Santander Bank Polska and Polska Fundacja Przedsiębiorczości (Polish Entrepreneurs Foundation) selected the winners of competitions for educational grants and business funding. During the closing gala of “MOCne w Biznesie” 10 grants were awarded, as well as three prizes in the form of support from investors.

Warsaw, 5 January 2023.
Grants worth PLN 11k each were awarded to 10 women who had presented the best business plans. The use of the money is for any purpose related to the development of skills needed to run a business. In the other competition, three female entrepreneurs who presented the most interesting business ideas won prizes also. Each of the winners received a capital injection in PLN worth EUR 50k to their respective business project.

– Individual entrepreneurs are the core of the Polish economy. They always innovate, are energetic, and adapt to any circumstances on the market. In our “Mocne w biznesie” project we encouraged female entrepreneurs to apply for grants, giving them tangible support in running their business. We offered inspiration and motivation.  The huge level of interest proves we did really well, said Arkadiusz Przybył, Vice President of the Management Board at Santander Bank Polska S.A. during the gala.

“MOCne w Biznesie” is an initiative aimed at supporting and activating women in professional development and setting up businesses. Nearly 4 thousand women took part in a series of 10 webinar sessions.

– I liked the very idea of the project, the workshops that were ORGANISED with strong women and personalities. And, above all, I am very proud that our business plan was appreciated because we strongly believe in what we do and we believe in the success of our venture, so it was great to hear that we are also able to convince other people, said Iwona Połóg who received investor support for an innovative business plan of a company from the  IT and tourism industry regarding an application for organising group trips.

During the workshop, the participants received many tips and tools to support running a business. Speakers in the webinar session included among others: Sara Koślińska – CEO Limitless, Anna Orska – founder and owner of the jewellery brand ORSKA, as well as the well-known journalist, Dorota Wellman.

– I can especially remember the talks of Anna Orska and Marta Lech-Maciejewska, bloggers and owners of the Spadiora brand. I have taken part in many courses provided by Santander Bank Polska and the Polish Entrepreneurs Foundation. Recently, I also took part in the Santander MBA Essentials, organised jointly with the London School of Economics. It was such an introduction to the Executive MBA and gave me a completely different approach to finance, and to how to manage the business. That is why now, using the grant money for development, I want to enrol on a full MBA course that will help me run my company, said Michalina Wilkowska, awarded a development grant for her business plan of a publisher of educational board games.

The list of winners can be found at santander.pl/mocnewbiznesie.

Her Impact and Forbes Women are partners of the "MOCne w Biznesie" project.