The Role of Startups in the Polish Agri-Food Sector in the Face of Contemporary Global Economic Challenges

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study is to highlight the significant role of startups in the Polish agri-food sector in the context of the challenges of the contemporary global economy.

Methodology: The study employs a descriptive method, statistical analysis, and a critical review of the literature.

Results: The analysis indicates that the development of Polish startups in the agri-food sector is strongly determined by global megatrends, such as the growing importance of functional food, alternative protein sources, the reduction of food waste, and the advancement of sustainable economic practices. The development potential of these entities is strengthened by the structure of the domestic sector, in which SMEs constitute the vast majority of enterprises, fostering flexibility, innovativeness, and relatively low entry barriers. A key success factor for startups is their operation within a developing support ecosystem – comprising public institutions, private investors, universities, and research infrastructure – as well as the close consideration of the consumer’s role at every stage of product development.

Implications and recommendations: Support for startups in the agri-food sector should focus on further strengthening cooperation between science, business, and investors, particularly in the area of financing pilot projects and scaling innovations. Procedures for accessing public funds should be simplified, and instruments combining private and public capital should be further developed to accelerate the commercialization of solutions. Startups should strategically leverage trends related to sustainability, food personalization, and digitalization as a foundation for building competitive advantage in international markets.

Originality/value: The study combines the perspective of global consumer trends with an analysis of the domestic sector’s structure and the functioning of the startup ecosystem, offering a multidimensional view of the development of young firms in the agri-food sector. The value of the paper lies in identifying the synergy between the potential of the Polish agri-food sector and the capacity of startups to generate innovations that address the challenges of sustainable development.