From Ikarus to AI – 25 Years of Startups in Poland. We’ve Built a European Leader — Who Will Take the Baton Next? [Salto Talks Podcast]

Welcome to the first episode of the Salto Talks Podcast, hosted by Piotr Nejman.

Poland as an innovation hub is no longer a dream — it is a fact confirmed by the activity of the startup ecosystem and the country’s growing position on the European technology map.

But are we ready for the next quarter of the 21st century? And will Generation Z want to take the baton in the innovation relay?

In the premiere episode of Salto Talks, Piotr Nejman welcomes Maciej Sadowski — co-founder of Startup Hub Poland, venture partner at Starfinder Capital Fund, and one of the most experienced startup experts in Poland.

This is not just another conversation about technology. It is a deep analysis of the state of Polish entrepreneurship. With his characteristic eloquence and a philosophical touch, Maciek explains why building a startup is more like “earthworks in the mud” than a superhero movie.

In this episode you will learn:

🔹 How did Poland build a European leader?
25 years of the startup ecosystem — from red Ikarus buses on the streets of Warsaw to the highest-ranked Polish hub in the Financial Times ranking and #1 in mentoring in Europe.

🔹 Will Gen Z carry the innovation baton?
About access to free knowledge, but also about the persistence required not to give up after two weeks of working on a project.

🔹 The Sadowski Test:
How to brutally verify your idea using AI — and why many current businesses are just functions that will soon be “eaten” by language models.

🔹 Poland as “Southern Scandinavia”:
Are we really becoming the region’s technological champion — and what must we do to keep the best founders here?

🔹 The Renaissance of the Humanities:
Why in the age of algorithms, etiquette, culture, and broad intellectual horizons will become the most valuable currency on the job market.