LOCATION
For several years, Krakow has been the European leader when it comes to attracting the modern business services sector - as well as, more recently, also research and development centres. Such investments are made by financial institutions and high-tech companies and start-ups are also thriving. In fact, at every level, all these industries - from self-employed entrepreneurs to global brands – are constantly developing new areas and betting on innovation. The BSS sector in Krakow is currently made up of over 260 companies employing around 100,000 people. We have over 500 technology companies with close to 50,000 IT employees and 9,000 IT students. In addition, office space has quadrupled in the last few years and is now estimated at 1.75 million square metres.
Tourism, traditionally, plays a significant role in Krakow's local economy, but the city supports the diversification of economic activity – industry, construction, the creative industries sector and education and culture still have a significant share in Krakow's income.
The appropriate infrastructural and organisational environment is also important, with numerous companies, including international corporations, having their own research and development centres and university technology transfer centres. Krakow supports the development of a knowledge-based economy and actively cooperates with businesses and the research community. The city also cares about the high quality of life of its residents, creating a rich cultural, educational, as well as sporting and leisure offer and ensuring a strong sense of security. We have efficient public transport, a convenient location by the A4 motorway, good rail links and a modern international airport.
PEOPLE
One of Krakow's strengths is its excellent workforce – both a valuable intellectual and business background as well as ambitious and creative young people, open to change and development. Krakow is a thriving academic centre: nearly 130,000 students study at 23 universities and the city has a well-developed research infrastructure. This is why our city's strength is its professional workforce, mainly in the fields of ICT and engineering or administration and HR, coupled with widespread linguistic skills.
It should also be emphasised that Krakow belongs to a small group of Polish cities with a growing population. We estimate that we already have at least one million inhabitants, and to this number we should add people arriving daily for work or university.
A distinctive feature of the business services sector in our city is multiculturalism: employees from abroad account for nearly 14% of all employees – they come from 50 countries and provide services in a total of 35 languages, with an average of seven languages spoken per centre. The age structure is also an important factor in building diversity, with the largest group being 27-34-year olds. Investors from the US and Western European countries are particularly active, seeking geographically and culturally close locations.
INNOVATION
Although it may seem to be the case, tourism is not the most important branch of Krakow's economy. Its obvious importance is indisputable, but the city is constantly trying to diversify the areas of economic activity in its territory, following the principle of sustainable development enshrined in strategic documents. Therefore, an important share of the city's income comes from industry and construction, as well as the booming market for business-related services, the creative industries sector and life sciences. In recent years, the startup community has also grown rapidly here. There are already more than 300 such entities and the broader industry brings together several thousand people. It is estimated that about 10 companies operating in the city have attracted a total of more than €120 million in investments to Krakow. Krakow startups employ hundreds of people, produce solutions that are used around the world and are gaining increasing international recognition - we can mention already recognised brands such as Estimote, Brainly, Callpage, Synerise and Silvair.
SUCCESS
In a highly competitive global market, Krakow continues to attract young people and professionals who want to develop their talents here. Extensive development and career opportunities are offered to them not only by global corporations and specialised IT companies, but also by start-ups. Young and creative people in Kraków are given the chance to get a good start and use their talents and skills, large companies are looking to expand their operations, and more new players are joining in to build Krakow's economy.
Our common goal is that in a friendly, open and safe city, business can develop freely, and the services, products and modern technologies it offers will serve everyone. As can be observed, the current economic, political and social situation poses many challenges for everyone, but Kraków is well positioned to actively create new opportunities for development. Its foundation is cooperation and including all partners - business, science, local government and residents.
In order to offer good jobs, competence building and talent development in a sufficiently attractive manner, we simultaneously strive to make Krakow a city that is good to live in for all residents, offering friendly and functional public space, high-quality municipal services, access to a wide cultural, sporting and leisure offer - simply a place where you want to live.
THE CITY SUPPORTS INVESTORS
Krakow's numerous advantages are reflected in dynamic economic development, which attracts investors and business, while the local government offers comprehensive support to investment projects at all stages - the city's Investor Support and Innovative Economy Centre operates for this purpose. Its employees are able to operate in a flexible and efficient manner, attending to domestic and foreign investors, monitoring investment processes, providing advice, maintaining databases of investment offers and promoting them at home and abroad. The Centre's activities are aimed at everyone who is interested in business development in our city, ranging from small construction plans, through the location of modern service centres, to large investment projects.
You can begin the implementation of your investment plans in the city at the website www.dlabiznesu.krakow.pl where you will find the "Investor's Guide," the Polish and English versions of which provide basic knowledge on, for example, the city's economic profile, offers, forms of support, investor opinions and awards won by the city.
According to the development strategy of Krakow - "This is where I want to live. Kraków 2030" - the city continues to develop its potential by promoting entrepreneurship based on the creativity and talents of its residents, while taking care to attract external business and investors. The new investment market would not be developing so rapidly in Krakow, were it not for the uniqueness of our city, which is not only a beautiful historic place, a scientific and congress centre, but also a significant business centre.
Visit us at: www.dlabiznesu.krakow.pl
