Osaka City to Host Business Tour Focused on Creative Industries with Łódź, Poland

Osaka City will conduct a business tour to Łódź, Poland, as part of its initiatives under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on economic exchange between the two cities. In conjunction with this, Osaka City is now accepting applications from local companies aiming to expand into European markets, establish technological partnerships, and create international business opportunities.

Łódź, Poland’s third-largest city, has a historical foundation in the textile industry and is renowned as a hub for creative industries such as film, animation, fashion, and design, centered around prestigious institutions like the Łódź Film School—one of Europe’s most respected and longest-established film academies. Additionally, the city excels in IT and high-tech industries and has recently intensified efforts in supporting startups and promoting investment, making it a rapidly developing focal point with a thriving business ecosystem.

Moreover, Łódź holds strong competitiveness in advanced manufacturing sectors such as deep tech, precision engineering, and materials development, and continues to grow as a center for next-generation manufacturing that integrates digital technologies. For Osaka’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups, and creators, Poland’s business-friendly and Japan-friendly environment offers exceptional compatibility as a gateway to the European market.

This tour is a program designed to maximize the strong bilateral relationship between Osaka and Łódź, with the goal of generating concrete business outcomes.

Program

1. Individual Business Meetings and Networking Based on each participating company’s business profile and needs, individual business meetings will be arranged with local companies, support organizations, and potential partners in Łódź, with full local cooperation. One interpreter per company will be provided to ensure effective and productive discussions.

2. Visits to Local Companies and Support Facilities With full support from Łódź, visits to incubation centers and companies will be arranged to help participants build direct networks with organizations that can serve as footholds for European expansion.

3. Expert Guidance and Support Specialists in international business will provide support such as pre-travel advice and refining business presentation materials. Even companies new to overseas business negotiations can participate confidently and achieve effective business matchmaking.

This is an excellent opportunity to engage with the forefront of Łódź’s rapidly growing economy and seize new business opportunities. We welcome applications from companies interested in expanding into the European market or building international partnerships.

Additionally, an information session for prospective participants will be held in July to introduce the tour. The session will cover Łódź’s business environment and the benefits of collaboration. Companies considering participation are encouraged to attend, as well as anyone interested in the latest business developments in Łódź.

Tour Overview

Destination

Łódź, Poland (and Warsaw)

Schedule

October 8 (Thu) – October 9 (Fri), 2026 (local time)

※ Participants are required to assemble and disperse locally.

※ Please arrive in Łódź by October 7 (Wed), 2026 (local time), the day before the program begins.

※ Detailed itinerary will be provided after participant selection.

Participation Fee

Free of charge

※ For details on costs covered by the organizers and those borne by participants, please refer to the official application guidelines.

Number of Participating Companies

Approximately 8 companies

Eligible Companies

• Companies interested in technological collaboration, trade, or joint development with Polish companies

• Companies considering expansion into Poland

• Priority given to SMEs based in Osaka City

※ For this program, “SMEs” refers to enterprises defined under Article 2 of the Small and Medium Enterprise Basic Act (Act No. 154 of 1963).

※ Individuals who already have a concrete business plan, are capable of presenting independently, and are ready to enter or expand into Poland are also eligible (priority given to those residing in Osaka City or planning to establish a business there).

Target Industries

• Creative industries (graphic design, video/CG, system/application development, animation, gaming, etc.)

• Deep tech (sensor technology, IoT, green power, alternative energy, batteries, biotechnology, healthtech, etc.)

• Manufacturing (prototyping, precision machining, materials and material development technologies, etc.)

※ For other sectors such as daily consumer goods or food products, we may still arrange meetings with local companies based on demand—please feel free to consult.

Benefits for Participants

• One interpreter per company will be provided during business meetings with overseas companies.

• Opportunity to participate in networking events for interaction and information exchange with local companies and support organizations.

• Business meetings will be arranged at no cost to participants, with approximately five meetings planned per company.

• For interested companies, opportunities to visit Łódź’s largest tech event, 'Re_d', will be offered.

(Re_d official website: https://re-d.pl/)

Application Period

June 29 (Mon), 2026 – July 24 (Fri), 2026, 17:00 JST (deadline)

Selection Results

Scheduled to be notified by July 31 (Fri), 2026

How to Apply

Please submit the required project overview documents to apply.

For details, please visit the application page.

URL: https://ebis.obda.or.jp/service/504134/detail

<Organizer>

Osaka City

<Implementing Organization>

International Business Promotion Consortium

(Members: Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Osaka International Economic Promotion Center)

◾️Media Inquiries and Contact

International Business Division, Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Nakamura, Shimazaki

TEL: 06-6947-4088

E-mail: global_biz_osaka@obda.or.jp

Hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00–12:00, 13:00–17:30 (excluding public holidays)