Wondering how to finance your company's digitalization and technological growth in 2025? This article is a complete guide to available grants and loans for IT, helping you secure external capital for essential investments. We present specific solutions, from low-interest BGK loans and non-refundable innovation grants to tax relief in the Polish Investment Zone. Discover which funding for companies is perfectly suited for your plans and how to effectively prepare an application to gain a competitive edge.
Table of contents
Introduction
• Non-repayable grants for innovation – How to obtain a grant for digital transformation and R&D?
• Polish Tech Bridges (PAIH) – Grants for the development of e-commerce and online sales in foreign markets
• Polish Investment Zone (SSEZ) – An alternative to grants: Invest in IT and pay lower taxes
Introduction
In today's economy, investments in new technologies and digitalization are no longer an option but a necessity for Polish enterprises to maintain their competitiveness. However, digital transformation, process automation, and the development of innovative IT products require significant financial outlays. Fortunately, 2025 abounds with numerous opportunities to acquire external capital. A wide range of support forms is available – from low-interest loans, through non-repayable grants for innovation, to significant tax reliefs.
This article is a comprehensive guide created for entrepreneurs seeking specific and verified information about business financing. Based on the latest data, we will present the detailed conditions of programs offered by key institutions, such as Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK), the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), and the Suwałki Special Economic Zone (SSEZ). If you are planning to implement an ERP system, invest in cybersecurity, or are looking for EU funds for the technological development of businesses, this material will provide you with the necessary knowledge to make strategic decisions.
Map of 2025 funding for the IT industry: From loans to tax reliefs
Choosing the right financial instrument is a strategic decision that can determine the pace of a company's development, especially in the dynamic technology sector. In 2025, Polish entrepreneurs have a wide spectrum of possibilities at their disposal, extending far beyond traditional bank loans. From low-interest, secure loans for digitalization, through the most sought-after non-repayable grants for innovation, to the long-term benefits of tax exemptions – each of these forms of support has its own specifics. The following overview is a map that will help you navigate this landscape and identify the most advantageous financing path for your planned projects.
EU loans from BGK – Proven financing for a company's technological development
Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) plays a key role in distributing repayable financial instruments, which are a stable and easily accessible source of capital for development. EU loans are characterized by simplified procedures and preferential terms, such as a fixed, attractive interest rate and no commission for granting the financing. For companies in the IT sector, two dedicated programs are of particular interest.
Loan for digitalization – Funding for the implementation of ERP / CRM systems and e-business
This program is a direct response to the needs of companies planning a digital transformation. It is an ideal solution for enterprises that want to implement, expand, or modernize their IT systems.
Program details:
• Maximum support amount: Up to PLN 1,500,000.
• Interest rate: Fixed, on terms more favorable than market rates, amounting to 2% per annum (or on market terms).
• Own contribution: Not required.
• Repayment period: Up to 7 years, with the possibility of a 6-month grace period for principal repayment.
• Financing objectives: Investments in the digitalization of production or processes, development of products and services based on ICT (e-business), and the general application of information and communication technologies to improve business efficiency.
Loan for innovation – Technology credit for new products and services
For companies whose goal is not only digitalization but also the implementation of breakthrough innovations, BGK offers a dedicated loan for innovation. This technology credit supports the development and competitiveness of enterprises by financing innovative solutions.
Program details:
• Maximum support amount: Up to PLN 1,500,000.
• Interest rate: On preferential terms – 2% per annum (or market rate).
• Own contribution: No own contribution is required.
• Scope of support: Financing the implementation of innovations in products, services, processes, as well as organizational and marketing innovations within the enterprise. Importantly, up to 50% of the loan value can be allocated to working capital expenditures.
Non-repayable grants for innovation – How to obtain a grant for digital transformation and R&D?
Grants, i.e. non-repayable funding, are the most desirable form of support for enterprises. In the outlook for 2025, specialized programs are available that allow for financing advanced projects in the areas of IT, automation, and research and development.
Dig.IT digitalization grants – Your path to automation, AI, and cybersecurity
The "Dig.IT. Digital Transformation" program is a grant aimed at companies that want to modernize their production and service processes, as well as the processes that directly support them, such as design, warehousing, logistics, quality control, or sales.
Program details:
• Grant value: From PLN 150,000 to PLN 850,000.
• Funding intensity: The aid does not exceed 50% of the project's eligible costs.
• Areas of support: The project must fit into one of the supported areas of digital transformation: automation, use of AI and machine learning, cloud solutions, digital sales, cybersecurity, or human resources management using IT solutions.
• Cost structure: The financing obligatorily covers the purchase and implementation of digital technologies. Optionally, it can finance employee training, the purchase of necessary fixed assets, and materials (up to 40% of eligible costs).
Development of R&D potential – European funds for research and development 2025
For companies that not only implement ready-made technologies but also create their own innovations, support for the development of research and development infrastructure is provided. The aim is to stimulate the creation of innovative products and services.
