Katowice City - live, work & invest

What Katowice City - live, work & invest does

Katowice City - live, work & invest is the investor-promotion operation of the City of Katowice (Urząd Miasta Katowice), a municipal government entity in the Silesian voivodeship of Poland, operating through its Investors Assistance Department (Wydział Obsługi Inwestorów). It serves foreign and domestic investors by acting as a one-stop shop — assigning dedicated Project Managers from initial planning through operational ramp, providing market and workforce analyses, organizing site visits, and running marketing campaigns — with the explicit goal of channeling business into the Katowice Special Economic Zone (KSSE), the city's office market, its 15-property municipal investment real estate portfolio, and dedicated infrastructure such as the Rawa.Ink business incubator and the 32,000 sqm Katowice Gaming and Technology Hub (Shaft K, opening 2028). KSSE alone has anchored over PLN 50 billion of cumulative investment value and 100,000+ jobs and was recognized by fDi Intelligence as the best SEZ in Europe in 2024.

The underlying "product" is not a single technology but an integrated municipal offering: (i) fiscal incentives via KSSE corporate income tax exemptions of 40–60% of investment costs (or two-year employment costs) for 14–15 years, plus real estate tax exemptions under Resolution LXXIV/1543/24 and Powiat Labor Office subsidies for employment and training; (ii) infrastructure — 742,000 sqm of office supply (4th largest regional market in Poland), the 88.2-hectare KSSE area, and EU-co-financed Shaft K facilities; (iii) smart-city platforms such as KISMiA (430-camera autonomous incident detection) and AWAIR (127-sensor air-quality monitoring, the largest in Poland); and (iv) workforce pipelines developed with 19 universities (95,817 students, 23,377 graduates annually) and corporate partners including Accenture, EY, ING Hubs, Kyndryl, Fujitsu, and Sopra Steria via CRC, P-TECH, and successor programs.

The business model is municipal rather than commercial — the City of Katowice does not charge for investor assistance services and does not disclose a revenue line. Economic returns accrue via the tax base generated by attracted enterprises (corporate income, property, and local taxes), supported by a diversified investor pool spanning manufacturing (ALSTOM, AIUT, Compal, Goodram), business services (Capgemini, Sopra Steria, EY GDS, SD Worx), and technology (EPAM, Fujitsu, GlobalLogic, Keywords Studios, Kyndryl, ICEYE). Customer segments are segmented vertically across business services (BPO/SSC/GBS/IT/R&D), manufacturing and warehouse, commercial real estate, gaming and technology (via Shaft K), semiconductors/electronics (Taiwan corridor via TEEMA and TAITRA), and residential developers, with a corresponding GTM that combines field-based enterprise sales (IAD Project Managers), inside sales (one-stop-shop support), and channel partners (KSSE, PAIH, ABSL, Chamber of Commerce, GZM Metropolis).

Name

Katowice City - live, work & invest

Legal name

Urząd Miasta Katowice

Website

https://invest.katowice.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1865

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Katowice City - live, work & invest is the investor-promotion operation of Katowice City Hall in Poland, running the Investors Assistance Department to attract foreign and domestic investors via KSSE tax incentives, a one-stop shop, Rawa.Ink business incubator, and the 32,000 sqm Shaft K gaming and technology hub opening in 2028.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Katowice

HQ country

Poland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Tax Revenues from Business Investments: The primary revenue for Katowice comes from tax revenues generated by businesses operating in the city. This includes corporate income tax, property tax, and other fiscal revenues from the growing business services sector and manufacturing investments.
2. Katowice Special Economic Zone (KSSE) Investments: Over PLN 50 billion in investment value has been attracted through KSSE, creating over 100,000 jobs. The zone offers tax exemptions (40-60% depending on enterprise size) as an investment incentive, generating long-term tax revenue growth for the region.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The Katowice City investor portal is operated by the Investors Assistance Department (Wydział Obsługi Inwestorów) of the Katowice City Hall and provides dedicated project managers, site visits, market analyses, and marketing support to companies evaluating or establishing operations in Katowice. It connects investors with public incentives including Special Economic Zone corporate-income and real-estate tax exemptions, the Rawa.Ink business incubator, the planned Shaft K gaming and technology hub, and city-owned investment land plots.

