Ukrainians who were forced to leave their homes because of the war are finding new opportunities for business development in Poland. This country has become not only a refuge for millions of refugees, but also a place where you can realize your entrepreneurial ambitions. In 2024, the number of businesses created by Ukrainians in Poland has increased significantly, the Polish market offers many prospects for small and medium-sized businesses, but adaptation to new conditions is often accompanied by significant challenges. Entrepreneurs who were able to gain a foothold not only provide for their families, but also contribute to economic cooperation between Ukraine and Poland, creating jobs and filling the budgets of both countries.
Entering a new market requires an understanding of its features, adaptation of business models and a flexible approach. The Polish market is full of opportunities, but at the same time it requires patience, creativity and resources from entrepreneurs. The experience of those who have already achieved success or, on the contrary, faced difficulties, becomes a valuable lesson for new players.
Polish market for Ukrainian entrepreneurs
As informs Polska Agencja Prasowa, Ukrainians manage 77% of active businesses recently registered by foreigners in Poland. According to the data of the Polish Economic Institute, in total, from January 2022 to 2024, Ukrainian citizens created about 59,800 active individual enterprises (an analogue of sole proprietorships in Ukraine).
In 2024, Ukrainians created a significant part of new enterprises in Poland, opening every tenth business in the country. This activity is an impressive testimony to the adaptation and entrepreneurial spirit of Ukrainians who, despite the challenges of the war, are looking for opportunities for development abroad. In particular, approximately 35% of these enterprises were founded by Ukrainian women, which emphasizes their role in supporting families and building new economic opportunities. However, this figure is slightly lower than the percentage of companies opened by Polish women during the same period, which is 38%.
At the same time, business areas founded by men and women have their own characteristics. Men mainly focus on construction, information technology, communication, transport and warehousing. At the same time, there is a noticeable interest among women in information technologies, communications and trade. Activities related to information and communications have become key for a significant part of Ukrainian women entrepreneurs, which indicates their active participation in modern digital markets. In this field, there are four times more Ukrainian women than men, which indicates the growth of their presence in innovative industries.
In general, Ukrainian enterprises established in Poland in the first half of 2024 cover several main areas. The leader is construction, which accounts for 23% of businesses. Information technology and communications are second at 19%, while 12% of new companies focus on providing services. These data demonstrate that Ukrainians are actively integrating into various sectors of the Polish economy, creating conditions for their development and strengthening economic ties between the countries.
Poland is an attractive destination for Ukrainian businesses due to its geographical proximity, shared historical ties and stable economic situation. However, the new market requires entrepreneurs to be ready for adaptation and a deep analysis of its specifics. One of the main barriers that Ukrainians face is the cultural difference between business approaches.
Despite the similarity of historical and social traditions, Ukrainian and Polish entrepreneurs have differences in the ways of doing business. The Polish consumer is pragmatic, focused on quality, functionality and value. For example, the company Dnipro-M, which specializes in the sale of household appliances, had to adapt its products for the Polish market. Poles are not ready to overpay for additional functions that may not be in demand, so the company has reduced the functionality of individual products while maintaining their basic quality.
Economic issues: costs and competition
Edition Forbes reported that entering the Polish market is associated with high costs, which often come as a surprise to Ukrainian entrepreneurs. Renting commercial premises, costs for advertising, marketing and attracting customers in Poland can be several times higher than similar indicators in Ukraine. This is confirmed by the experience of the founder of the Milk Bar chain, Anna Kozachenko, who, when opening a restaurant in Poland, faced the fact that actual costs exceeded the planned by 40%.
In addition, the Polish market is characterized by a high level of competition. Local brands have significant consumer support due to strong economic patriotism. Andriy Zdesenko, the founder of the Biosphere Corporation, notes that the confidence of Poles in domestic manufacturers makes it difficult for foreign companies to enter the market. Polish consumers more often choose products of local production, even if the prices are slightly higher than those of imported counterparts.
Business adaptation to the Polish market
The key to successful integration into the Polish market is adaptation. This applies to both products and business processes. Ukrainian companies that recognized the need for changes in time were able to find their niche. One example is the company Megogo, which adapted its service to the Polish audience. Localization of content, new approaches to marketing and taking into account the needs of local consumers allowed them to gain a foothold in a new market.
Localization is an important aspect not only for large companies but also for small businesses. Restaurateurs who offer Ukrainian cuisine are often faced with the fact that Polish consumers prefer familiar dishes. In such cases, adding local flavors to the menu or creating fusion concepts allows you to attract the attention of more customers.
Opportunities for development
Despite the difficulties, the Polish market remains promising for Ukrainian entrepreneurs. The high purchasing power of the population, a stable economy and the presence of large cities with developed infrastructure make Poland attractive for investment. Poland is also an excellent platform for testing new ideas and business models.
For many companies, a presence in Poland is the first step towards expansion into European markets. Pavlo Kornienko, the founder of the Aurora multimarket chain, notes that the Polish market allows one to assess the company’s competitiveness in tough conditions. Such experience becomes invaluable for further development.
Business development in Poland for Ukrainians is not only a problematic issue, but also a great opportunity. For successful integration, you need to take into account the specifics of the market, adapt your products and services, and be prepared for significant costs. The Polish market requires flexibility, patience and a strategic approach, but it opens up huge prospects for those who are ready to invest resources in its development.
Ukrainian entrepreneurs who successfully work in Poland not only provide for themselves and their families, but also contribute to the establishment of economic ties between the two countries. Despite all the difficulties, their example demonstrates that even in the most difficult conditions, Ukrainian business is able to adapt, develop and achieve success.
