Kraków is a modern metropolis where over a million people live and work. The city boasts over 137,000 students and 18 higher education institutions, including 8 universities. There are nearly 312 international corporations employing over 107,000 people in sectors like finance, IT, services, research and development, and business analytics.
Recently, the city has become one of the best places in Poland to develop innovative businesses. This is clearly reflected in the activities of local entrepreneurs. Thanks to an active scientific community, excellent research infrastructure, and the growth of both Polish companies and international corporations, Kraków offers some of the best conditions in the country for business development.
Kraków is currently one of the fastest economically growing metropolises in Poland. The city's high positions in international rankings easily confirm this trend.
In the fDi's European Cities and Regions of the Future 2025 ranking published by the prestigious fDi Magazine, Kraków was once again recognized in the following categories:
- Top 10 Large European Cities of the Future 2025, Business Friendliness (1st place)
- Top 10 Large European Cities of the Future 2025, Human Capital and Lifestyle (1st place)
- Top 10 Large European Cities of the Future 2025, Economic Potential (6th place)
- Top 10 Large European Cities of the Future 2025, Overall (3rd place)
Kraków also received the Top European City Ecosystem for Startups award during the first edition of the European Startup Ecosystem Awards organized by Wolves Summit 2026. This distinction is not based on numbers but evaluates the ecosystem's quality through the eyes of practitioners like founders, investors, and innovation support organizations.
Additionally, Kraków was honored with the Commune for 5! and Golden Commune for 5! titles in the 2024/25 ranking prepared by the Student Science Club of Acceleration at the Warsaw School of Economics.
Development perspectives+
Kraków focuses on developing entrepreneurship based on creativity and intellectual capital. The Kraków Development Strategy aims to build a knowledge economy, and this direction will be consistently strengthened. The city's main advantages include strong academic and research facilities, access to highly qualified professionals, a mature business environment, and cooperation between science and business.
The knowledge and innovation economy assumes further growth in modern business services, IT, AI, fintech, high tech, R&D, creative industries, and life sciences.
Modern urban infrastructure and efficient transport are essential for business development. Taking advantage of its convenient location in Europe, Kraków is expanding the airport, planning a metro system, and modernizing the public transport network.
Improving the accessibility of underutilized city areas like Nowa Huta Przyszłości and other peripheral districts is very important. This encourages diverse economic activities and aligns with a polycentric city concept. Expanding municipal infrastructure and implementing smart city solutions elevates public spaces and improves living standards through intelligent water management, public transport systems, and heating innovations.
Living and working conditions are primary criteria for people building their careers in Kraków. From a business perspective, residents' quality of life is a great tool to compete for talent. Therefore, competing for people is essential. Their skills, creativity, and entrepreneurship attract and secure investments.
Alongside strengthening the city's position as an academic hub, Kraków offers excellent opportunities in leisure, culture, public spaces, greenery, health, sports, public services, and safety. City strategic documents also identify quality of life as a main factor for locating knowledge businesses.
The city actively builds its brand on the message "I want to live here". This relates to quality of life, responsible development, and being a center for modern technologies, advanced services, and innovation. High positions in international rankings, strong economic indicators as the current wage leader in Poland, and a growing population confirm this success. This image enhances the sense of security and location prestige for foreign investors and large companies. Kraków is a city where people want to live, work, and invest long term.
Kraków aims to attract entrepreneurs mainly by building an innovative economy based on cooperation between business, universities, and research facilities. The dynamic development of space technology companies, supported by new degree programs at universities like AGH and PK, is a perfect example.
Developing the innovation ecosystem is essential. This includes startups, technology hubs, and support instruments for investors. It is especially visible in advanced and digital technologies like the Gaia AI Factory supercomputers, Industry 4.0, GameDev, dual use and defense technologies, as well as life sciences with companies like Selvita and Ryvu Therapeutics.
The city also creates new investment areas by transforming post industrial zones into new technology zones in Nowa Huta and turning the former hospital area of Wesoła into a modern creative district. The availability of skilled workers and experienced management also significantly increases Kraków's investment attractiveness. As a result, the city wants to compete not on costs but on the high quality of the environment for modern business development.
Investment proposals+
Contact+
Investors and Innovative Economy Support Center
Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Municipality of Krakow
Zabłocie 22 St., 30-701 Krakow, Poland
Telephone number +48 12 616 11 28
e-mail:
Invest in Krakow
