On 6 August contracts with the Academic Incubators of Entrepreneurship (Akademickie Inkubatory Przedsiębiorczości – AIP) were signed with representatives of the IT, advertising and technology industries. After the ceremony, the first of the AIP Meeting series was held during which the participants had the opportunity to chat, get to know each other and, most importantly, establish new business relations. Invitations had been sent out to representatives of Szczecin universities, the City Hall and the Northern Chamber of Commerce.

The Academic Incubators of Entrepreneurship is a foundation rooted in the Student Business Center Club Forum and the most extensive network of academic incubators of entrepreneurship in Europe. Its branches support young entrepreneurs in the major Polish cities. The AIP has been present in Szczecin for six months and its structures incorporate 10 companies. It allows inventive individuals under 30 to set up their own business. For a monthly fee of PLN 200 candidates are provided with bookkeeping and legal assistance, including promotion of their company. As officially they perform services for the AIP, the young entrepreneurs may save on social security contributions.

“Prokonf, which was established in the course of organization of the E-Commerce Conference, constitutes an excellent example of a company operating under the umbrella of our foundation. At present the company focuses on conference, seminar and business meeting organization”, says Mariusz Dugin representing the Szczecin branch of the Academic Incubators of Entrepreneurship.

The Szczecin branch of the AIP is planning to set up offices which will provide assistance to the new businesses. Currently, the AIP uses the facilities of the Academic Incubators of Entrepreneurship at the Univeristy of Szczecin, ul. Żubrów. The clients will also have the chance to take part in specialist training courses. Additionally, the foundation is planning to prepare an all-Poland offer for companies already active in the market.

“I would like such initiatives to be perceived as a signal for the business environment that students are ready to operate and cooperate with the business. For instance, the Faculty of Biology and Chemistry at the Jagiellonian University has attracted young researchers and entrepreneurs, which resulted in patents and huge profits”, comments Prof. Barbara Kryk, associate dean at the Faculty of Economic Science and Management, University of Szczecin.

mab