UPRP and Akces NCBR Join Forces to Support Startups
In a move that could reshape how Polish startups protect and commercialize their innovations, the Polish Patent Office (UPRP) and Akces NCBR, a leading startup accelerator, have signed a strategic cooperation agreement. The partnership aims to embed intellectual property (IP) protection into the DNA of early-stage innovation and boost the commercial success of startups emerging from Poland’s research ecosystem.
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The agreement was formalized by Ewa Skrzydło-Tefelska, President of the UPRP, and Arleta Malasińska, CEO of Akces NCBR. Their joint initiative will focus on strengthening knowledge around intellectual property rights, building innovation literacy among founders, and ensuring that Polish deep tech companies are ready not only to invent—but to scale globally.
Akces NCBR, supported by the National Centre for Research and Development, is already known for working with high-tech startups across space tech, clean energy, AI, and medical devices. These are sectors where IP is not just a formality, but a core asset—and often the only defensible moat for young companies trying to compete on the international stage.
Through this collaboration, founders will now gain access to tailored workshops, legal guidance, and reports that explore the role of patents, trademarks, and industrial designs in securing investor confidence and building long-term value. The UPRP brings legal expertise and regulatory insight, while Akces offers direct access to Poland’s pipeline of frontier technology startups.
The partners also plan to co-organize national events, run awareness campaigns, and launch a dedicated IP competition for Akces participants. The goal is to reward the best strategies for turning scientific discovery into protected market-ready products.
Why does this matter now? Poland is experiencing a steady rise in patent applications, especially in high-impact fields like biotechnology, quantum computing, and space propulsion systems. But many founders still overlook the importance of securing their IP early—or fail to understand its role in attracting investors, especially when aiming for foreign markets.
By integrating IP education into the startup journey from day one, UPRP and Akces want to close this gap. Their message is clear: a good idea is only valuable if it’s protected—and protection is only useful if it supports commercialization.
This partnership signals a broader shift in how Poland treats innovation. It’s no longer enough to invent in the lab. The real challenge—and opportunity—lies in building companies that are both globally competitive and legally secure. Through initiatives like this one, the foundation is being laid for a more resilient, IP-savvy startup ecosystem ready to punch above its weight on the European stage.
