In a competitive contest aimed at fostering student innovation, Young Talents 4 Biedronka has awarded close to 50,000 PLN in prizes. The initiative, which encourages creative solutions for logistics, environmental sustainability, and supply chain management, saw its winners announced at a grand gala in Warsaw.
Empowering Young Minds
The Young Talents 4 Biedronka competition is the result of a powerful partnership between Biedronka, Poland’s largest retail chain, and the Our Future Foundation, an educational non-profit. Biedronka, with over 3,300 stores across the country, is not only a leader in retail but also a key player in nurturing young talent. Through programmes such as Management Trainee and Owocne Wakacje, Biedronka offers young professionals invaluable opportunities to gain hands-on experience and develop their careers in various business fields, from logistics to IT.
Meanwhile, the Our Future Foundation is dedicated to supporting Poland’s brightest students by providing them with scholarships, mentoring, and connections to industry professionals. The foundation’s mission is to unlock the potential of the next generation of leaders through educational programmes and initiatives. Together, Biedronka and the Our Future Foundation have created a platform that empowers students to turn innovative ideas into practical solutions for the retail sector, demonstrating the positive impact of collaboration between the private and non-profit sectors.
A Platform for Student Innovation
On 10th October 2024, the finals of the Young Talents 4 Biedronka competition took place at Warsaw’s FORUM, marking a significant moment for student innovators across Poland. The contest provided a unique platform for students to present innovative solutions in retail. The event saw 18 finalists, selected from over 300 initial applicants, competing for top honours after months of working on projects under the guidance of experienced mentors.
The participants, grouped into teams, worked throughout the summer to develop original projects that addressed challenges in areas such as supply chain management, environmental protection, and logistics. They had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, collaborate with experts, and showcase their entrepreneurial spirit.
Celebrating the Winners
The top award of the competition went to a team focused on logistics, comprising Cezary Mikuś, Mateusz Stebner, and Adrian Minota. Their project introduced the use of a Yard Management System (YMS) in Biedronka’s distribution centres to monitor and optimise the movement of suppliers in the manoeuvring yards. This innovation won them a cash prize of 7,500 PLN each, along with tickets to Our Future Foundation events, which provide additional networking and educational opportunities.
The second-place team, Martyna Gawlikowicz, Jan Andrys, and Adam Skrzydlak, impressed the jury with their project aimed at improving customer understanding of the deposit return system (DRS) for recycling in Biedronka stores. This environmentally focused project earned each team member 5,000 PLN.
Meanwhile, third place was awarded to Karolina Tomasik, Adriana Karkulowska, and Bartosz Zych, who presented an effective solution to streamline Biedronka’s supply chain. They each took home 2,500 PLN.
In total, Biedronka allocated nearly 50,000 PLN in prizes, with e-gift codes for shopping in Biedronka stores included as part of the awards.
A Bright Future for Polish Retail
Beyond the cash prizes, the real value for the participants was the hands-on experience and the exposure to real-world business challenges. The competition provided students with invaluable insights into the retail industry, teamwork, and problem-solving. For many of them, this was a chance to gain their first professional experience and build relationships with industry leaders, a crucial stepping stone toward future careers.
Agnieszka Sokołowska, Director of Internal Communications at Biedronka, emphasised the importance of such initiatives:
Business is looking for proactive, hardworking young people who are ready for leadership roles. Through the Young Talents 4 Biedronka programme, we’ve seen students eager to collaborate, face new challenges, and bring innovative ideas to life.
Over the course of six months, participants attended workshops, collaborated with mentors, and refined their projects. This mentorship programme, run by Biedronka’s senior managers, allowed students to expand their knowledge in fields such as logistics, marketing, and environmental sustainability, while also learning from top industry professionals.
Judging and Recognition
The final projects were judged by a panel of esteemed professionals, including Agnieszka Sokołowska, Kamila Chomka (Director of Learning and Development at Biedronka), Anna Szuszkiewicz (Director of B2B Marketing at Wirtualna Polska), Marian Owerko (Founder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of FoodWell Sp. z o.o.), Professor Michał Zasada (Rector of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences), and Kamil Tomkowicz (Board Member of Our Future Foundation). The jury assessed the projects based on their creativity, business potential, environmental impact, and feasibility for implementation.
We are creating new educational pathways between the private sector and academia. More companies are realising the importance of investing in young talent, as these participants will soon be the ones driving business success,
highlighted Kamil Tomkowicz from Our Future Foundation.
Biedronka’s Commitment to Youth Development
As one of the largest employers in Poland, Biedronka has long been committed to nurturing young talent. Through various programmes, such as Management Trainee, Owocne Wakacje, Finance Academy, and IT School, the company supports over 100 young professionals every year. The Young Talents 4 Biedronka competition is a further example of Biedronka’s strategy of engaging with the academic community and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit of the next generation.
This initiative, open to students aged 19-25 from universities across Poland, not only fosters a spirit of innovation but also helps build a solid foundation for careers in retail and business management. By partnering with organisations like Our Future Foundation, Biedronka is playing a vital role in shaping the future of Poland’s workforce.
