- Carpathian Startup Festival returns as Poland’s major event, connecting founders, investors, and innovation leaders
- The Festival features startup competition, mentoring opportunities, and investor-facing presentations
- The programme combines workshops, expert talks, networking, and business development insights
Carpathian Startup Fest 2026 takes place on June 17–18th, 2026, bringing together startups, entrepreneurs, investors, and innovation leaders for one of the largest startup and business events in Poland. Hosted at ZEN.com Arena in the Subcarpathian region near Rzeszów, the Festival continues to strengthen its position as a key platform for entrepreneurship, technology, and business growth in Central and Eastern Europe.
Designed for founders at various stages of development, from early concepts to companies preparing for Seed and Series A investment rounds, this event creates opportunities for startups to gain visibility, connect with investors, and accelerate growth. Rzeszów Regional Development Agency, the Festival’s organizers, position it as a meeting point where innovation meets business expertise and investment capital.
Agenda and Programme
The festival combines inspirational content with practical business opportunities. The programme features keynote presentations, expert panels, startup competitions, workshops, and networking sessions designed to help participants build valuable connections and acquire actionable knowledge.
For Startups
A major attraction of the event is the startup competition where emerging companies can showcase their solutions to investors, industry experts, and potential partners. This year, Carpathian Startup Fest offers an unprecedented package of prizes and growth opportunities for founders. While the total prize pool reaches PLN 150K, the organizers emphasize that the event’s long-term value extends far beyond financial rewards.
The growing reputation of Carpathian Startup Fest got reflected in the record level of interest from the startup community. This year’s edition attracted 364 competition entries, marking the highest number of applications in the event’s history. Among them, 190 submissions came from startups with established products seeking investment, partnerships, and opportunities for further expansion, while 174 applications represented early-stage ventures and emerging business concepts. Following the evaluation process, the jury selected ten semifinalists in the Puls Up startup competition, representing a diverse range of innovative solutions across technology, healthcare, sustainability, and advanced research sectors.
Finalists will gain access to prestigious development programs, including participation in Sebastian Kulczyk’s InCredibles mentoring initiative, MBA scholarships at the Warsaw School of Economics, startup-focused postgraduate studies at the Wrocław University of Economics and Business, and infrastructure support through Beyond vouchers. These resources provide startups with expert guidance, education, and strategic support. Additionally, the winner of the Puls Up startup competition will receive PLN 50K and a dedicated cover feature in Puls Biznesu, one of Poland’s leading business publications.
Speakers and Industry Experts
The programme focuses on entrepreneurship, innovation, emerging technologies, investment readiness, business development, and scaling strategies. Through practical discussions and case studies, attendees can gain insights into navigating the challenges of building and growing successful startups.
Carpathian Startup Fest 2026 expects 1,500 participants, including 400 startups and over 50 venture capital funds and investors, while 150 speaker will appear across four stages.. They include:
- Andrzej Dragan, Professor at the University of Warsaw and the National University of Singapore
- Adrian Gamoń, Brand Experience & Communication Strategist
- Dr Maciej Kawecki, Director at Instytut Lema, Director of the Innovation Center at the Uniwersytet WSB Merito Warszawa
- Mike Korba, Co-Founder & CMO Field Marketing Poland & CEE at User.com by Positive
- Tomasz Karwatka, Co-Founder at Open Mercato
- Michał Kramarz, Head of Incubation & Acceleration CEE at Google Cloud
- Dominik Krawczyk, CEO at COBIN Angels
- Lech Kaniuk, Founder of Lech Kaniuk Holding
- Artur Kurasiński, Co-Founder at Omea
- Aleksandra Lemańska, CQ Leadership Expert, Founder at LemanSkills
- Dariusz Mazurkiewicz, CEO at BLIK
- Edward Miszczak, Programming Director at Polsat Television
- Aleksandra Pedraszewska, Partner at vastpoint
- Kamil Porembiński, CEO at Don’t Exists, Lecturer at Politechnika Warszawska
- Maja Schaefer, Co-Founder and CEO of Zowie
- Alina Sztoch, Co-Founder and CEO at Kubota S.A.
- Jarosław Sroka, Board Member at KI Next
- Karel Zheng, General Partner at KAYA VC
- Maciej Zientara, Business Angel
These and many more industry representatives and investors will share perspectives on startup growth, fundraising, innovation management, digital transformation, and building competitive businesses in rapidly evolving markets.
Networking and Startup Opportunities
Networking remains a central pillar of the Carpathian Startup Festival. Dedicated networking sessions allow founders, investors, mentors, and corporate representatives to exchange ideas, explore partnerships, and identify new business opportunities.
The event also serves as a valuable platform for startups seeking investment and mentorship. By bringing together experienced founders, venture capital representatives, business angels, and ecosystem partners, the Festival helps bridge innovative ideas and the resources needed to scale them successfully.
Organizers emphasize that Carpathian Startup Fest is a catalyst for regional innovation and entrepreneurship, helping strengthen Poland’s startup ecosystem while fostering international collaboration.
Informal Attractions
‘What is wonderful is the atmosphere of this place—unforced and welcoming. It resembles genuine hospitality that quickly breaks down formal barriers and makes it easier to establish meaningful connections,’ Jarosław Sroka remarks.
Beyond its startup and business programme, Carpathian Startup Fest offers participants a vibrant cultural experience through the dedicated Start ART zone. Designed as a creative hub, this space blends entrepreneurship with art, music, and local culture, creating an inspiring environment for informal networking and idea exchange. Visitors can explore contemporary artworks, enjoy live performances, discover regional cuisine, and experience a unique atmosphere that extends beyond traditional conference formats.
The zone will feature music curated by DJ and Fantasmagoria creator Gabi Bury, while renowned artist Wincenty Dublański (Vinc Black) will showcase his distinctive large-scale paintings. Together, these elements transform Start ART into a meeting place where innovation and creativity intersect.
Another signature highlight is the renowned MeetUp Party, an evening networking event held at Dwór Ostoya in Jasionka. Bringing together around 500 founders, investors, technology professionals, and business leaders, the gathering combines relationship-building opportunities with live entertainment, featuring performances by O.S.T.R. & DJ Haem, DJ ERHA, DJ JustJuice, and a jazz quartet.
In a Nutshell
- When: June 17–18th, 2026
- Where: ZEN.com Arena, Jasionka (near Rzeszów), Poland
- More information: on the Festival’s’s official website
- Tickets: here, use promo code CSF15 for 15% off
Kostiantyn is a freelance writer from Crimea but based in Lviv. He loves writing about IT and high tech because those topics are always upbeat and he’s an inherent optimist!
