Embracing integration process of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia to the European Union required innovation in all aspects of economy and society. The region’s entrepreneurial economy transformed itself by innovating in business, public administration and society-at-large.
While the innovation system remains fragmented and requires further investment and institutional changes, statistical data shows the growing number of clusters, patents filed, both graduates and jobs in science and technology, born-global innovative companies, and an increasing private and public R&D expenditure. Yet, the innovation gap remains and is most evident in the small business sector which faces problems with the access to finance and to entrepreneurial ‘know-how’.
The next stage of development needs to focus on further increasing investment in R&D, building academia-industry partnerships, providing capital to high-growth companies, and integrating innovation ecosystems within countries and with most innovative economies worldwide. While all countries of the Visegrad Group progress towards these goals, the impact of changes is most evident in Poland.
Source: Polish Infomation and Foreign Investment Agency
Photo © Anna Karahan