It has been a good year for the Wroclaw economy. New investors

The past year has been exceptionally successful for the Wroclaw agglomeration in terms of attracting and servicing foreign investors. The Invest in Wroclaw team managed more than 20 projects in the IT, SSC, automotive, food, energy, manufacturing and technology sectors.

In these still difficult economic times, cooperation and integration of the ecosystem is essential. We have succeeded in attracting further projects to the Wroclaw agglomeration, both from the manufacturing sector and from the modern business services sector.
_{Magdalena Okulowska, President of the Wroclaw Agglomeration Development Agency}

Not everything to boast about yet

Companies that have decided to develop their activities here include Solventum, Walki, Lapp, Pyszne.pl, Ryanair, Persán, Bosch and Mercedes-Benz. This is not the end of ARAW's successful projects this year.

There are already other important, successfully acquired companies that have decided to open an office in Wroclaw, but it is too early to announce them.
_{Aneta Herbus, Head of Investment Support Department at ARAW}

A city that is not only business-friendly

An important event last year was the inclusion of Wroclaw in the prestigious fDi magazine ranking of 'European Cities and Regions of the Future 2024'. It was awarded the title of the most business-friendly city, as well as taking first place in the general ranking of medium-sized cities and in the ranking of the best human capital.

Another important project was a report on the agglomeration's R&D potential, prepared by ARAW in cooperation with Antal: 'Research and Development Potential in the Wroclaw Agglomeration'.

Also, a new version of the publication for investors 'Driven by Knowledge, People & Innovation 2024', a compendium of knowledge about the Wroclaw economy, was prepared.

Important events not only for the region

In 2024, there was no shortage of business events in which the capital of Lower Silesia took an active part. These included the MIPIM trade fair in Cannes, the PAIH Business Forum, the Web Summit, ABSL Diamonds, the Oslo Innovation Week and the Karpacz Economic Forum.

Wroclaw's participation in such prestigious events is very important in terms of promoting the city's brand and potential. However, the most important event for us was the Made in Wroclaw event in October, which we prepared from the beginning to the end. It is an opportunity to showcase the technology and innovations created here locally.
_{Mateusz Jarzombek, Director of the Business Support Centre}

This year's eighth edition of Made in Wroclaw, held under the banner of Stage of Knowledge, was a combination of a business conference with an Expo Zone, a tech gala with a competition for start-ups, and a novelty - VC Demo Day.

Startup Wroclaw at the top again

It turns out that the startup ecosystem in Wroclaw has also had another successful year. According to Paulina Muszynska, head of Startup Wroclaw, the capital of Lower Silesia is strengthening its position and recognition in Poland and internationally, attracting new partners and creating an increasingly strong technology hub.

According to the Polish Startups 2024 report, we remain at the top of Polish regions in terms of the number of start-ups created, and we are making sure that our potential and human capital are used in the best possible way.
_{Paulina Muszynska, head of Startup Wroclaw}

The year 2024 also saw the organisation of numerous meetings for young entrepreneurs. The Startup WRO Meetup took place three times - these events gathered over 700 participants. In June, the Evolutions 2024: Meetup & Showcase conference was held in June - the largest startup event in the region with over 450 participants.

In addition, Startup Wroclaw organised two Pitch Me Baby events, where innovators could practice the art of presenting and receiving feedback in front of a gathered audience.

Foreign employees could count on support

Last year also saw the continuation of support for key investors in the form of assistance for their employees in the preparation of documents necessary for obtaining temporary residence and work permits, long-term EU residence permits, permanent residence permits, citizenship and registration in the Invitation Register. We also advised companies on these procedures and submitted applications to the Lower Silesian Voivodeship Office on behalf of investors and their employees.

In total, we co-operated with more than 20 investors from the agglomeration, started co-operation with 649 new foreign employees and obtained 626 residence and work permits. Thanks to our activities, foreigners and their families feel comfortable and safe in Wroclaw and the agglomeration, are well looked after and stay longer.
_{Jakub Fraczyk, Head of the Foreign Workers Support Department at ARAW}

Wroclaw a recognised innovation hub

There is much to suggest that the year 2025 will also be an economically interesting time in the Wrocław agglomeration.

The growing technological environment and Poland's leading startup ecosystem are a good starting point not only for next year, but for the entire next decade, in which we will fight to make Wrocław an even more recognised innovation hub.
_{Magdalena Okulowska, President of the Wroclaw Agglomeration Development Agency}