We are excited to welcome one of two new Effective Member to ENoLL following the August 2015 General Assembly held during OpenLivingLab Days 2015; Krakow Technology Park from Poland.

Krakow Technology Park is one of the key actors in co-creating and implementing the Regional Innovation Strategy and promoting smart specialization and user-driven innovation approaches in the region. It was established in 1997 as the joint initiative of city authorities, Malopolska regional authorities and Krakow’s three largest universities: Krakow University of Technology, AGH – UST University of Science and Technology and the Jagiellonian University.

Krakow Technology Park, as a unit responsible for managing not only the special technology park and incubator but also a special economic zone in Regions of Malopolska and Podkarpacie is focusing on internationalization of activities, especially when it comes to the small businesses which are supported by KTP along with medium and big companies. KPT mission is to support businesses at all stages, so they can develop by collaborating with one another. The scope of services for businesses includes the possibility of financing innovative projects as part of the KTP Seed Fund. Companies may count on free-of-charge advisory services, and training on managing business and developing the technological aspects of enterprises using advantage of up to date multimedia laboratories and studios run by KPT. Businesses that have already developed and are ready to implement new investments received from the KTP an opportunity to acquire public aid from the title of operation within the special economic zone (SEZ), together with a package of related services.

KTP collaborates very actively with regional and local government, universities, NGO’s, business sector and local community, at the time when straight conversation and new approaches are needed to stimulate economy development and implement innovations. KPT plays a significant role as regional enabler and facilitator of innovative driven approach to smart city development. Development of innovative user centered and sustainable new public services for increasing the quality of life and wellbeing within different domains (people, living, mobility, e-governance, economy, environment) and targeted to different user groups (elderly, children, students, unemployed people, NGOs  and so on) using potential of experience, know-how and infrastructure of stakeholders: businesses, administration, universities is our advantage.

KTP has been an Associated Member of the European Network of Living Labs for a number of years so it is with great pleasure that they join ENoLL as an official Living Lab in the 9th Wave and become an Effective Member. We look forward to collaboring closely with them over the coming years.

Their profile will be uploaded into the ENoLL Living Lab repository this week where you will be able to discover more of the Living Lab activities of KTP.