Product overview

Katowice City - live, work & invest is a municipal investment promotion portal operated by the Wydział Obsługi Inwestorów (Investors Assistance Department). The offering consists of multiple interconnected services: the Business Incubator Rawa.Ink provides coworking and start-up support; the Katowicki Hub Gamingowo-Technologiczny (Shaft K) offers large-scale technology infrastructure for gaming and tech companies; Investment Areas and Office Market services provide commercial real estate; and workforce development programs in partnership with companies like Fujitsu, Kyndryl, and Sopra Steria support talent development. Tax incentive programs through KSEZ and labor office support complement the investment ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rawa.Ink: Miejski Inkubator Przedsiębiorczości Rawa.Ink - Business Incubator providing coworking, training, events and startup integration services
• Shaft K
• Kopalnia Start-upów
• Katowice Miastem Fachowców
• Katowicka Akademia Rozwoju Przedsiębiorcy

Products and services

• Investors Assistance Department Services (Wydział Obsługi Inwestorów)

Quantifiable outcome

• PLN 50+ billion in investment value attracted through KSSE
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers29 records

Segments6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered tactical, strategic and core.

• Experis Polska (ManpowerGroup)tacticalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Experis Polska cooperates with Katowice on cybersecurity events and professional development initiatives. Jointly organized 'Cyberatak w praktyce' meeting for IT leaders (June 2025).
• AccenturestrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 July 2025Accenture is a Corporate Readiness Certificate (CRC) program partner since 2013. Provides training sessions for university students in IT and business services. Also partner in 'Katowice, Business, and My Future' project (2022+).
• Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 July 2025TAITRA organizes trade missions and B2B meetings between Taiwanese and Polish companies. Katowice actively participates in Taiwan-focused events including Europe Business Day and Taiwan EXPO 2026.
• Silesia NovatacticalGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 February 2025Developer of Nowy Wełnowiec - multifunctional, ecological and green district of Katowice. Partner for MIPIM 2025.
• OPAL MAKSIMUMtacticalGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 February 2025One of leaders in commercial real estate market in Upper Silesia for over 25 years. Partner for MIPIM 2025.
• DL Invest GrouptacticalGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 February 2025Leader in Polish commercial real estate market with 17 years of experience and significant assets. Partner for MIPIM 2025 international real estate fair.
• ABSL (Association of Business Service Leaders)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABSL is a key partner for promoting Katowice's business services sector. The organization conducts annual reports on the business services sector in Poland and Katowice, helping position the city as a leading BSS destination. Katowice actively participates in ABSL initiatives and events.
• Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAIH supports international expansion of Polish entrepreneurs, acquires and serves foreign investors, and promotes innovation. In 2023, PAIH opened its first regional office in Katowice, strengthening local support for companies expanding abroad and foreign investors seeking opportunities in the region.
• Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolia (GZM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGZM Metropolia is an institutional partner of Katowice, consisting of 41 towns and municipalities with over 2 million inhabitants. The metropolis provides integrated public transport (Metrobilet), coordinated economic development, and shared infrastructure initiatives.
• Katowice Special Economic Zone (KSSE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKSSE is the largest special economic zone in Poland with over PLN 50 billion in investment value and 100,000+ jobs created. Recognized as best SEZ in Europe (2024). Provides tax incentives and support decisions for investors within and outside its boundaries.
• Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice (RIG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Chamber of Commerce supporting business development and networking between local companies and potential investors. Cooperates with IAD on investor support activities.
• International Business Incubator NetworkstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerRawa.Ink Business Incubator is part of this international network with partners from Saint-Etienne (France), Monastery (Tunisia), Tamatave (Madagascar), and Sierre (Switzerland). Project aims to internationalize local enterprises between participating countries.
• Silesian Startup Foundation (SSF)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilesian Startup Foundation supports the Katowice startup ecosystem and has partnered with the Kopalnia Start-upów competition (6th edition in 2026). Supports innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
• Pro ProgressiotacticalGTM or Marketing PartnerPro Progressio publishes the FOCUS ON Katowice annual report (2025 edition), providing market analysis and promoting Katowice as an investment destination.
• InfosharetacticalGTM or Marketing PartnerInfoshare is one of the largest tech conferences in CEE, held in Katowice. Promotes the city as a technology hub and attracts tech professionals and companies to the region.
• US-Polish Trade CounciltacticalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBilateral trade organization facilitating business relations between US and Polish companies. Cooperates with IAD to support US companies investing in Katowice.
• American Chamber of Commerce in Poland (AMCHAM)tacticalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAMCHAM represents American companies in Poland and facilitates business connections. Partners with Katowice for investor outreach.
• Krakow Technology Park (KPT)tacticalStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology park in neighboring Krakow that cooperates with Katowice on regional technology initiatives and startup ecosystem development.
• TEEMA (Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerFollowing March 2025 visit, TEEMA views Katowice as strategic entry point for Taiwanese manufacturers. Part of Polish ICT Triangle initiative. Compal (leading Taiwanese electronics manufacturer) has implemented first European investment project with KSSE support.
• EYstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerEY is a CRC program partner and opened EY Global Delivery Services center in Katowice (January 2026). Supports business education and workforce development initiatives.
• ING Hubs PolandstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerING Hubs Poland is a CRC program partner, providing training in banking technology and digital services. Supports development of IT and business competencies.
• KyndrylstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerKyndryl is CRC program partner and successor to IBM's P-TECH program involvement. Implements Kyndryl Future Achievers educational program in Katowice schools. Opened significant operations in Katowice.
• FujitsustrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerFujitsu implements FUJITSU Tech Programme for secondary school students (AI, cloud, cybersecurity, Python programming) and was P-TECH program co-implementer (2019-2023/24). Has long-term presence in Katowice.
• Sopra SteriastrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerSopra Steria implements Technological Career Compass program under Katowice City patronage, delivering technology lectures/workshops (AI, cybersecurity, programming) to ~550 students across 4 schools. 15 technology experts involved.
• Silesia Automotive & Advanced Manufacturing ClustertacticalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCluster collaborates with KSSE and Silesian University of Technology on dual studies program in mechanical engineering and production management.
• InCredibles (Kulczyk Foundation)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerInCredibles program of Sebastian Kulczyk is a partner of Kopalnia Start-upów competition (6th edition, 2026). Provides access to mentorship and investment network for startups.
• National Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio (NOSPR)tacticalGTM or Marketing PartnerNOSPR is a world-class concert hall and cultural landmark that hosts Hack4Music hackathon, promoting Katowice as innovation destination. UNESCO City of Music status supported by NOSPR.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Hamburg Invest: Investment promotion agency of the City of Hamburg, Germany. Comparable as an established European municipal IP agency with similar sectoral breadth (logistics, manufacturing, tech) and incentive structuring; serves as a benchmark for larger Western European city IP agencies.
• London & Partners: Municipal investment and tourism promotion agency for London. Comparable in structure and function (city-level IP promotion) at much larger scale; serves as a benchmark for international IP marketing sophistication and FDI pipeline development.
• Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB): Singapore's lead government agency for investment promotion and economic development. Globally recognized benchmark for FDI attraction strategy, incentive design, and corporate account management - useful comparator for best-in-class IP agency practice.
• PAIH (Polish Investment and Trade Agency): Polish national-level investment promotion and trade agency that cooperates with Katowice via its Regional Trade Office (opened 2023). Functions as a broader incumbent partner/cooperator with wider geographic mandate but overlapping investor-facilitation services.

