MFC Contributing to the Future of Finance and Innovation for Micro and Small Businesses

MFC’s CEO, Wojciech Stępień, participated in the European Forum on Financing Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises 2026 in Warsaw, joining a panel discussion on innovation and the future of support for entrepreneurs.

Held under the honorary patronage of the European Commission, the Forum brought together leaders from the financial sector, public institutions, business support organisations and entrepreneurs to explore how to accelerate the growth and scaling of Polish micro and small businesses. The event also featured a keynote address by Merete Clausen, Vice-President of the European Investment Fund (EIF), who shared insights on financing growth and investment across Europe.

In his opening remarks, Tadeusz Białek, President of the Polish Bank Association (ZBP), highlighted that microenterprises account for more than 97% of all businesses in Poland, generate nearly 30% of GDP, and create over 4.3 million jobs. As he noted, discussing financing for microenterprises is, in reality, a discussion about the future of the entire Polish economy.

The panel explored how innovation, digitalisation and stronger cooperation between the public and private sectors can help micro and small businesses become more competitive, resilient and ready to scale.

MFC thanks to the organisers — the Polish Bank Association (ZBP), the Council for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, and the National Contact Point for EU Financial Instruments — for creating a valuable platform for dialogue.

Special thanks to the fellow panellists: Wojciech Pantkowski, Vice-President of the Management Board of KIR S.A, Tomasz Misiak, Vice-President of the Management Board of the Cashless Poland Foundation, Mateusz Walewski, Chief Economist, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, Zbysław Ziemacki, Director of the Department of Innovation and Space Policy, Ministry of Economic Development and Technology.

The conversation was moderated by Agnieszka Wachnicka, Vice-President of the Polish Bank Association.

At Microfinance Centre, we are proud to contribute to conversations that strengthen access to finance, foster innovation and support the sustainable growth of micro and small businesses across Europe.

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