Poland's SMEs Shift Innovation Focus from Industry to Services

Recent data reveals a dynamic shift in innovation spending within Poland's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Between 2022 and 2024, industrial firms saw a 7% decrease in their investment in innovation activities. Conversely, service sector firms experienced a significant 12% increase in such spending.

This trend aligns with broader economic changes, including the growing importance of the service sector in Poland's GDP structure and a rapid expansion of employment in knowledge-intensive services like IT, consulting, and management. These sectors are naturally driving innovation through digitalization, automation, and the adoption of new technologies. Innovation is increasingly defined not just by R&D but also by evolving business models and process optimization.

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To naturalnie przekłada się na wzrost aktywności innowacyjnej właśnie w usługach. Widzimy też pozytywny proces transformacji tego sektora dzięki cyfryzacji, automatyzacji i wdrażaniu nowych technologii.

While the decline in industrial innovation spending might seem concerning, experts suggest it's part of natural investment cycles. Industrial innovation, whether through R&D, green transformation, or digitalization, is often more capital-intensive and time-consuming, requiring new production lines or facilities. The implementation of large projects is also influenced by the availability of public funding, such as through EU programs, which have longer lead times from application to realization.

The Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP) continues to support SME innovation through various instruments. Recognizing that innovation extends beyond traditional R&D, PARP is reorganizing to support employee competency development, digital tool implementation, and AI-based solutions. Flagship programs like Ścieżka SMART have been streamlined, with simplified application processes and increased flexibility to better meet market demands. These efforts aim to encourage a wider range of innovative activities across Polish businesses.

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W tym kierunku reorganizujemy dziś PARP. Oczywiście nadal funkcjonują nasze flagowe programy, takie jak Ścieżka SMART. Uprościliśmy jednak system aplikowania i oceniania projektów, ograniczyliśmy liczbę modułów i zwiększyliśmy elastyczność dla przedsiębiorców.