Start-ups, space technologies and dual-use. New cooperation agreement | Gdańsk University of Technology

The agreement sets out the intention for long-term cooperation among public institutions, the academic community and business support organisations. It aims to foster the growth of technology companies, promote the effective commercialisation of scientific research, and implement projects that strengthen the competitiveness and security of the Polish economy.

As part of this collaboration, the partners aim to develop, among other things, the Pomeranian Start-up Ecosystem run by Starter Gdańsk, the ESA BIC incubator supporting companies that use space technologies, and initiatives related to technological security and dual-use solutions. Another key project will be the Dual Use Living Lab, implemented under the NATO DIANA programme. The initiative will enable the testing and development of dual-use technologies for both civil and defence applications.

Innovation comes from collaboration

For years, Gdańsk has been proving that it is ready for the technological challenges of tomorrow.

“There can be no innovation without smart collaboration. In Gdańsk, we have been committed for years to implementing innovative solutions and building a strong ecosystem, which we perform daily through institutions such as InvestGDA and Starter Gdańsk. The letter of intent signed today with the PFR, PSEZ and our leading universities opens up completely new opportunities for entrepreneurs in Gdańsk and the Pomeranian region. From start-up incubation, through the development of space technologies, to innovative dual-use solutions – together we are building a strong, resilient and competitive knowledge-based economy. Gdańsk is ready for the challenges of tomorrow!” said Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk.

“The PFR is consistently establishing itself as a leader in the development of Poland’s innovation ecosystem. We act as a market maker, bringing together various initiatives into a coherent and complementary innovation network. Through partnerships linking business, science, and public institutions, we mobilise knowledge and capital for projects of strategic importance to building the resilience of the Polish economy. By networking the country’s potential, companies across Poland gain the tools and knowledge necessary for growth, so that ultimately – through programmes such as Innovate Poland or PFR Deep Tech – they can attract investors and scale their businesses into foreign markets,” said Piotr Matczuk, President of the Management Board of the PFR.

The new agreement strengthens cooperation among business, science and public administration – an area now considered one of the key elements in building a modern economy. The President of the PSEZ speaks about the region’s potential and the need to develop projects on a market scale:

“Today, Pomerania boasts a unique combination of resources: a strong academic community, a thriving start-up ecosystem, industrial infrastructure and efficient support institutions. The greatest challenge is no longer the creation of new technologies themselves, but their efficient implementation into the economy and transformation into sustainable, scalable business ventures. The signed agreement aims to combine the partners’ expertise so that more technologies are not only developed in Pomerania, but also mature here to reach a business scale. We are particularly focused on three areas: dual-use technologies, the space sector and advanced industry,” said Mirosław Kamiński, President of the Management Board of the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone.

Science closer to the economy and security

A key strength of the agreement is the academic support provided by the Tricity universities: the Gdańsk University of Technology, the University of Gdańsk and the Medical University of Gdańsk.

“As the Gdańsk University of Technology, we are a natural partner for this agreement, as we have for years been combining scientific research with the practical implementation of technology in collaboration with the business sector and public institutions. This is demonstrated by our activities in the field of dual-use technologies, including initiatives developed under the NATO DIANA programme. As a technical university, we bring to this partnership knowledge, research infrastructure and engineering expertise that can tangibly support security, innovation and economic development,” highlighted Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, PhD, DSc, Eng., Rector of the Gdańsk University of Technology.

For his part, the Rector of the University of Gdańsk pays attention to the systemic aspect of building market advantages based on knowledge:

“The University of Gdańsk is consistently developing its cooperation with the business and institutional communities, as it is precisely within such a model that the most valuable and responsible innovations are created today. Joint efforts by the university, local government, business and institutions supporting technological development offer an opportunity to build a strong innovation ecosystem in Pomerania – one based on knowledge, technological security and the modern skills of the future. That is why it is so important for us to support projects related to dual-use technologies, the space sector and the transfer of research results to the economy,” emphasised Prof. Piotr Stepnowski, PhD, DSc, Rector of the University of Gdańsk.

The Rector of the Medical University of Gdańsk highlights the importance of integrating different sectors, drawing on the experiences of the medical sector and applying them to the resilience of the entire economic system:

“Strengthening the resilience of the Polish economy is an area in which the Medical University of Gdańsk feels particularly motivated to work alongside the Polish Development Fund – just as in healthcare, an approach based on the transfer of knowledge between the science and research sector and the socio-economic environment is crucial for us. For decades, the Tricity has been a model of cooperation between local government, business and science, because without such proper circulation there can be no healthy organism, society or economy,” emphasised Prof. Michał Markuszewski, PhD, DSc, Rector of the Medical University of Gdańsk.

The partners have also announced plans to jointly organise business and technology events, educational programmes and networking activities to support companies in the high-tech and SME sectors.