Program details:
• Program objective: Creating or developing R&D infrastructure through investments in apparatus, equipment, and other infrastructure.
• What can be financed: Industrial robots, measuring devices, test stands, and specialized software.
• Project funding range: The minimum value of eligible expenditures is PLN 150,000, and the maximum is PLN 6,000,000.
Polish tech bridges (PAIH) – Grants for the development of e-commerce and online sales in foreign markets
The Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) runs the "Polish Tech Bridges" program, which aims to support the internationalization of Polish companies with an innovative product, service, or technology. This is a unique opportunity for IT sector companies to receive a grant for expansion into selected non-EU markets.
How does the PAIH grant work? Domestic and foreign stages
The project is divided into two key stages that comprehensively prepare the company for entering a new market.
• Domestic stage (3 months)
This is a non-cash stage. It includes a 3-day workshop to expand knowledge about a given market, substantive support from experts and Foreign Trade Offices, and the preparation of a professional export strategy (up to 40 hours of consultation with an expert).
• Foreign stage (9 months)
This involves implementing the prepared strategy and is a cash-based stage. The entrepreneur receives a reimbursement of incurred costs while carrying out trips, participating in fairs, and trade missions in the target market.
Who can benefit and what can the 180,000 PLN grant be used for?
Companies meeting specific criteria can apply for a grant of up to PLN 180,000.
• Conditions for applicants
SME status, conducting business activity in Poland for at least 2 years, having an innovative product, service, or technology, and documented experience in exporting (a minimum of 3% of revenue).
• Catalog of eligible costs (foreign stage)
The funding can be allocated, among others, to:
- Costs of obtaining intellectual property protection abroad.
- Costs of participation in fairs and conferences (e.g. purchase of space, stand construction, plane tickets, accommodation).
- Costs of information and promotional activities.
- Translation costs.
Polish investment zone (SSEZ) – An alternative to grants: Invest in IT and pay lower taxes
The Polish Investment Zone, managed in north-eastern Poland by the Suwałki Special Economic Zone S.A., offers another, but very powerful form of support – exemption from income tax (CIT or PIT). This is an excellent solution for companies planning new investments, which can be carried out anywhere, including on private land belonging to the entrepreneur.
What IT projects qualify for support in the Polish investment zone?
Support is not limited only to the manufacturing sector. Companies from selected service sectors, which are key from the perspective of IT development, can also benefit.
• Supported service industries
Activities qualifying for aid include IT services (software, consulting), data processing, hosting, research and development services, architectural and engineering services, and call centers.
• Definition of a new investment
To obtain support, the project must be a "new investment", which is broadly understood as:
- Increasing the production capacity of an existing plant.
- Diversification of production by introducing new products.
- A fundamental change in the production process.
In the Podlaskie Voivodeship and in the Ełk and Gołdap poviats, public aid is the highest in the country and can reach up to 70% of the investment's eligible costs for micro and small enterprises. The support decision is issued for a period of 15 years.
How to effectively write a funding application for digitalization? Key tips
Obtaining funding is a process that requires careful preparation. The key to success is not only an innovative idea but also a perfectly prepared application that will convince the evaluators of the project's value.
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Understanding the criteria – How to pass the formal and substantive evaluation?
For example, the application evaluation process for the "1.1 FEPD - R&D Podlaskie" path is a two-stage process. First, formal criteria are verified, such as the completeness of the documentation, the timeliness of the submission, and the eligibility of the applicant. Successfully passing this stage qualifies the project for a substantive evaluation. This, in turn, is divided into general criteria, which must be fully met, and scoring criteria, which are subject to a point-based assessment and determine the place on the ranking list. For a project to be recommended for funding, it must obtain at least 50% of the possible points.
The key to success: Knowledge of the evaluation criteria
A thorough knowledge of the scoring criteria is absolutely crucial for a positive review of the application. An analysis of the entire process shows that it is not enough to just have an innovative idea – it must also be properly presented and shaped to maximize the number of points scored.
Many criteria are relatively easy to meet, provided that one is aware of their existence well in advance. For example:
• Enhancing competencies
A project that includes enhancing the competencies of the management staff in areas related to R&D, technology transfer, or digital transformation can receive an additional 5 points.
• Participation in research
Documented participation in the research of the appropriate units is another 3 points.
These are examples of conditions that can be easily overlooked without prior knowledge, thus losing valuable points.
Time is of the essence
An even more important issue is that some criteria cannot be met if we only become interested in them when the call for applications is announced. They require long-term planning and actions taken many months before submitting the application. A good example is:
• Experience in R&D work
To obtain 10 points in this criterion, the applicant must document expenditures on R&D activities by submitting the PNT-01 form for the previous financial year (in this case, for 2024). If the company did not conduct and report such activities previously, it is no longer possible to make up for this requirement at the time of submitting the application.
