The Podkarpackie Centre for Innovation (PCI) in Rzeszów, eastern Poland, gives researchers, SMEs and students access to top quality research and development facilities. This is promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. The centre opened in December 2017, and helps Podkarpackie’s three universities transfer their knowledge and technologies to the private sector. Collaboration between these two sectors is helping spin-off companies and innovative projects get off the ground.
- 26 August 2020
The place is amazing. It gives me the opportunity to work and implement my project. I did not have such an opportunity at university. I have tools and necessary equipment here, and a lot of help from supervisors.
The centre’s services are being provided thanks to a major investment from the European Regional Development Fund. PCI’s activities are mainly based on combining science and business, and on developing the skills of researchers and university students. Finding the right source of financing can be difficult, which is why support for Podkarpackie R&D projects is considered a priority at the centre, as is generating an entrepreneurial culture among students.
Access to technology
PCI introduces a fundamental change in the traditional operating models of three universities – the University of Rzeszow, the Technology University of Rzeszow, and the University of Information, Technology and Management – by enabling the use of public R&D equipment and technology for commercial innovation.
The centre provides support through three platforms:
Platform one selects the most promising R&D projects from the participating universities and helps them realise their technological and market potential. PCI adds value to selected projects by providing technical and business assistance and help preparing grant applications; Platform two offers commercial R&D services provided through the universities to local companies and entrepreneurs. The PCI’s role is to help the likes of SMEs buy the standard services they need to further their work; Platform three is called ProtoLab, which provides a space where students and young researchers can experiment, develop prototypes and design products using state-of-the-art equipment such as 3D printers and milling machines. Through ProtoLab, users can get help with technical or business-related issues from the PCI’s commercial and scientific experts. Services and equipment can be accessed free of charge.Supporting local talent
The PCI is already attracting regional talent from a range of sectors and technical disciplines. Projects undertaken reflect this diversity. They include efforts to develop a network of air pollution sensors, the creation of automatic warehouse technologies and autonomous transport systems. Meanwhile, PCI supported start-ups are delivering progress in areas ranging from drone technologies to business software.
The project was developed as part of the European Commission’s Catching-up Regions initiative, in cooperation with the Podkarpackie Marshal Office, Poland’s Ministry of Economic Development, the World Bank and the three universities.
Podkarpackie is one of the least developed regions in Poland and this project creates an opportunity to boost the local innovation ecosystem.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “The Podkarpackie Centre for Innovation (PCI)” is EUR 22 517 900 (PLN 100 000 000), with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 22 517 900 through the “Podkarpackie Voivodeship” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Research and innovation”.