The strength of an economy is no longer determined only by the size of the country or natural resources. What matters today is knowledge, innovation and courage in implementing changes. Poland, although often underestimated, is becoming an arena for groundbreaking scientific projects and dynamic business initiatives. We talk about how cooperation between science and entrepreneurship can change the world with Beata Drzazga – entrepreneur, leader, and ambassador of Polish innovation abroad.

Ms. Beata, for years you have been promoting the idea of combining science and business. Why is this combination so important today?

Beata Drzazga: Because it is at the interface of science and business that truly revolutionary things are created. An idea or theory alone is not enough – you need the energy to turn it into a working solution. Science provides the knowledge, business gives the speed and scale. Together, we can create technologies that respond to people’s real needs. And we don’t have to look far for this – in Poland we have huge potential for this.

In what areas does Poland stand out from Europe today?

Beata Drzazga: Definitely in medicine, information technology and environmental solutions. We have excellent doctors and scientists who are creating therapies for patients with diseases previously considered incurable. We also see great IT projects – Polish programmers are valued around the world. And green innovation? It’s no longer just a fashion – it’s a necessity. And here, too, there is no shortage of brilliant ideas, which are created right here.

And what role do universities play in this process?

Beata Drzazga: Increasingly, which makes me very happy. Universities are ceasing to be just a place to get a diploma – they are becoming a space for implementing innovative ideas. Research and development centers, cooperation with industry, patents, business incubators – this is already an everyday reality in many Polish universities. This is a sign that academia is moving out of the laboratories and starting to have a real impact on the economy.

You oncementioned, that a new era of entrepreneurship is beginning in Poland. What did you have in mind?

Beata Drzazga: I was referring to courage and new quality. Young people are not afraid to take risks, think globally, use new technologies and want to change the world for the better. They are founding startups, creating innovative products and services that respond to market needs. Importantly – they increasingly do this in cooperation with science, which used to be rare. Today, these two worlds are intersecting, and this is yielding amazing results.

What qualities should an entrepreneur have in a world where innovation is an everyday occurrence?

Beata Drzazga: First of all – openness. For change, for cooperation, for criticism. Innovation is born where there is trust and a willingness to work beyond the pattern. You also need humility in the face of knowledge – we don’t need to know everything, but we need to be able to invite people to join the team who have competencies we don’t have. And of course – perseverance. Because no great thing happens at once.

What about the international position of Poland? Are our achievements noticed abroad?

Beata Drzazga: Definitely yes. I travel around the world and talk to representatives of various circles. In the United States, in Dubai, in France – more and more often I meet with a genuine appreciation for Polish technological solutions, for the level of our research, but also for the quality of services or products. Poland is no longer just a subcontractor – it is becoming a creator.

Are there specific examples of projects, which as a country we can be particularly proud of?

Beata Drzazga: There are plenty of them. Just look at the successes of medical companies , which create innovative diagnostic devices. Or at Polish IT solutions implemented in the world’ s largest corporations. We also have great examples from the green technology industry – for example, air quality monitoring systems, which are developed right here in Poland, and operate on several continents.

What does Polish innovation need most today, to develop?

Beata Drzazga: Trust – from the state, the financial sector, but also ordinary people. Innovation does not thrive in an atmosphere of fear or bureaucracy. We need space for experimentation, flexible regulations, grant systems that are realistically accessible and effective. And more joint projects – ones where the scientist, engineer, entrepreneur and investor come together. Only together can we move forward.

And in conclusion – your message to young innovators?

Beata Drzazga: Do not be afraid to act. The world belongs to those who have the courage to think differently. Poland needs your energy, ideas and determination. And I – as a business woman, mother, citizen – can only say: I am proud of you .

Source: Gazeta Finanse