From Science to Business. Innovation Lighthouses and the PKB+ Anniversary at Gdańsk Tech
How to transform scientific research results into technologies that conquer global markets? What makes innovative companies achieve international success and how to apply these experiences in Pomerania? Participants of the economic debate, which will be held on October 23 at Gdańsk Tech with the participation of representatives of science and business from the Baltic Sea region, will seek answers to these questions. On this day, the Polytechnic Business Club PKB+ will also celebrate its 25th anniversary. On this occasion, a ceremonial gala will take place, during which the "Lighthouses of Innovation" awards will be presented for the first time.
How to transform scientific research results into technologies that conquer global markets? What makes innovative companies achieve international success and how to apply these experiences in Pomerania? Participants of the economic debate, which will be held on October 23 at Gdańsk Tech with the participation of representatives of science and business from the Baltic Sea region, will seek answers to these questions. On this day, the Polytechnic Business Club PKB+ will also celebrate its 25th anniversary. On this occasion, a ceremonial gala will take place, during which the "Lighthouses of Innovation" awards will be presented for the first time.
The debate “Innovation Beacons of the Baltic Sea Region” is the third and final meeting this year in the series “Pomeranian Voivodeship as a Pole of Development of Poland in the Baltic Sea Region,” initiated by the Economic Advisory Team to the Rector of Gdańsk Tech.
The previous debates focused on the energy transition and the infrastructure necessary for the development of new economic sectors. This time, the spotlight will be on companies that have successfully progressed from scientific research to the commercialization of innovative technologies and international success.
Leaders from four Scandinavian companies—Steady Energy, Polar Night Energy, and IQM from Finland, as well as Copenhagen Atomics from Denmark—will share their experiences. Their activities include small nuclear reactors, thermal energy storage, and quantum computers. Representatives of Pomeranian companies SpaceForest and ASE GROUP will also participate in the debate, discussing the implementation of innovative solutions in Polish conditions.
The aim of the meeting is not only to present new technologies but mainly to discuss how to create favorable conditions in Pomerania for the development of innovative companies, cooperation between science and business, and effective commercialization of research results.
Innovation Beacons – awards that indicate the direction
Immediately after the debate, a ceremonial gala will take place, during which the Rector of Gdańsk Tech, Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, will for the first time present Special Awards and the titles “Signum Innovationis” (Innovation Beacons) to four Scandinavian companies. The awards will be given to firms whose founders originate from the academic environment and have successfully transformed scientific research outcomes into technologies used in international markets.
The award aims not only to recognize entrepreneurs' achievements but also to inspire scientists and companies to undertake bold technological initiatives. Its symbol is a lighthouse from the facade of the Main Building of Gdańsk Tech, which is replicated by the “Signum Innovationis” statuette.
“The lighthouse is an excellent symbol of development policy. It does not follow the ship. It does not steer it. It indicates the direction. It shows dangers and allows safely finding the way to the port. Enterprises and research teams acting as ‘Innovation Beacons’ should indicate new areas of technological development and the path from innovative solutions to their commercialization,” emphasizes PhD Zbigniew Canowiecki, Chair of the Economic Advisory Team to the Rector of Gdańsk Tech.
25 years of connecting science and business
The second important point of the gala will be the 25th anniversary of the Polytechnic Business Club PKB+, operating within the structure of the Gdańsk Tech Alumni Association.
For a quarter of a century, the Club has integrated entrepreneurs, managers, and economic leaders affiliated with the university, creating a space for exchanging experiences, developing contacts, and fostering cooperation between the academic community and business. The anniversary will be an opportunity to summarize these activities and emphasize the role of Gdańsk Tech alumni in the economic development of the region.
Both events share a common idea: an innovative economy arises where scientific knowledge meets entrepreneurship, experience, and courage in implementing new solutions.
The main partner of the event is Port Gdańsk, the largest Polish port and simultaneously one of the fastest-growing ports in Europe.