• Form of cooperation
Establishing cooperation in the form of a consortium is highly scored. The creation of a consortium itself is awarded 5 points. Significantly more can be gained if the partner in the consortium is a domestic or foreign research organization (which gives an additional 8 or 10 points, respectively) or an enterprise from a national key cluster (an additional 5 points). This is a time-consuming process that requires negotiation and formalization, so it must be planned well in advance.
A strategic approach to the criteria is decisive for the final result. With such a large number of scoring criteria, sometimes a project that is on the borderline of the point threshold can be rejected.
However, even seemingly minor but well-thought-out actions can tip the scales in the applicant's favor. Including aspects in the project such as a positive environmental impact, plans to enhance staff competencies, establishing research cooperation, or even documented prior participation in the research of the appropriate units, can provide crucial points. It is these additional elements that often decide the "to be or not to be" for funding, raising the project's score above the required threshold.
Therefore, it is crucial to start preparations for submitting the application as early as possible, preferably with the support of experts. This not only helps to avoid formal errors but, above all, allows for strategic planning of activities and shaping the project in such a way as to fully utilize its potential in the substantive evaluation.
How to describe the project precisely?
The project description must be specific, supported by data, and, most importantly, perfectly tailored to the application filling instructions. An innovative idea is only half the success – the other half is the ability to sell it to the evaluation panel. Knowledge of the detailed guidelines for specific programs is absolutely key here.
Often, the instruction in the application sounds simple, for example: "Describe the applicant's previous experience in conducting export activities". However, the instruction for this field specifies that one should provide specific foreign markets, products, the start date of export, the number of years, and, most importantly, the revenue value generated from each of these markets. Without knowing this instruction, the answer would be incomplete, and the project would lose valuable points right from the start. It is also crucial to provide a detailed justification for the choice of target markets and to present the product's competitive advantages, including a comparison of its quality features and price with the offerings of international competitors. Without prior knowledge of these requirements, preparing such detailed data "at the last minute" is very difficult.
Compliance with Horizontal Principles (Equality, Environmental protection) in an IT project
Modern projects must comply with the fundamental principles of the European Union. At first glance, requirements concerning gender equality or environmental protection may seem distant from the core of an IT project. However, meeting them often does not require fundamental changes to the project, but rather cleverness, experience, and knowledge of the instructions that allow for the proper presentation of the planned activities.
The key is knowing how to translate standard actions into the language and requirements specified in the regulations, while remaining truthful. For example, a project concerning participation in international fairs can demonstrate compliance with the 6R principle (refuse, reduce, reuse, recover, recycle) in a surprisingly simple way. It is enough to describe the planned logistical actions in the application, such as reusing stand construction elements, reducing the use of packaging for transporting exhibits, or renting standard, rather than custom-made, structures. For an inexperienced applicant, these are insignificant operational details. For an expert – these are easy points to score.
The same applies to equality principles. The application must refer to specific legal acts, such as the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights or the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Often, it is sufficient to ensure the project's neutrality towards these principles and consciously indicate that its implementation will not violate any of the articles, which proves that the applicant understands and respects these regulations. This shows that success in this part of the application depends not on revolutionary changes in the project, but on knowing what, where, and how to write.
Expert support in obtaining funds and implementing IT projects
The process of preparing a funding application, as shown above, is complicated and requires not only substantive knowledge but also experience in navigating formal requirements. For many entrepreneurs, this can be a barrier that discourages them from reaching for available funds. This is precisely where a specialized technology partner comes to the rescue.
As the software house 2N IT, we have not only the knowledge but also an extensive network of contacts and practical capabilities to support your company at every stage of this process. We offer comprehensive assistance in preparing the application documentation – from precise costing and creating a substantive description of the planned solutions, to the final formulation of the application that will maximize the chances of success. Moreover, our role does not end with obtaining funding. We are ready for the comprehensive implementation of the intended technological goals, ensuring that the vision presented in the application is realized efficiently and professionally. Cooperation with us is a guarantee of consistency between the documentation and the actual implementation, which is important for the proper settlement of the grant.
Summary
The year 2025 brings Polish entrepreneurs a wide spectrum of opportunities for financing technological and IT development. Key options include low-interest Loans for Digitalization and Innovation from BGK, non-repayable Dig.IT Digitalization Grants and grants for R&D development, specialized PAIH grants for international expansion, as well as very favorable tax exemptions in the Polish Investment Zone.
Success in obtaining funding is rarely a matter of chance. Most often, it is the result of strategic actions taken long before the official announcement of the call for applications. Many evaluation criteria are not just a matter of describing the project well, but also of documenting the company's previous activities and achievements. Understanding what exactly is scored allows one to consciously build up a higher score, often through simple but little-known actions that can determine qualification for the next stage.
The variety of available instruments allows for matching the source of financing to the specific needs and scale of the project – from purchasing software, through production automation, to building a new R&D center. The key to success is a thorough analysis of the regulations of individual programs and careful preparation of the application. We encourage you to undertake this effort, because a well-planned and financed investment in technology is a sure step towards building a sustainable competitive advantage in the market.
