Samsung Incubator is a program that facilitates the acquisition of digital competences and supports the development of startups in Eastern Poland.
The first incubator, established in 2017 in Rzeszów, focuses on the development of Internet of Things projects. At the beginning of 2019, two new incubators appeared on the map of Eastern Poland - the Samsung Incubator in Lublin, in which startups dealing with cybersecurity receive support, and the Samsung Incubator in Białystok focused on the Sustainable Development Goals.
As part of the initiative, startups can count on the support of Samsung R&D experts, access to laboratory space and the latest Samsung devices, free training, and the possibility of financial support. Incubators organize events for local communities, incl. coding classes, hackathons, gaming tournaments and entrepreneurship workshops. During intensive work on the prototype, each startup is assigned a mentor and expert from Samsung's R&D department. Their task is to motivate, supervise the course of work on the project, but also to serve with their experience and specialist knowledge. During twelve weeks, startups take part in 6 intensive training courses. These will be practical workshops, including in areas closely related to technology and mass production, but also marketing and sales, or presenting your business ventures to investors.
The activities of the Samsung Incubator are aimed at originators who intend to start operating in startups. Building and refining a functional prototype is a huge challenge. The incubator's mission is to create ideal conditions for the development of the project.
Resources needed
- the space in the creative center;
- renowned, titular sponsor and partner;
- professionally equipped rooms;
- administrative staff (3 people).;
- content experts as needed + technology experts
Evidence of success
Incubation is a great opportunity for startups that can move from an idea to the implementation of their solution in a few months. Especially when it goes hand in hand with a rich training path, adequate work space and expert support. Thanks to incubation in this unit, a number of startups introduced their products to the market (about 20 startups. These startups include, for example: Billy Plus !; moonjelly; Lumine; Smarthorse; D.A.VAC; Aquares, BIOMO.
Difficulties encountered
- Establishing an agreement with the sponsor
- Building a partnership for the incubator and jointly of universities, business and non-governmental organizations
- Finding appropriate human resources, having knowledge, experience, willingness to share it, including finding technology experts.
Potential for learning or transfer
We believe that Samsung Incubator is a really Good example of the cooperation between entrepreneurs, science institution and universitiies from Podkarpackie Region. Incubator also associates many startups what allows to transfer the knowledge between them. The Samsung Incubator program is part of the company's strategy aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs within a network of incubators in Eastern Poland - in Rzeszów, Lublin and Białystok. The partners of Samsung Incubator in Rzeszów are: Rzeszów University of Technology, Aviation Valley and HugeTech, which is necessary to increase the possibilities of knowledge transfer.
Tags: Incubation, Innovation, Startups, Support
