Platinum Seed Incubator

Industries: The fund focuses on projects in the following areas: ICT and TMT, including: content delivery, content management, e-commerce, cloud applications (SaaS), Medicine and healthcare (including ICT projects, e.g. applications facilitating the functioning and care of the elderly), Biotechnology Renewable Energy Sources, Technology and Chemistry

Activity: Platinum Seed Incubator is a seed fund that acts as a bridge between the originator and the capital market. The fund focuses on innovation and the digital services market. The aim is to help originators transform innovative ideas into effective companies. A group of experienced experts provides professional support and helps raise start-up capital. Platinum Seed Incubator cooperates extensively with business angels from Poland and other European countries, as well as with other seed and venture capital funds. The fund not only co-finances the companies in its portfolio, but also provides them with professional support throughout the entire period of cooperation, until the capital exit.

Origin: The Platinum Seed Incubator Fund was established in August 2011. Michał Ciemiński, the founder of the fund, wanted to use his extensive experience, business contacts and savings to initiate the fund's activities by making two investments, from which he successfully made capital exits in 2015. In 2013, the fund received EU funding under Measure 3.1. Initiating Innovative Activity, Priority Axis 3. Capital for Innovation, Operational Program Innovative Economy 2007-2013.

What stage must the project be at? The Platium Seed Incubator Fund invests in projects in the seed phase.

Investment amount: From 200,000 PLN to 600,000 PLN

Biggest investment success: The fund's biggest investment success to date is the investment in XTPL sp. z o.o., which ended with an exit in just 10 months after the investment. The company, in cooperation with Platinum Seed Incubator, has developed its business at a very fast pace, in the meantime acquiring further funds from EU programs, including those awarded by the National Center for Research and Development, and participating in prestigious acceleration programs such as MIT Forum Poland, which ended with a trip to Boston.

Pros and cons of Polish entrepreneurs: Creativity, energy and enthusiasm are unquestionable advantages. On the other hand, the lack of business knowledge, consistency and determination are disadvantages. When planning their business future, originators should imagine success at the end, including how precisely they will measure it, when it will happen and what, when and with whom should be done to achieve it. It is also worth estimating your ability to change, because reality verifies every plan.