WUT IF, or what exactly is it?

The goal of the fund is to invest in deep-tech companies created by teams from the Warsaw University of Technology and other Polish universities.

The Warsaw University of Technology Investment Factory (WUT IF) is distinguished by its close collaboration with universities, which allows for early access to innovative companies, a focus on technological and research innovations (deep-tech) that enable the development of products with a technological edge, and a network of contacts that bridges the needs of investors with the research and technological expertise of the academic community. Through cooperation with the Warsaw University of Technology, WUT IF has access to academic resources: experts from WUT, research teams, and unique equipment. The fund also provides a reliable assessment of technology potential. Additionally, WUT IF is the first venture capital fund in Poland to actively promote ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) aspects, being a so-called ‘light green’ fund.

The team consists of experts with experience in the capital market, science, and technology: Karol Matczak, CFA CIIA PRM – an investment advisor and broker with many years of experience in capital market management, investments, business angel, and entrepreneur; Prof. Robert Sitnik – a researcher associated with the Warsaw University of Technology, innovator, and entrepreneur with experience in creating companies that develop and commercialize deep-tech technologies; Jakub Wojciechowski, CFA – an investment advisor and broker with many years of experience in the financial market, entrepreneur, business angel; and Paweł Zych – associated with the Warsaw University of Technology for over 10 years, responsible for indirect commercialization, manager of many R&D projects.

– According to Prof. Robert Sitnik – thanks to WUT IF research teams will be able to commercialize their technologies and develop new products within a single environment associated with the Warsaw University of Technology in an atmosphere of trust and friendliness. They will be able to focus on the hard work related to product development and customer interactions, increasing the likelihood of business success.

– The VC fund represents a significant opportunity and challenge for the Warsaw University of Technology and the entire academic community in Poland – comments Karol Matczak. – Thanks to the involvement of individuals associated with the university and professionals from the capital market, the university is changing its approach to business processes. The objective is to build a community of entrepreneurial individuals who want to commercialize research and develop business skills. The fund is market-oriented, focusing on achieving attractive returns for investors, while its softer goal is to support leaders from the early stages of their research activities so they can successfully develop their businesses.

– The WUT IF team possesses diverse and complementary skills, from experience in establishing and developing deep-tech companies, through investment market experience, to expertise in incubation and startup creation at the Warsaw University of Technology – adds Prof. Robert Sitnik.

The fund aims to aid in the commercialization of the work outcomes, including teams from the Warsaw University of Technology

The inauguration ceremony

The official launch of the WUT IF fund took place on January 31, 2024, in the Small Hall of the Main Building of the Warsaw University of Technology. This event provided an opportunity to learn more about the initiative's objectives, meet its creators, and establish or strengthen scientific and business contacts. Attendees included the State Secretary at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education Maria Mrówczyńska, the Rector of the Medical University of Warsaw Prof. Zbigniew Gaciong, the Rector of the Warsaw School of Economics Prof. Piotr Wachowiak, the Rector of the Cracow University of Technology Prof. Andrzej Szarata, representatives of companies, as well as staff and students of the Warsaw University of Technology. As emphasized by the Rector of the Warsaw University of Technology Prof. Krzysztof Zaremba, the WUT IF fund is intended to help leverage the potential of our University.

– We have many achievements, but we have not been the best at implementing them – said the Rector of the Warsaw University of Technology. – And that is one of the three pillars of the university – alongside teaching and research. (...) When the initiative to create our own venture capital fund came up, my response to the question 'do we do it?' was almost instantaneous (...) I deeply believe that in a year, two, three years, we will be able to boast that new companies have emerged from the Warsaw University of Technology.

– The fund is meant to support the activity of academic technological companies at an early stage of development – indicated the Vice-Rector for Development at the Warsaw University of Technology, Prof. Adam Woźniak.

He mentioned that this is another effort towards integrating science with business and that thanks to it, the Warsaw University of Technology has the chance to join the premier league of universities. The WUT IF itself was created following the model of funds operating in the West, including those at American universities.

– We are at the Warsaw University of Technology, so there are wonderful people here, and we will definitely succeed – said Karol Matczuk from the fund's team.

Among the guests present at the inauguration was the State Secretary at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Maria Mrówczyńska