Małopolska Region

Małopolska is one of the fastest-growing regions in Poland and Central Europe. At the heart of the region is Kraków — a strong academic and business centre that attracts investors and highly qualified professionals. Modern business services, the IT sector and innovative industries thrive here, creating a stable and diverse economic environment. The region’s potential is strengthened by its well-developed transport and logistics infrastructure, while the Małopolska Region continually invests in residents’ quality of life and its attractiveness to investors. It is an open, ambitious and entrepreneurial region — a place where tradition inspires the future and development goes hand in hand with care for culture and identity. Małopolska attracts approximately 29 million tourists each year, confirming its appeal.

Małopolska’s strong scientific base, numerous research and development institutions, and collaboration between businesses and universities foster innovation and high-value projects. These strengths were recognised by the European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission, which twice — in 2016 and 2024 — distinguished Małopolska as a European Entrepreneurial Region.

Małopolska is the country’s second-largest academic centre. More than 156,000 people study at 26 higher education institutions based in the region. Each year, approximately 30,000 talented graduates enter the labour market, and the proportion of graduates in technical fields is among the highest in the country. This concentration of talent — including 22,600 people employed in R&D — has long underpinned the development of knowledge-intensive services and R&D centres, and helps drive steady growth in companies’ expenditure on innovation. In 2024, this expenditure exceeded PLN 6.6 billion. In the Regional Innovation Scoreboard 2025, the Małopolska Region achieved 75.2% of the European Union average, clearly above the national average of 65.9%.

The region plays a strategic role in the development of artificial intelligence. Gaia AI Factory is being established at the Academic Computer Centre Cyfronet AGH in Kraków. It will comprise a supercomputer with the greatest computing power in Poland and teams of researchers who will help users take advantage of this technology. The factory will support startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in introducing innovations, as well as the commercialisation of scientific research.

Małopolska is also committed to developing space technologies. The region has been a member of the NEREUS Association for several years, opening the way to collaboration in international networks, the exchange of experience, and the promotion of Małopolska as a region developing space technologies.

Kraków is also a leader in the IT sector, which plays an important role in both space technology and artificial intelligence applications. More than 500 IT companies operate here, employing over 60,000 people. As many as 70% have more than 5 years’ experience, demonstrating the maturity of the workforce.

Startups can also count on a particularly favourable environment for growth. According to Startup Poland Foundation’s report Polish Startups 2024, young entrepreneurs rank Małopolska third in Poland in terms of its attractiveness as a place to do business. Małopolska startups are particularly active in health, biotech and life sciences (26%), construction and real estate (21%), and trade and e-commerce (21%). Artificial intelligence plays an important role, with as many as 44% of startups specialising in this area (Krakow Startup Report 2024, Foundation Supporting #OMGKRK).

Startups can draw on support from the regional government, which organises or supports initiatives including the #StartUP Małopolska development programme — with recruitment for its next edition starting in autumn 2026 — Pomysł na biznes, Małopolska – tu technologia staje się biznesem, and Światowy Tydzień Przedsiębiorczości w Małopolsce.

Entrepreneurs who are just starting out are not the only ones who can receive help from the Małopolska Region. Ongoing support is available from Centrum Business in Małopolska (CEBiM), whose principal task is to provide domestic and international investors with operational support at every stage of the investment process.

Significant support is also channelled through the Małopolska Region under Fundusze Europejskie dla Małopolski 2021–2027. A total of EUR 312 million has been allocated to research, development and entrepreneurship throughout Małopolska. These funds enable Małopolska businesses to invest in R&D, implementation, digitalisation, innovation, internationalisation and the energy transition.