The Polish Development Fund and PFR Foundation are launching a new initiative to support the innovation ecosystem in Poland.The PFR Mentor Network is a mentoring programme addressed at start-ups and young companies who seek support in shaping their core business competences. The programme will enable them to access renowned and experienced experts in various fields, who will share their know-how and support them in facing specific challenges.
Mentors participating in the programme are successful and experienced entrepreneurs and managers. They have first-hand knowledge of the problems young companies are facing because they have been there themselves. The team of 30 mentors comprises of, among others: Jędrzej Szcześniak - co-founder of Daftcode, Kacper Winiarczyk - CEE General Manager at ofo, Joanna Drabent - CEO and co-founder of Prowly, Marcin Szeląg - Partner at Innovation Nest, Michał Pękała - VP Growth at Docplanner.com, Katarzyna Kazior - President of Frisco.pl, and Michał Borkowski - CEO and co-founder of Brainly.
“While researching the needs of young innovative companies in Poland, we noticed that despite excellent products or services, they often have trouble becoming successful in the country and abroad. In such a case, an experienced specialist with an objective perspective on the business may be able to help by pointing out the weaknesses and ways to resolve them. Therefore, we have invited a superb expert team to cooperate. They are willing to aid young start-ups in complementing their competences,” said Eliza Kruczkowska, head of the Innovation Development Department at the Polish Development Fund.
The mentors will offer their expertise in five key areas of business that most modern businesses need to address: marketing, development, creating a team, product management and investor relations. Start-ups qualified to participate in the programme will be able to consult a selected mentor several times, also in person, and find support in dealing with specific issues. A complete list of mentors participating in the programme is available at startup.pfr.pl/baza-ekspertów.
Enrolment for the PFR Mentor Network will conclude on 5th August. Start-ups interested in participation must fill in the application form, choose a preferred mentor and justify their need for mentoring. At the second stage of recruitment, the shortlisted companies will be invited for a meeting or interviewed on the phone.
The programme constitutes another PFR initiative aimed at increasing the value of the Polish innovation ecosystem by filling in the gaps in practical business education. In June this year, PFR Pioneer School commenced - an innovative educational programme addressed at individuals, the future entrepreneurs in the new technologies sector - which will include a week’s stay at the University of Cambridge in Great Britain.
PFR Foundation is the programme’s social partner. The application form is available at startup.pfr.pl/siec-mentorow, the list of experts is available at startup.pfr.pl/baza-ekspertow
“While researching the needs of young innovative companies in Poland, we noticed that despite excellent products or services, they often have trouble becoming successful in the country and abroad. In such a case, an experienced specialist with an objective perspective on the business may be able to help by pointing out the weaknesses and ways to resolve them. Therefore, we have invited a superb expert team to cooperate. They are willing to aid young start-ups in complementing their competences,” said Eliza Kruczkowska, head of the Innovation Development Department at the Polish Development Fund.
The mentors will offer their expertise in five key areas of business that most modern businesses need to address: marketing, development, creating a team, product management and investor relations. Start-ups qualified to participate in the programme will be able to consult a selected mentor several times, also in person, and find support in dealing with specific issues. A complete list of mentors participating in the programme is available at startup.pfr.pl/baza-ekspertów.
Enrolment for the PFR Mentor Network will conclude on 5th August. Start-ups interested in participation must fill in the application form, choose a preferred mentor and justify their need for mentoring. At the second stage of recruitment, the shortlisted companies will be invited for a meeting or interviewed on the phone.
The programme constitutes another PFR initiative aimed at increasing the value of the Polish innovation ecosystem by filling in the gaps in practical business education. In June this year, PFR Pioneer School commenced - an innovative educational programme addressed at individuals, the future entrepreneurs in the new technologies sector - which will include a week’s stay at the University of Cambridge in Great Britain.
PFR Foundation is the programme’s social partner. The application form is available at startup.pfr.pl/siec-mentorow, the list of experts is available at startup.pfr.pl/baza-ekspertow
