The 18th edition of the Silesian Innovator Competition starts
For the eighteenth time, the Upper Silesian Accelerator of Market Entrepreneurship sp. z o.o. in Gliwice, as part of the Enterprise Europe Network project , invites you to participate in the Silesian Innovator Competition There is something to fight for – a prestigious title and attractive prizes, the pool of which reached PLN 110 thousand this year The competition is held under the honorary patronage of the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology.
The idea of the competition is to promote and reward the most innovative entities from the Silesian Voivodeship. Companies and R&D institutions that undertake innovative changes, introducing the latest technologies, new products, or services, thanks to which they achieve business or scientific success are appreciated. Previous Silesian Innovators are the best ambassadors of our region and proof of its innovative potential. Many of them are dynamically developing their business, gaining new markets at home and abroad, or participating in ambitious research projects.
It is time for business and science to once again present their innovative ideas.
Entrepreneurs and institutions from the Silesian Voivodeship which may participate in the competition are:
- offering innovative products, services or modern technological solutions;
- showing evidence of market launch of the notified solution in the last three years (entrepreneurs) or innovation ready for demonstration (R&D institutions).
You can apply for the title of Innovator of Silesia in three categories:
- micro-enterprises,
- small and medium-sized enterprises,
- institution of the research and development sector.
The strategic partners of the competition are: Katowice Special Economic Zone, Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis, City of Gliwice, Polish Chamber of Patent Attorneys and Business Centre Club. The organizer and partners funded the following prizes:
- PLN 40 000 – special award of the President of the Management Board of GAPR sp. Z o.o.
- PLN 30 000 – special award of the President of the Katowice Special Economic Zone S.A.
- PLN 25 000 – special award of the President of the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis.
- PLN 15 000 – special award of the City of Gliwice;
- Gift vouchers and individual advisory service of a patent attorney in the field of intellectual property protection – a special award of the Polish Chamber of Patent Attorneys;
- Two special Business Centre Club awards of a promotional nature.
The winners will also receive a promotional package of regional, national, and international scope.
Those interested in participating in the competition are kindly requested to send to biznes@polsl.pl by the 31st of March 2026 information containing:
- name and surname of the reporting person,
- The faculty assigned to the reporting person,
- The full name of the solution, which is planned to be submitted within the framework of the competition, together with information about the number assigned internally for the Intellectual Property Application Card,
- A solution TRL level which shall not be lower than 7 (in accordance with the terms of the competition, in the case of R&D institutions‑, demonstrate a technological, product or service innovation, ready at least for demonstration under operational conditions, at a TRL level not lower than 7).
We would like to point out that in the current edition of the competition, solutions that were submitted in the last three editions of the Silesian Innovator Competition cannot take part.
In addition, we would like to point out that within universities individual faculties may submit separate applications – no more than two Declarations of Participation per faculty.
Providing the above data within the prescribed period is necessary to carry out further formal activities and provide support in the application process.
The competition is being held under the honorary patronage of the Marshal of Silesian Voivodeship Wojciech Saługa, Mayor of Gliwice Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka, Rector of Silesian University of Technology, Rector of Czestochowa University of Technology, Rector of Silesian University of Katowice, Rector of Silesian Medical University and University of Economics in Katowice.
Register for free! No fees are charged for participation in the competition. The initiative is part of the Enterprise Europe Network project.
The deadline for submitting applications is the 27th of April 2026
Detailed information on the rules of the competition, including the rules and the Declaration of Participation, are available here: www.innowatorslaska.pl.
Are your ideas changing the market? Do not wait! Take part in the competition and get the title of Silesian Innovator 2026!
The Enterprise Europe Network – South Poland (EEN-SP2) project is co-financed by the European Union under the Single Market Program (project No. 101213725) and from the state budget under the multiannual program: Government program – Poland’s participation in the COSME part of the program for the internal market, the competitiveness of enterprises, including small and medium-sized enterprises, the fields of plants, animals, food and feed, and European statistics (the program for the single market) in the years 2022-2028.
