National Digitalization Strategy: a catalyst for investment. BGK supports companies in financing secure technologies

The National Digitalization Strategy through 2035, adopted by the Council of Ministers, sets the course for Poland’s digital transformation, combining the development of modern technologies with cybersecurity, resilience, and technological sovereignty. During a meeting for entrepreneurs, organized jointly by the Ministry of Digital Affairs and Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, it was explained how the government’s strategic goals can translate into corporate investments and what financial instruments are available to entrepreneurs developing technologies that are important for the economy’s security and competitiveness.

The strategy establishes a long-term framework for the digital transformation of the state and the economy. Its implementation requires not only efficient public services and the development of digital skills, but also investments in cybersecurity, data infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and technologies that strengthen the state’s resilience. Entrepreneurs who develop and scale technological solutions - including dual-use ones - play an important role in this process.

This direction complements the government’s #PolskaInwestuje (#Polandinvests) initiative. Five economic programmes are designed to increase the scale of investment, support modern industry and future technologies, and create better conditions for the growth of Polish companies. BGK supports these priorities with a comprehensive system of financial instruments that help entrepreneurs move from the idea and development of technology to larger investments and scaling up their operations.

Digitalization is one of the most important prerequisites for the development and competitiveness of the Polish economy today. But modern technologies must go hand in hand with security. That is why we want Polish companies to have access not only to technology, but also to financing that will allow them to develop solutions that enhance Poland’s resilience, cybersecurity, and technological independence. - Krzysztof Gawkowski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs

The ubiquity of digital services - without which a modern economy cannot function today - is redefining the meaning of critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, the growing need to ensure security means that the economy today requires more innovation, in the form of new technologies and production capabilities, both in the defense sector and in dual-use solutions. These are sectors that increasingly combine national resilience, business competitiveness, and the development of modern industry. That is why BGK has developed a comprehensive system of financial instruments to support companies that are already active in this area or wish to join the supply chains of these economic sectors. - Prof. Marta Postuła, First Vice President of BGK

BGK presented entrepreneurs with a package of instruments offering a full spectrum of financing options for projects critical to the economy’s security and competitiveness. Equity financing can support the development and scaling of technologies, loans enable larger investments, guarantees facilitate access to credit, and a loan bonus reduces the cost of the project.

Security and Defense Fund

One of the key elements of this offering is the Security and Defense Fund (an allocation from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan totaling approximately 23 billion PLN). Its goal is to support initiatives that strengthen the country’s security and resilience. Support is provided through two models: in the form of loans administered directly by BGK (approximately 16 billion PLN) and equity investments carried out by Chrobry S.A. (approximately 7 billion PLN).

Loans granted directly by BGK can support projects carried out by businesses, including investments related to cybersecurity, the development of production capacity, and the strengthening of the security and operational continuity of critical infrastructure. The importance of digital projects is also confirmed by the applications submitted so far by the municipal sector. Local government units, in addition to investments in shelters, prioritize digital threats (42 per cent of all applications - the highest percentage among all categories), recognizing their impact on infrastructure operations and the effectiveness of crisis response measures.

The Security and Defense Fund capital component (approximately 7 billion PLN), implemented by Chrobry S.A., is aimed at projects of strategic importance for Poland’s security, resilience, and technological sovereignty. The company can support both early-stage startups and mature enterprises in the scaling phase, including projects in the areas of cybersecurity, dual-use infrastructure, and business modernization.

Special conditions for the de minimis guarantee

Another instrument is the de minimis guarantee under special terms for loan financing for companies in the defense sector and companies manufacturing dual-use goods. BGK has introduced special terms in the de minimis guarantee for entrepreneurs implementing defense-related projects or manufacturing dual-use products. The guarantee may cover up to 80 percent of the principal amount of the loan when financing licensed activities conducted in the defense industry by businesses holding a license for such activities, and up to 70 percent of the principal amount of the loan for businesses manufacturing dual-use goods. In both cases, the guarantee is provided free of charge to these businesses.

Bonus for dual-use investment loans

The fourth component of the system is the bonus for the manufacture of dual-use products announced by BGK. The instrument is designed to combine commercial financing with non-repayable public support. It will be aimed at micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises planning to launch or expand the production of dual-use products. The investment loan may cover up to 100 percent of the project’s eligible costs, and the maximum aid intensity will be up to 70 percent of eligible expenditures.

The bonus will operate under a model familiar to entrepreneurs from other instruments implemented by BGK, such as the Technology Loan or the Environmental Loan. A company will obtain an investment loan from a bank cooperating with BGK, and after the project is successfully completed and its objectives are achieved, BGK will disburse the bonus to be used for partial repayment of the loan principal. The call for applications will begin on October 29 of this year.