Visit of the Polish Ambassador to Protostar Labs
Protostar Labs had the pleasure of welcoming H.E. Mr Paweł Czerwiński, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Croatia, together with Mrs Agnieszka Czerwińska, to our offices. The visit provided an opportunity to present Protostar Labs’ work in space and dual-use technologies, including onboard data processing, FPGA-accelerated artificial intelligence and optical payloads. More importantly, it opened a broader conversation about industrial development, regional cooperation and the opportunities that closer relations between Croatia and Poland could create.
Published on 7/31/2026
Learning from Poland’s space sector
One of the central topics was Poland’s experience in building its national space sector.
Over the past years, Poland has developed a growing ecosystem of technology companies, research institutions and public-sector stakeholders working in space and defence-related industries. Its experience provides valuable lessons for countries such as Croatia, where the space sector is still developing but already includes companies with internationally relevant technologies and expertise.
Protostar Labs also shared its experience of advocating for space and dual-use technologies to be recognised within Croatia’s national industrial development framework. Their inclusion represents an important step towards recognising space as an industry that can contribute to technological sovereignty, defence capabilities and the creation of high-value jobs.
Connecting Slavonia with Polish industry
The discussion went beyond the space sector and included the potential for stronger cooperation between Polish companies and businesses from Slavonia and continental Croatia.
Reciprocal delegation visits were discussed as one possible way to develop these relationships. This could include a future visit by Croatian representatives and companies to Poland, as well as hosting a Polish business delegation in continental Croatia.
Such visits would allow Polish stakeholders to become more familiar with the industrial and technological capabilities already present in the region.
Continental Croatia has a strong industrial tradition, engineering expertise and a growing number of technology-oriented companies. Creating closer connections with Polish companies and institutions could open new opportunities not only for Protostar Labs, but also for other regional businesses seeking partners, customers and access to international markets.
A shared goal is to strengthen the recognition of continental Croatia as a region of industry, advanced engineering and technological development.
Opportunities through regional cooperation
The participants also discussed Poland’s important role within the Three Seas Initiative and the opportunities this framework may create for stronger cooperation between Central and Eastern European countries.
For Croatian companies, deeper engagement with Polish partners could support collaboration in space, defence, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies and other strategic industries.
The visit demonstrated that industrial cooperation does not have to remain limited to national capitals or the largest economic centres. Regions such as Slavonia can play a meaningful role in developing new partnerships across Central Europe.
An open and constructive discussion
The conversation covered a wide range of topics, from the development of national space capabilities and dual-use technologies to public policy, strategic communications and the international positioning of Croatian industry.
The guests were welcomed by:
- Filip Novoselnik, CEO and founder of Protostar Labs and member of the Board of Supporters of the Nova Granica Foundation
- Luka Strišković, Management Board Advisor for Compliance and Strategic Development at Protostar Labs
- Tomislav Lacović, public policy and government relations consultant, Partner and Head of Strategic Communications at Vlahović Group, and Management Board Member of the Nova Granica Foundation
- Marko Mamić, Software Development Lead at Protostar Labs
We greatly appreciated the open and pleasant conversation, as well as the Ambassador’s interest in the development of Croatia’s space and technology sectors.
We look forward to continuing the discussion and exploring concrete opportunities for cooperation between Croatian and Polish companies, institutions and regional partners.
