In the new EU 2014-2020 perspective almost 10 billion euro is to be allotted to Polish companies for the development of technologies and innovations. This is almost one-fourth more in comparison to years 2007-2013. According to the European Commission, it is vital for Poland to ensure the country's development relies increasingly on innovations. First and foremost, more emphasis is to be placed on improved communication between business and scientists so that innovations are applied in economical practice.
Scientists need support
Also Wrocław companies intend to utilize EU funds for developing innovations.
"The new financial perspective will include much more funds not only for R&D, but also on commercializing such projects. " said Marcin Tarasiuk, the operations director and board member of Synaptise S.A. "Such support is crucial for scientists who otherwise would be unable to afford to develop and commercialize their ideas in the market.
The value of such financial support for companies involved in innovative research projects is thoroughly appreciated by the crew of Stem Cells Spin company. Last year they were granted a record, 57 million co-funding from the Demonstrator+ of the National Research and Development Centre for a project of a state-of-the-art production line for manufacturing medicines and medicinal products based on the discovery of MIC-1 stem cells.
"Co-financing business activity from EU funds might prove a milestone in a company's activity" declares Grzegorz Smak, a board member and the director general of Stem Cells Spin Ltd. "Owing to the grant our company is now finalizing the works on building a modern manufacturing line for medicines and medicinal products. After the prototype stage time will come for manufacturing all-accessible products that may revolutionize many therapies, especially with regard to regeneration medicine. This requires years, and a huge financial push, but would be impossible without additional support.
What counts in the market is innovation
As businessmen from Wrocław Technological Park claim, innovative projects don't always pertain to matters related to great scientific enterprises.
"It's first and foremost about showing that our project stands a chance in the market" said Marcin Tarasiuk. "Let's say, if we come up with a non-sophisticated device to open a soft-boiled egg in a totally new way, and if we can find people who are willing to buy it, this will also be an innovative product. At present no one invests in non-innovative projects. Marketing them makes no sense, as they are doomed for failure. Innovations are usually solutions that are cheaper, more modern and simpler in operation. This is why all projects need to be confronted with the market, and with no support, the scientists have a huge problem with it.
As the results of the 2nd edition of Deloitte's "R&D in Poland" 2014 report show, over a half of Polish companies intend to increase their expenses on R&D. In the next two years over 47 percent of companies intend to increase expenses on R&D, and in a longer, 5-year perspective, 61 percent of respondents.
R&D is now a standard
"He have noticed a change in perception of R&D among Polish businessmen. "says Magdalena Burnat-Mikosz from Deloitte. "A tendency is visible to more intensively inscribe R&D in a company's business model, and by doing so, granting it a strategic and key role. R&D is now not perceived as something ground-breaking, it becomes a part of everyday business and building competitive advantage. Just a year ago, as much as 75 percent of Polish companies perceived R&D as working on vital innovations, and now only 23.6 percent do so.
"Growing interest of businessmen in financing R&D in Poland allows for optimistic view of the future" said Leszek Grabarczyk, the director deputy of the National R&D Centre. "The increase of importance of R&D in business activity of Polish firms will surely allow for increasing the innovativeness of all our economy.
