BGK to Launch PLN 2.8 Billion Program, Eyes AI Fund with EU Partners
Category: Public Investment Tags: public investment, AI, Poland
BGK Allocates PLN 2.8 Billion for Digitalization, Enters Advanced Talks on Creating an International Artificial Intelligence Fund
Poland is making bold strides toward a digitally empowered economy. Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK), the state development bank, has unveiled a PLN 2.8 billion digital transformation program while simultaneously advancing negotiations to create a pan-European fund focused on artificial intelligence (AI). The dual initiative reflects Poland’s growing recognition of digital infrastructure as a foundation for long-term economic competitiveness — and its ambition to play a strategic role in Europe’s AI future.
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The digitalization fund, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Affairs and sourced from the National Recovery Plan (KPO), is now open to applications from private companies, universities, and local governments. With AI, cybersecurity, and Industry 4.0 among the eligible categories, the program is expected to catalyze innovation in both public and commercial sectors.
Meanwhile, BGK is deep in negotiations with the European Commission, France’s Bpifrance, and Germany’s KfW Bankengruppe to establish a multilateral AI investment fund. The fund would channel capital into cutting-edge AI ventures, with a strong emphasis on Polish participation. According to Marta Postuła, Vice President of BGK, a key condition for Poland’s involvement is guaranteed investment into domestic projects, ensuring local startups and enterprises benefit directly from European collaboration.
“We’re ready to build the financial structure of this fund using our own capital and partner contributions. But our requirement is clear — investments must also land in Poland,” Postuła affirmed in recent statements.
Why an AI Fund Now?
Although Poland has built a strong base in sectors like gaming, cybersecurity, and software development, it still lags behind Germany and France in AI adoption rates. This lag is partly due to Poland’s historically easier access to labor, which delayed automation incentives. As demographic shifts intensify and the EU accelerates its AI legislation (like the AI Act passed in 2024), BGK is positioning Poland to close the gap and lead in responsible AI development.
According to Eurostat’s 2024 Digital Economy Index, less than 20% of Polish businesses currently use AI tools, compared to over 35% in Western European countries. BGK sees this as both a challenge and an opportunity — a “last mover advantage” where Polish firms can adopt proven AI models and leapfrog outdated systems.
A Wider Investment Agenda
BGK is not limiting its efforts to policy and programs. Through its venture capital arms — such as funds managed by Vinci Capital and PFR Ventures — the bank is also actively investing in frontier startups. A recent example is its PLN 36.3 million investment into SR Robotics, a Polish company developing underwater autonomous robots for civilian and defense use.
The bank is also expanding support for gaming studios, digital manufacturing platforms, and smart city solutions, although financing game development remains complex due to long monetization cycles. BGK is reportedly in internal discussions to develop special financial instruments tailored to creative industries, a segment often underserved by traditional banking.
What Comes Next?
If successful, the transnational AI fund would become one of Europe’s first dedicated vehicles for strategic AI investments, with the potential to channel hundreds of millions of euros toward AI infrastructure, ethics frameworks, and cross-border R&D. The move could also attract global private capital into the Polish deeptech scene, strengthening Warsaw’s ambition to be a regional AI hub.
BGK’s digitalization initiative is now live, with applications open through designated platforms. Information sessions are being organized to assist applicants from regions outside Warsaw, ensuring that smaller enterprises and local governments also have access to these transformative resources.
At a time when Europe is redefining its digital sovereignty and technological competitiveness, Poland appears determined not to be left behind — and BGK is helping to lead the charge.
