On October 24, Warsaw hosted a closed-door Founders’ Dialogue meeting that brought together more than 30 representatives of Ukrainian tech businesses to discuss international growth opportunities through the lens of the Polish market. Participants explored investment, partnerships, expansion into EU markets, and opportunities for cooperation between Ukrainian and Polish companies.

The speakers included Vasyl Bodnar, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Poland; Jarosław Beldowski, First Vice-President of the Management Board of KredoBank; and Andrzej Rudka, Head of Department at the Lewiatan Confederation. The discussion was moderated by Nestor Shvets, Chief Legal Officer (CLO) at Lviv IT Cluster.

People Are the Greatest Asset of Ukraine’s IT Industry

One of the key topics of the discussion was the role of Ukrainian professionals in the development of Poland’s technology sector. Ukrainian companies and specialists are not only integrating into the Polish economy but also creating jobs, growing businesses, and contributing expertise that strengthens the local tech ecosystem.

Participants emphasized that human capital is Ukraine’s strategic advantage. Infrastructure can be rebuilt, but experienced engineers and teams that develop innovative solutions cannot be replaced quickly.

At the same time, Poland is becoming an important partner for Ukrainian tech companies serving clients in Western markets. Having a presence in an EU country helps businesses ensure service continuity, reduce operational risks, and strengthen the trust of international clients.

Poland as a Gateway to European Markets

For Ukrainian companies, entering the Polish market can be a stepping stone to scaling across the European Union. However, success depends not only on the quality of a product or service but also on understanding the local context, regulatory requirements, and business culture.

Practical recommendations for companies planning to enter Poland included finding local partners, learning from Ukrainian businesses already operating in the market, and being prepared to invest time in building relationships. Cooperation with Polish companies can help businesses adapt to European standards more quickly and jointly expand into other markets.

The speakers also noted that access to the EU Single Market does not guarantee immediate scalability. Companies need time, a clear strategy, and an understanding of each country’s specific characteristics. Even within the single market, businesses may encounter differences in technical standards and less visible barriers. Entering new markets, therefore, requires a gradual approach and adaptation to local conditions.

Shared Opportunities for Investment and Technological Development

Investment and the potential for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) were also key topics. Polish IT companies are interested in the Ukrainian market not only for opportunities to expand their businesses but also because it provides access to strong technical teams and engineering expertise. The prolonged war has also led some Ukrainian business owners to consider selling their companies, creating additional opportunities for Polish investors.

Defense and dual-use technologies are another promising area for cooperation. Ukraine’s experience in rapidly developing and adapting technological solutions, particularly in wartime, can complement the capabilities of Polish companies. Potential partnerships include technology transfer and joint manufacturing, particularly in defense development, as well as IT solutions. The next step is to turn established connections into joint projects, contracts, and manufacturing initiatives.

A Partnership That Works Both Ways

A key condition for developing Ukrainian-Polish business relations is recognizing Ukraine not merely as a recipient of support but as a full-fledged business partner. Ukrainian companies create economic value in Poland, while cooperation between the two countries opens up opportunities for joint growth, innovation, and expansion into new markets.

The speakers also highlighted the importance of presenting Ukrainian businesses in Poland in a positive, fact-based way. In public and political discourse, individual negative incidents can influence perceptions of the entire Ukrainian community. It is therefore important for businesses, experts, and opinion leaders to communicate Ukrainians’ actual contribution to the economy and the potential for further cooperation. Another area for collaboration could be supporting Ukrainian veterans in pursuing professional careers in the technology sector and facilitating their reintegration through joint projects.

Ukrainian-Polish partnerships have the potential to become a bridge between the two business ecosystems, bringing together talent, capital, and expertise to develop new technological solutions and help companies scale across Europe.

The meeting was organized by Lviv IT Cluster and LEAP EDIH in partnership with SoftServe.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.