Take your innovation to market with Huge Thing’s €80K Startup Booster (Sponsored)

Huge Thing, one of Central and Eastern Europe’s leading innovation accelerators, has opened applications for the Industry Test path of its flagship Startup Booster program!

The program helps startups validate and scale their solutions through collaboration with corporate leaders such as Orlen, PZU, Veolia, and Bank BNP Paribas, supported by tailored mentorship and equity-free grants up to €80,000!

Connecting startups with corporate power

Huge Thing’s Startup Booster bridges the gap between early-stage innovation and corporate needs. The program has three dedicated tracks, each designed for startups at different stages of development and growth. The Industry Test track, now open for applications, is for startups with mature products (TRL 6–9) that are ready to be deployed and tested in real-world corporate environments. Participants will work directly with leading organisations to co-develop and pilot solutions addressing key business and sustainability challenges.

“Many startups struggle to prove their value beyond prototypes. Through our program, we give them access to corporate ecosystems where their solutions can be tested, improved, and scaled,” says Maria Tyka-Majewska, Acceleration Lead at Huge Thing. “It’s about creating win-win collaborations. Startups get validation and traction, while corporations gain access to fresh innovation that directly addresses their business challenges.”

As part of the Industry Test track, startups will work closely with industry leaders, tackling some of today’s most pressing business and environmental challenges.

• Orlen, one of Europe’s leading energy companies, is seeking new technologies for thermal energy storage and precision farming sensors to boost efficiency and sustainability.
• Veolia Poland is focusing on AI-powered water quality monitoring, telemetry tools for heating systems, and circular economy solutions in waste management and energy recovery.
• PZU, the region’s largest insurer, is looking for innovations in process automation, data-driven underwriting, and pricing excellence.
• Meanwhile, BNP Paribas is exploring tools that enhance personalised communication, AI-driven customer interaction analysis, and real-time onboarding support for new clients.

Proven results from previous editions

Previous editions of the Startup Booster have already shown the impact of Huge Thing’s approach. Cybersecurity startup Riffsec and proptech startup Simpl.rent both started collaborations with PZU, one of Poland’s largest financial and insurance groups, as a result of their participation in the program. These partnerships helped the startups refine their solutions in real market conditions and speed up their commercial growth.

“These examples show how collaboration between startups and corporates can lead to measurable results,” said Maria Tyka-Majewska, and continued by adding, “Our mission is to be that bridge, by helping startups turn innovation into real business impact, and helping corporates make innovation part of their daily operations.”

A decade of corporate innovation

Huge Thing has spent more than a decade designing and running corporate innovation programs and acceleration initiatives across many industries. Over the years, it has grown from one of Poland’s first startup accelerators into a complete innovation partner for corporations, combining acceleration, ecosystem building, and strategic consulting.

Today, Huge Thing not only connects startups with enterprises but also helps large organisations design, implement, and scale innovation strategies. Its team has worked with companies such as Rossmann, Żabka, PZU, PKO Bank Polski, BNP Paribas, and Novartis, helping them define innovation priorities, launch intrapreneurship programs, and build effective frameworks for startup collaboration. Through this experience, Huge Thing has become one of the most trusted partners for innovation-driven transformation in the CEE region.

Startups from around the world can now apply for the Industry Test track of the Huge Thing Startup Booster program. Applications are open until 21 November 2025!

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