IWAK

What IWAK does

IWAK (International Women's Association of Kraków) is a community-based women's association founded in 2017 and domiciled in Kraków, Poland. It serves internationally-minded women living in or relocating to Kraków, organizing networking events, interest-group activities (book clubs, dance classes, brunches, cultural walks), and charitable projects supporting local beneficiaries including the Centre for Autism, University Children's Hospital in Prokocim, the Women's Rights Centre (Centrum Praw Kobiet), and the Kraków Animal Care Association. The organization reached 65+ members in 2023-24 from approximately 20 nationalities, having roughly doubled its membership from the prior year, and operates events across venues including Sheraton Kraków and multiple city restaurants.

IWAK is governed by an elected committee of seven members under a horizontal leadership structure and has no parent company, no institutional funding, and no commercial shareholders. As of October 1, 2023, the organization discontinued its prior 100 PLN annual membership fee and transitioned to a fully voluntary, free participation model, returning fees collected in August-September 2023. Where used, pricing is limited to nominal event ticket charges (e.g., 50 PLN for some welcome mixers); charity proceeds are donated in full to beneficiaries. Cumulative documented charity impact totals tens of thousands of PLN across multiple years, including approximately 70,000 PLN mobilized for displaced Ukrainians in 2022.

The organization's technology footprint is minimal: a WordPress-based website at iwak.pl, a Facebook Group serving as the primary social hub, email newsletters distributed by a committee team, and Zoom for virtual gatherings during the COVID-19 period. There is no proprietary product, no AI/ML capability, no app, and no API surface. Marketing and member acquisition are organic, driven by word-of-mouth referrals, member testimonials, community events, and the Facebook Group; there is no formal sales motion. IWAK therefore operates as a volunteer-run, community-first association whose outputs are social capital and charitable fundraising rather than commercial revenue.

Name

IWAK

Legal name

International Women's Association of Kraków

Website

https://iwak.pl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Short description

IWAK is a Kraków-based community association founded in 2017 that organizes networking events, interest groups, and charity projects for international women living in Kraków. Governed by a seven-member volunteer committee, it has 65+ members from 20 countries and has run on a free, voluntary model since October 2023.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kraków

HQ country

Poland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Former Membership Fees: Previously charged membership fees (100 PLN annually) to cover administration costs, with leftover funds supporting events and charity goals. As of October 1, 2023, IWAK discontinued membership fees and transitioned to voluntary participation.
2. Charity Fundraising: IWAK organizes charity events (gala balls, festive fundraisers) that raise funds for local Kraków beneficiaries. Proceeds from ticket sales, raffles, and auctions are donated to charitable causes including the Centre for Autism, University Children's Hospital, and Women's Rights Centre.
3. Event Revenue: Some events have ticket prices (e.g., 50 PLN for welcome mixers) that cover venue and refreshment costs. Events are offered to both members and non-members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IWAK is a community-based association based in Kraków, Poland that brings together international women living in the city through regular in-person gatherings, interest-based activity groups (book clubs, dancehall classes, book swap), and charity projects. The organization hosts events such as coffee mornings, brunches, cultural walks, expert webinars, and annual charity galas that raise funds for local beneficiaries including children's hospitals, autism centers, women's shelters, and animal shelters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IWAK Community Membership A free community membership program (since October 2023) that brings together international women of all ages and backgrounds living in Kraków, providing a platform for sharing experiences, making connections, and participating in events and activities. Membership grants access to events, interest groups, and the broader community.
• IWAK Events Regular in-person networking and social gatherings for international women in Kraków, including coffee mornings, brunches, cultural walks, welcome mixers, and online webinars. Some events carry nominal ticket prices (e.g., 50 PLN for welcome mixers).
• IWAK Interest Groups Small-group activity clubs for members based on shared interests, including the Book Club, Dancehall classes, Book Swap Group, and Cooking Club. Designed to foster regular engagement among members with similar hobbies.
• IWAK Charity Projects Annual charity galas and fundraisers (e.g., Charity Masquerade Ball, Golden Charity Christmas Party, Let It Glow Festive Fundraiser) that raise funds and collect in-kind donations for local Kraków beneficiaries including children's hospitals, autism centers, women's shelters, and animal shelters.

