In the dynamic realm of European innovation, Anna Dymowska stands out as a transformative leader. As the Partner and Chief Operating Officer of FundingBox, she has been instrumental in shaping Poland’s position within the European startup ecosystem. Her leadership, characterized by empathy, strategic foresight, and a commitment to inclusivity, has propelled FundingBox to the forefront of deep tech innovation support across Europe.
A Leadership Philosophy Rooted in Empathy and Empowerment
Anna Dymowska’s leadership style is fundamentally participative, rooted in deep trust and a genuine commitment to serving her team. She fosters a flat organizational structure that empowers individuals and teams to take ownership, rather than relying on rigid hierarchies. This philosophy, often described as “servant leadership,” involves removing obstacles, providing resources, and ensuring that team members have everything they need to excel.
In a remote work setting, Anna embraces an intuitive leadership style, allowing her to sense emotions and unspoken needs within the team. This approach enables her to provide support through challenges and maintain strong connections, regardless of geographical distance. Her profound understanding of multicultural working environments allows her to trust her judgment in situations where pure logic might not offer a complete solution. Her focus remains steadfast on problem-solving and achieving tangible results, all underpinned by clear, company-wide processes that ensure consistency and collaboration across diverse European operations.
Introducing FundingBox: Catalyzing European Innovation
FundingBox is the leading European facilitator of cascade funding (EU grants) for startups, scaleups, SMEs, midcaps, (e)Digital Innovation Hubs, universities, and technology centers. It helps early-stage business ideas grow into champion tech solutions by offering funding opportunities, technology access, and collaborative networks with both customers and investors.
230 M€ of cascade funding under management and produced 2000 governmental funded beneficiaries. The Group has managed numerous Polish & pan-European initiatives such as IMPACT Poland, IMPACT Connected Car, Robot Union, and BEYOND (cross-border investments). It is currently coordinating the largest Financial Support for Third Parties (FSTP) project—Seeds of Bravery, a €20 million EIC-funded initiative supporting Ukraine’s tech ecosystem—and is now launching OnePass, an all-in-one European pass for funding, tech, training, and talent. Through OnePass, over €780 million in public and private funding, cutting-edge technology, top-tier training, and talent opportunities will be accessible via a unified platform.
Navigating Poland’s Evolving Innovation Ecosystem
Poland’s innovation and startup ecosystem is dynamic and rapidly growing. Among its key challenges is a persistent shortage of private investment for early-stage startups—often due to a lack of mature systems and a general preference for faster returns rather than the longer-term investment horizon required for deep tech. Moreover, navigating certain legislative complexities related to being an employer can be difficult for young companies.
However, Poland’s exceptional talent pool remains a strong asset. The country also benefits from significant availability of European and national innovation grants within the framework of Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) programs. These non-dilutive funding sources are critical for startups during their foundational stages.
Driving Inclusive Innovation Across Europe — The FundingBox Way
While FundingBox operates without prioritizing any specific country, its strategic involvement in numerous European projects naturally positions it as a key connector across regions, including Poland. This approach resonates particularly strongly in the context of “widening countries” — a term used under Horizon Europe to describe nations with historically lower participation and underperformance in research and innovation compared to the EU average.
These include EU member states such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia, along with associated countries like Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey, and Ukraine.
FundingBox’s work actively supports these countries by fostering cross-border collaboration, channeling European funding, and helping build inclusive innovation ecosystems. In Poland, this means empowering entrepreneurs to transform groundbreaking ideas into globally competitive ventures, while also serving as a vital bridge for pre-accession countries such as Ukraine, Moldova, or Georgia.
By strengthening these connections and championing equal access to resources and knowledge, FundingBox is confident that Poland will continue to evolve as a robust hub of excellence, driving technological advancements and democratizing innovation across Eastern Europe.
Empowering Startups and SMEs Through Strategic Initiatives
One initiative that Anna is particularly proud of is FundingBox’s pioneering approach to managing FSTP programs. By using efficient, transparent processes that prioritize impact and highlight the best proposals (as recognized by the Innovation Radar), they help accelerate promising ventures.
Beyond technical systems, what truly inspires Anna is the strong mission-driven culture within FundingBox. It’s not just about distributing grants—it’s about providing comprehensive support, mentorship, and networks to help startups and SMEs grow, innovate, and contribute to a more resilient and advanced European economy.