Direct peers

• CzechInvest: Czech Republic's national investment promotion agency. Comparable as a Central European IP agency competing for the same FDI pool (especially German and Western European nearshoring investments) with similar incentive structuring and one-stop-shop model.
• Invest Warsaw: Capital city investment promotion agency for Warsaw, Poland's largest economic center. Competes with Katowice for headquarters functions, large BSS centers, and senior talent; comparable structure as municipal IP function with one-stop-shop investor services.
• Invest in Krakow: Municipal investment promotion agency for Krakow, Poland's other major BSS and IT hub. Directly comparable as a city-level IP agency competing for the same Polish FDI pipeline (BPO/SSC/IT), with overlapping value proposition in talent, infrastructure, and incentives.
• Wroclaw Agglomeration Development Agency (ARA Wrocław): Regional development agency for Wrocław, another major Polish BSS/IT hub. Directly comparable in scale and sectoral focus, competing with Katowice for IT services, shared services, and R&D investments across Poland.

Others

• ABSL (Association of Business Service Leaders): Industry association for Poland's BSS sector; publishes annual sector reports and works closely with city IP agencies including Katowice. Functions as an ecosystem partner/data provider rather than direct competitor, shaping the demand-side narrative for BSS FDI in Polish cities.
• TEEMA (Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association): Taiwanese industry association representing electronics/electrical manufacturers; Katowice engaged TEEMA as a strategic partner to access the Taiwanese semiconductor corridor. Functions as a channel partner enabling Asian FDI pipeline rather than a competing IP agency.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/miasto_katowice
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/KatowiceTube
• Facebookfacebook.com/Katowice.eu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/invest-in-katowice
• Instagraminstagram.com/miasto_katowice

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Katowice City - live, work & invest