Author: Scanway
Publication date:
Akces NCBR and Scanway S.A. have entered into a cooperation agreement aimed at supporting the development of innovative startups operating in the space sector. Their joint efforts will focus on leveraging the synergies of both entities’ expertise, resources, and experience—with a particular emphasis on Akces NCBR’s accelerator programs, such as SpaceTech.
The scope of the collaboration includes, among other things: joint efforts to develop an ecosystem that supports the commercialization of innovative space technologies, including the acceleration programs implemented by Akces NCBR. The goal of the collaboration is to facilitate contacts between startups and international partners and industry institutions, as well as joint efforts to promote the importance of the space sector and innovative technological solutions in the economy.
This collaboration will begin as part of the Space Tech Acceleration Program, for which Akces NCBR is currently accepting applications (until October 12, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.) dedicated to the space technology sector and implemented in cooperation with the Industrial Development Agency S.A. (ARP) —the operator of the ESA BIC Poland incubation program—and the Polish Space Agency (POLSA). The program offers support to startups with innovative solutions in the field of space technology in the form of business mentoring and a non-repayable grant of 300,000 PLN.
The agreement is long-term in nature—both parties have expressed their openness to joint activities during future editions of the programs and to expanding the scope of their cooperation to include new initiatives and partners. The agreement aims to make optimal use of the potential for cooperation between Akces NCBR and Scanway in order to provide startups with support at every stage of their development—from incubation through acceleration to market launch.
Scanway S.A. is a company with a global reach and a leading representative of the New Space movement (the company is Poland’s leading exporter of space technology). A few days ago, the Company announced a new strategy for 2026–2028, which sets the direction for its further development. The long-term goal is to join the ranks of the world’s largest commercial optical payload integrators. By the end of 2028, the company plans to be among the largest prime contractors for optical payloads in Europe.
The partnership between Akces NCBR and Scanway S.A. combines expertise in space technology with know-how in accelerating young, innovative startups. The management boards of both organizations emphasize the importance of working together to develop the space sector in Poland.
The space sector in Poland is growing in strength, and as a result, new challenges and development needs are emerging for startups. Through our partnership with Scanway S.A., we are gaining not only a partner with a well-established technological position but also a source of practical knowledge that will help us better support young companies in this industry as they commercialize their solutions. – emphasized Arleta Malasińska, President of Akces NCBR.
– I’m glad we can help build a young space innovation ecosystem in Poland. I fully understand how crucial it is to provide expert guidance early on in a business’s development—we received that support ourselves, and today we feel we should share our knowledge, support young people, and inspire them. That’s how I see our role. – says Jędrzej Kowalewski, President of the Management Board of Scanway S.A. “I believe that combining Scanway’s experience in commercializing space technologies with the potential of the NCBR’s Akces acceleration programs will create real opportunities for the growth of young companies in the New Space sector ,” he concludes.
Media Contact
Akces NCBR
Martyna Wojenka
Communications Specialist,
Akces NCBR
667 582 495
Scanway S.A.
Katarzyna Żądło
+48 661 601 402
k.zadlo@scanway.pl
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Akces NCBR, LLC It is a company established by the National Center for Research and Development (NCBR), whose primary objective is to intensify efforts aimed at commercializing innovations resulting from research and development (R&D). This objective is achieved through the implementation of acceleration programs. Akces NCBR conducts acceleration activities that stand out on the Polish market due to their unique combination of mentoring support and funding (in the form of grants).
Akces NCBR has a high-quality pool of mentors, which serves as a unique support tool for startups. By bringing together the knowledge and experience of experts from Poland and abroad, the program fosters an environment conducive to the dynamic growth of young companies. The diversity of specializations and industries, combined with the mentors’ high level of expertise, significantly enhances the appeal of Akces NCBR’s offerings. Akces programs align with the forward-looking development directions of the Polish economy and address current socio-economic needs. For more information: http:// akces-ncbr.pl
Scanway S.A. is a Polish company that has been in business for over 9 years. It specializes in the optical data chain, which includes data acquisition, processing, analytics, and event prediction based on that data. In the Space segment, it provides both hardware solutions (optical instruments, such as telescopes and cameras) and imaging analytics. In the Industry segment, it offers solutions (products) based on image data processing, including complete quality control systems. The Company’s expertise and experience in both fields are complementary and create synergies. Scanway strives to provide its customers with full access to key optical data in both segments.
As one of a dozen or so companies worldwide, Scanway has developed a complete line of optoelectronic products for Earth observation from orbit. The company carries out key contracts for space equipment in Poland and around the world, including for commercial clients.
The company has completed over 40 quality control implementations in the industrial sector. As a technology partner to the sector’s largest manufacturers, it develops proprietary software solutions using AI and advanced applications for Industry 4.0.
In October 2023, the Company made its debut on the NewConnect market. It has fully achieved the goals announced in its initial public offering and is currently preparing to move to the Main Market of the Warsaw Stock Exchange. For more information: https://scanway.pl/