the success of the Polish entrepreneur on the international arena.

PAIH's fourth location in the US

The San Francisco office joins PAIH's existing network in the United States. In the US, PAIH currently has 4 operating Foreign Trade Offices (ZBH’s).

1. ZBH New York - 85 Broad St, New York, NY 10004
2. ZBH Chicago - 155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4250, Chicago, Illinois 60606
3. ZBH Houston - 1801 Main Street, Suite 1300, Houston, TX 77002
4. ZBH Silicon Valley - 575 Market, San Francisco

Contact details for the new office

On the website paih.gov.pl in the Foreign Markets tab, addresses and contact details to all PAIH Foreign Trade Offices are provided.

You can use a dedicated e-mail box, contact to the new office is zbh.siliconvalley@paih.gov.pl.

Photo gallery:

* * *

About the Polish Investment and Trade Agency

The Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) is an advisory institution that is part of the Polish Development Fund (PFR) Group. This is the first point of contact for exporters and investors. It operates both in Poland and through its network of offices around the world. It strengthens the recognition of Polish brands on international markets, promotes domestic products and services as well as technological solutions made in Poland. The Agency helps entrepreneurs choose the optimal path of expansion abroad. It also supports the inflow of foreign direct investments to Poland and the implementation of Polish investments in the country. PAIH cooperates with the public sector and regional partners, offering, among other things: training, audit and promotion of investment properties, cooperation in the organization of business missions and communication support in the implementation of joint projects.