Katarzyna Sarba: Why Poland at all? Lyfta has been present on the Swedish market since 2010 and you have big companies in your portfolio, like for example Skanska and JM. What has drawn your attention to Poland, to Warsaw?
You have a Polish background, what is your story?

Peter Karpinski: Indeed, I’m actually Polish. My parents left Poland in 1984, in one of the darkest periods of Polish history. We moved from Warsaw to Stockholm when I was 8 years old.

I have been living in Sweden since childhood and have grown up in the Swedish culture and education system – I completed my Master degree at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. On the same time my Polish heritage, language and connections with Poland allow for hybrid, bi-cultural perspective. Quite unique and very valuable asset in business, especially when operating in both markets.

Why Poland?
While being a founder of a prosperous company in Sweden and working with Swedish customers I was always looking and dreaming of tapping into the veins of the vibrant, creative and innovative Polish economy, a true tiger in Europe context.
I found Poland and the Polish economy as a growing source of inspiration, positivism and creativity and I have a feeling that this is truly the place to be in the new Europe that is emerging.

From a personal angle, although being a Swedish citizen, I’ve always felt that a big part (the heart) of me was Polish and related to Poland. I have always had this supernatural feeling of getting back to my roots.
And here I am!

Katarzyna Sarba: Beautiful story and I’m so proud and happy you perceive Poland in this way. What does Lyfta Skrot offer? Could you explain in detail the product/service?

Peter Karpinski:

Katarzyna Sarba: Polish software engineers are considered as well-known software developers, valuable for accuracy and reliability. They work for international projects, including Artificial Intelligence for IT companies worldwide making Poland one of the most important IT hubs in the world.
Do you have your own comments on that? How do you find the Polish technology scene?

Peter Karpinski: I’ve seen firsthand how Polish developers excel at tackling complex technical challenges with accuracy and reliability while still keeping project deadlines. The tech ecosystem in Poland has matured rapidly, especially in AI and cloud services, attracting global interest and investment.

“In my view, Poland is a real powerhouse for innovation, blending top engineering talent with a strong entrepreneurial mindset.“

Katarzyna Sarba: But it seems to me like swimming in a “red ocean”, meaning Poland might be a highly competitive market for Lyfta Skrot. What are your value propositions for your customers? What are the unique selling points of your product?

Katarzyna Sarba: We all know that sometimes dreams and plans hit reality. I know you have just freshly started your business operation in Poland.
How do you perceive this opening? The legal and tax environment it’s not easy in Poland. What should a foreign company be prepared for when entering the Polish market? Could you provide a few recommendations?

Peter Karpinski: Poland is a vibrant but complex market. There’s more bureaucracy, and trust can be harder to build. One difference that struck me was the fact that Polish business owners and clients have a lower degree of trust than Swedish counterparts.
The only way of mitigating this reality is through partnerships, preferably Polish citizens with dual cultural understanding. Poland has exceptional talents who are schooled within large corporations, currently working on their own businesses. This fact is something we actively use as part of our strategy for Poland as a market, especially during the startup-phase.

Katarzyna Sarba: Indeed, the founders and leaders I interviewed previously often point to finding local partners, as a critical condition to start the business on the local market. How did you build your Polish team?
What competencies should such a “pioneering” have to successfully introduce a new company to a local market?

Peter Karpinski: We are building our Polish team based on people I’ve met during meetings within the Swedish-Polish Chamber of Commerce. These meetings are great for connecting with not only partners (many of whom are domain experts), but also with other startup founders.
The main competencies we look for is local network plus exceptional talent within several domains. Leadership and communication skills are two competencies I personally look for.

Katarzyna Sarba: What else can or should companies do if they want to successfully establish themselves in a new market?

Peter Karpinski: Start small, focus on Main Important Question (a.k.a. Slow Productivity) plus, don’t underestimate that it takes a long time and requires You investing time locally. The latter is very stressful if You at the same time have a family living in Sweden, but it’s worth it and is the price You have to pay as an entrepreneur.

Katarzyna Sarba: Well, then I wish you great success here in Poland! I keep my fingers crossed.
And thank you Peter, for your very deep, valuable insights and input to the article. We have touched so many topics and approaches to the topic of market entry from different angles.
Though the interview is really long this time I believe it will be very beneficial for our readers.

Stay prepared, good luck!

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