PKO Bank Polski will support innovative solutions in the field of green technologies. First edition of Poland ClimAccelerator is launched in fall

The global EIT Climate-KIC network supporting the development of climate startups is opening up to the Polish market. The call for applications for the first edition of the programme aimed at business acceleration of the most promising pro-environmental technologies from the areas of sustainable development has been launched. The programme is operated by the Accelpoint technology accelerator, with PKO Bank Polski acting as lead partner.

– We see the need to implement environmentally friendly solutions not only as a generational obligation, but also as a great opportunity to optimise the business costs. This applies both to the bank itself and to our customers who, like us, are seeking access to environmentally friendly technologies. Activities in this area are particularly important at a time when the energy crisis has exposed the vulnerability of economies to turbulence in the energy commodities market. That is why PKO Bank Polski has joined forces with the global EIT Climate-KIC network and Accelpoint and taken on the role of lead partner of the first edition of the Poland ClimAccelerator acceleration programme for start-ups. We hope that thanks to this cooperation, we will be able to better use our potential for implementing and scaling innovations in the area of green technologies and, together with start-ups, develop tools for solving timeless challenges 

- said Marcin Eckert, Vice-President of the Management Board of PKO Bank Polski, supervising the Corporate and Investment Banking Area.

What type of solutions are we looking for?

PKO Bank Polski is particularly interested in solutions in the areas of green financial products and scoring. The bank is also looking for technologies that enable or improve the measurement of clean energy supply and the optimisation of transport fleet management. With it’s internal needs in mind, as well as those of its customers, the bank is interested in cooperation with start-ups that offer services in all areas of monitoring and compliance conducive to achieving a positive climate impact.

The programme is open to technologies from a variety of sectors, such as clean energy, broad-based energy efficiency improvements, green transport, clean industry, water management and purification, green finance, agricultural improvements or decarbonisation. The full list of areas and the application form are available on the Poland ClimAccelerator programme website: www.greentech.ac.

– We encourage all pro-ecological start-ups interested in developing their technologies in close cooperation with corporate partners, acquiring new customers and investors. We are delighted to attract partners such as PKO Bank Polski, thanks to whom technologies operating on the Polish and Central European market have a chance to win conscious business customers

- emphasised Maciej Majewski, CEO of Accelpoint.

Opportunities for the green technology start-ups development

Through their participation in the 5-month accelerator programme, selected start-ups will gain access to an international investor network and a community of industry experts and mentors. In addition, the best of them will gain the chance to finance technology trials in cooperation with corporate partners (PoC), and thus the opportunity to implement their solution and acquire numerous customers.

Elements of the acceleration will also include training in presentation and optimisation of the business model, market and competition analysis and securing intellectual rights. The programme will conclude with a presentation of the best solutions in front of an international network of investors and potential business partners (Demo Day).  

The call for applications for the programme, which has just been launched, will run until 31 October 2022.

Global acceleration network reaches Poland

The ClimAccelerator accelerator network is a product of the EIT Climate-KIC, a leader in European climate innovation. The institution covers a global area with acceleration partners on the most continents. Thanks to its activities, more than 2,100 climate start-ups have secured more than EUR 2 billion in external funding.

– EIT Climate-KIC is very excited to add Poland ClimAccelerator to our offer to entrepreneurs. We are looking forward to supporting Polish pro-environmental developers and their innovative ideas with our knowledge and guidance. We would like to thank the Accelpoint and PKO Bank Polski teams for their cooperation and commitment in the pursuit of a zero-carbon, climate-resilient society

- said Christian Daube, Strategic Programmes Builder & Leader of Open ClimAccelerators around the world, Climate-KIC.

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PKO Bank Polski is the undisputed leader of the Polish banking sector, with assets valued at PLN 429 billion. In the first half of 2022, the bank achieved a net profit of PLN 1.8 billion. The company serves 11.5 million customers. It is the primary provider of financial services to all customer segments, achieving the highest market shares in deposits, loans and in the personal investment funds market. Thanks to the development of digital tools, including the IKO application, which is actively used by 6.8 million customers, PKO Bank Polski is the most mobile bank in Poland. The company is strengthening its foreign presence through corporate branches operating in Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.