Ensuring Operational Excellence in a Cross-Border Environment
Maintaining operational excellence across a geographically dispersed organization depends on several pillars. FundingBox relies on well-defined policies and a strong knowledge repository to guide distributed teams. Regular meetings and open communication about company priorities help ensure alignment and shared purpose.
Though remote work and a flat structure empower team members, clear reporting lines and escalation paths are critical for quick problem-solving. FundingBox’s strong culture of trust and mutual respect allows it to attract talent from across Europe. Shared values unify the organization, ensuring everyone works toward common goals.
Championing Gender Inclusivity and Empowering Future Women Leaders
For Anna, leadership means showing up where her people need her most. She focuses on building robust systems that empower every individual to realize their full potential. By embodying the values she expects from others, she fosters a culture of trust and empowerment.
A key aspect of FundingBox’s approach, particularly supportive of women, is its commitment to remote work. This enables employees to access rewarding opportunities while balancing their personal and professional lives. Inclusion, for Anna, means embracing each person’s unique strengths and perspectives, creating a space where everyone feels genuinely valued and has an equal chance to contribute and lead.
True leadership isn’t about control—it’s about creating space for others to grow and lead in their own right.
Fostering Collaboration Across Sectors and Regions
Collaboration is essential for innovation, and at FundingBox, they actively foster partnerships by leveraging extensive experience and networks. Their participation in over 60 European projects has nurtured a strong “Community of Practice” and enabled successful collaborations with more than 300 institutions across Europe.
By facilitating these connections, FundingBox not only enhances its own impact but also contributes to a more interconnected European innovation ecosystem. This accelerates the development and scaling of deep tech solutions.
A Pivotal Career Moment Shaping Leadership Approach
A truly pivotal moment in Anna’s career came when she assumed the role of Group COO. For the first time, she was genuinely compelled to deeply understand and adapt to diverse cultures across different European countries. This experience profoundly transformed her approach to leadership. It became clear that every time she brought someone new into the team, she wasn’t just adding an individual; she was subtly but significantly changing the dynamics of the entire team.
This realization instilled in her a heightened awareness of cultural nuances, communication styles, and individual needs, forcing her to evolve into a more empathetic and adaptable leader. It underscored the importance of building teams that are not only skilled but also culturally cohesive and supportive, recognizing that diversity is a strength that must be carefully nurtured.
Adapting to Emerging Technologies and Digital Trends
At FundingBox, the core strategy for staying ahead of the curve in the funding ecosystem revolves around “accelerating autonomy through innovation.” This means they are not just observers of emerging technologies and evolving digital trends; they are active adopters and developers. For instance, FundingBox is spearheading technological advancement with the deployment of OnePass, their multiapply funding passport. This pioneering digital funding infrastructure promotes open and transparent funding, aligning with Europe’s vision for autonomy and global competitiveness.
They continuously invest in exploring and integrating cutting-edge digital tools and platforms that enhance operational efficiency, streamline funding processes, and improve the ability to identify and support promising deep tech ventures .
This includes leveraging data analytics for better decision-making, exploring AI-powered solutions for due diligence, and embracing digital collaboration tools that facilitate seamless cross-border operations. The aim is to use technology not just to optimize existing services but to fundamentally transform how funding is accessed, managed, and delivered, ultimately empowering greater autonomy for the startups and SMEs they support.
Vision for the Future: FundingBox and Poland’s Role in European Innovation
Looking ahead, Anna envisions FundingBox solidifying its role as a leading catalyst for deep tech innovation throughout Europe. For Poland, she sees an even more central role emerging—as a key hub for developing and exporting technological advancements, while serving as a strategic bridge for Eastern European and pre-accession countries.
FundingBox aims to stand at the forefront of this journey, connecting critical funding, fostering innovation, and building the infrastructure needed to support a thriving, inclusive, and future-ready ecosystem.
Conclusion
Anna Dymowska’s journey reflects an unwavering commitment to fostering innovation, inclusivity, and strategic growth within Poland and across Europe. Her leadership at FundingBox exemplifies how empathetic, participative leadership can drive real impact in the startup ecosystem. As Poland strengthens its place on the global innovation map, leaders like Anna will be instrumental in shaping a future that is not only technologically advanced but also deeply human and inclusive.
At FundingBox, we don’t just support startups—we help build the confidence behind breakthrough ideas.