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Kraków Animal Care Association and ShelterminorOthers · 1 January 2022IWAK's 2022 charity beneficiary. The Let It Glow Festive Fundraiser raised funds and in-kind donations (pet food, blankets, toys, accessories) for the shelter housing hundreds of homeless animals.
• Centrum Praw Kobiet (Women's Rights Centre)coreOthers · 1 January 2020New beneficiary starting 2020-2021. IWAK donated PLN 3,700 cash plus bedding, clothes, baby furniture, electronics, toys and play equipment to help establish the Centre's emergency shelter for women and children escaping domestic violence.
• NoHate FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Volunteering partnership with an organization providing meals to the homeless. IWAK members participate in weekly soup and sandwich preparation and distribution, with events organized in English for international volunteers.
• Centre for Autism and Complex Development DisabilitiescoreOthers · 7 December 2019Multi-year charity partnership. IWAK raised PLN 10,000 for the Centre's kitchen/dining renovations (2019) and previously funded sensory integration room (PLN 10,000) and computer lab upgrades (2017-2018). The Centre provides educational services to students with autism spectrum disorders.
• University Children's Hospital in ProkocimcoreOthers · 1 December 2018IWAK raised PLN 35,000 at the 2018 Charity Masquerade Ball to purchase foldout beds for parents staying with hospitalized children. The hospital is the largest paediatric facility in south Poland with nearly 500 beds.
• O Zdrowie Dziecka (For the Health of the Child)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018The hospital's own charity foundation partnered with IWAK for the foldout beds initiative. Both organizations committed to the goal of providing a bed for parents next to each of the 500 children's beds in the entire hospital.
• Sheraton KrakówminorOthersVenue partner for IWAK events including rooftop terrace welcome mixers, coffee mornings, and the 2018 Charity Masquerade Ball. Events held at Sheraton Grand Kraków.
• Żegota (Council to Aid Jews)minorOthersHistorical reference only - mentioned in context of Irena Sendler's wartime activities. IWAK does not have an active partnership with this organization.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• InterNations: InterNations is the largest global expat community network, operating local chapters in cities worldwide including Kraków. Like IWAK, it brings together international residents for networking, social events, and community integration, though at much larger scale and with a paid membership model.

Others

• Expatica: Expatica is a media and community platform serving international residents across multiple European countries. It is comparable to IWAK in serving the same expat community in Kraków and other European cities, providing integration support and social connection resources.
• Meetup: Meetup is a platform enabling local community groups to organize in-person events. While not a direct women's community, it is comparable as an enabler of the kind of small-group community events IWAK organizes, and competes for the same attention and participation of socially active expats.

Broad incumbents

• Lean In: Lean In operates global women's peer circles focused on professional and personal development. While global in scale rather than a single city, it shares IWAK's model of women supporting women through structured community gatherings and shared experiences.
• Ellevate Network: Ellevate Network is a women's professional networking community offering local chapter events and online programming. It is comparable to IWAK as a women-focused networking community, though with a professional development emphasis rather than IWAK's broader social and charitable mission.
• International Women's Forum: The International Women's Forum is a global membership organization of women leaders across industries and geographies. While more elite and professional in focus, it parallels IWAK's mission of connecting women internationally through structured chapters and events.

Emerging players

• Ladies Who Tech: Ladies Who Tech is a community-based organization that runs events to encourage women in technology across Asia-Pacific and beyond. Like IWAK, it operates as a volunteer-driven women's community hosting regular events, though with a sector-specific focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/groups/194914330547437

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

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 IWAK