Innovation driven city

Wroclaw has established a reputation as one of Poland's leading hubs for research, development (R&D) and innovation. As the second largest centre for startups in the country, the city is a vibrant ecosystem that combines a robust academic base, cutting-edge technological infrastructure, and dynamic collaboration between businesses, universities, and research institutions. Here's an in-depth look at what makes Wroclaw a standout location for innovation.
R&D: at the heart of Wroclaw's knowledge economy
Wroclaw is home to several global and national R&D leaders. Companies such as Nokia, 3M and Google have established a significant presence in the city, contributing to its vibrant research ecosystem. In addition, local champions such as Techland, a renowned game developer, are key drivers of innovation.
According to the report Research and Development Potential in the Wrocław Agglomeration 2024, prepared by the Wrocław Agglomeration Development Agency (ARAW) and Antal, Wrocław is home to 11% of all Polish R&D centres recognised by the Ministry of Development and Technology. In the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, there will be 663 entities performing R&D in 2022, an increase of 34% compared to 2019.
The report highlights that R&D investment in Lower Silesia reached PLN 3.9 billion in 2022, ranking the region third in Poland after Mazovia and Lesser Poland. This is reflected in the employment of 15,483 R&D professionals across the region, including around 13,000 in Wrocław itself.
Wroclaw's R&D ecosystem is diverse, with leading industries including:
- Engineering and manufacturing (51% of companies)
- Information and communication technologies (37%)
- Chemicals and materials (16%)
Startups: A thriving community
Home to 28% of Poland's startups, Wroclaw has become a cornerstone for innovation in fields such as artificial intelligence, fintech, medtech and gaming. Renowned companies such as Techland and CD Projekt Red, responsible for global gaming hits, have their roots here. The city's startup ecosystem is enriched by support initiatives such as the Wrocław Technology Park and Startup Wrocław, which provide co-working space, mentoring and access to funding.
Highlights of Wroclaw's startup ecosystem include:
- Biotech pioneers such as Bioceltix, which develops stem cell-based therapies for animals
- Infermedica, which specialises in AI-based healthcare diagnostics
- PayEye, an innovator in biometric payments
Startups here are not only succeeding domestically, but also gaining international recognition. For example, several Wroclaw-based startups, such as Callstack and Open Loyalty, have been included in Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 ranking.
The Startup Wrocław team – on behalf of Wroclaw Agglomeration Development Agency (Agencja Rozwoju Aglomeracji Wroclawskiej ARAW) – provides comprehensive support for startups and the whole ecosystem.
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