Konrad grew up just outside Warsaw and always knew he would return after completing his studies in the UK. “For me, there’s no other place to be,” he says. Michał’s story is similar: Originally from Lublin, he did his undergraduate studies in the UK before choosing Warsaw as the base for his entrepreneurial ventures. “When you’re doing anything technology based, and you want to be in the right setting, you have to come to Warsaw,” he says. This is a sentiment echoed by many in the Warsaw startup scene, where the city’s supportive ecosystem has made it an attractive destination for tech entrepreneurs from across Poland and beyond.

Their journey began with a desire to be part of the AI revolution, even before they had a specific product in mind. Michał had already established a successful startup in the tech sector, VERS, developing advanced hybrid energy-storage systems for the automotive industry. He was eager to explore the potential of AI in automotive safety; however, he lacked the necessary expertise in computer vision. Instead of building this capability from scratch, he opted to collaborate with experts in the field. “​​I started asking my colleagues if they knew people interested in developing advanced driver-assistance systems. a programmer from my first startup recommended a few people in the field of computer vision: Konrad Sloniewski and Konrad Kostrzewa.” 

The Konrads, who had worked together in a previous startup, were already working on AI‑driven projects. Konrad Sloniewski, a programmer, also had some experience in running a startup. This encounter laid the foundation for what would become AutonomyNow, a company at the forefront of AI innovation in the automotive and defense industries. 

“We thought, okay, let’s start a software house specializing in AI and computer vision. Let’s build some knowledge here and see what the market needs,” says Michał. The three seasoned entrepreneurs discovered a significant gap in the market: the need for advanced driver-assistance systems that leverage AI and computer vision. They combined their expertise, and AutonomyNow was founded in 2020. “The three of us focused one hundred percent of our professional time on this company alone, because we believed it had the best kind of market opportunity and technology opportunity available,” Michał says. 

Building their product was challenging not only due to technical difficulties but also in terms of regulation compliance. “We never expected it to be easy, of course,” says Konrad. “But when we were designing the product, even the agencies that were supposed to test and approve whether something works according to regulation didn’t know what the exact requirements were.” Developing a product that works efficiently and always complies with safety regulations, when those regulations are unclear or evolving, proved to be a significant hurdle. “We were in the dark,” he says. “No one really knew what our solution should look like. They didn’t have the authority to say something was good or bad. They just couldn’t answer our questions.” 

This situation required the team to be adaptable and open to making last-minute changes based on evolving standards. Michał underscores the importance of strategic clarity in such an uncertain environment. “You have to be super clear on the requirements and think strategically about the product from the get-go,” he says. Despite the challenges, the team could progress by focusing on what they knew to be concrete and specific while navigating the unknowns with flexibility. Their approach involved being open to feedback and adjusting their strategy as necessary, a lesson that has served them well in the unpredictable world of startups.

Another valuable lesson Konrad and Michał learned throughout their entrepreneurial journey is the importance of patience and persistence. Building a successful startup, especially one rooted in advanced technologies like AI and computer vision, is a process that cannot be rushed. While it’s easy to get caught up in the pressure to deliver quick results, lasting success is rarely achieved overnight. Meaningful innovation requires not just creativity and technical prowess but also time to strategize, iterate, refine and perfect. “Good things take time,” Michał says. ”Time to build the right team, time to gather the necessary resources, and most importantly, time to let the product evolve naturally.” Developing AutonomyNow’s cutting-edge AI systems involved countless hours of research, development, testing and navigating complex regulatory environments. Each step, while often painstaking, was essential to ensuring that their product met the highest standards of safety and efficacy. 

This understanding has been crucial in helping all three founders stay focused and resilient, especially during any startup’s inevitable challenges and setbacks. And their focus and patience has paid off. The company’s progress, marked by significant technological milestones and growing industry recognition, is a testament to the value of giving a project the time it needs to mature. Patience has not only shaped their approach to product development but also their commitment to their broader mission of revolutionizing automotive safety through AI. They remain confident that their steadfast approach will lead to even more significant successes in the future.

Another key to AutonomyNow’s success was having the right people on board. The founders highlight the dedication and passion of its team, which has been key in overcoming the many challenges it has faced while creating an excellent product. “You can build a bad product in no time,” says Michał, “but to make something work, you need the right people. Konrad is the best founder I ever worked with. He’s really hard working, open‑minded, and easy going. So many decisions had to be made on the spot, and it would have been impossible to do so without high-minded people like that in our project. Start with the right people and then any kind of challenge is solvable.” 

Having the right team is what made the difficulties they faced an experience to appreciate. “This hardship improves the experience,” says Michał. “It was extremely rewarding to build something that was hard to achieve. And we have achieved a lot. I think it was due to building a team that is really dedicated – their eyes are shining when they’re thinking of building new stuff. It has been the hardest project, but also the best one.” 

Finding the right kind of investors is also vital to a startup’s success, and while Warsaw is gaining traction as a tech hub, the investor landscape still presents unique challenges. For AutonomyNow, the journey to obtaining financial backing involved a mix of strategic networking, persistence and leveraging the city’s burgeoning investment opportunities. Konrad and Michał had to be meticulous in their approach, ensuring that they were not only pitching a viable product but also aligning with investors who understood the complexities and long-term potential of AI and computer vision in the automotive industry. Rather than viewing investors merely as sources of capital, they approached these relationships as opportunities to gain mentors and advisors who can offer invaluable guidance. Their success in forming these relationships can be attributed to their active participation in the local startup community and a keen focus on aligning with investors who share their vision. 

They found success by engaging with platforms such as the Warsaw Booster and the Startup Excellence Club, which provided valuable exposure to a network of potential investors and mentors. “The Warsaw Booster was instrumental in connecting us with the right kind of investors,” Michał says. It not only helped them refine their pitch but also offered mentorship and resources that were critical in the early stages of their fundraising efforts. In addition, the Startup Excellence Club, an exclusive community and platform known for its focus on high-potential startups, helped them gain access to a pool of investors who not only supported them financially but also provided strategic insights that guided the company’s direction. It also further strengthened their network and continues to provide ongoing support as they scale their company. 

Konrad and Michał both highly praise the supportive ecosystem in Warsaw, where networking and collaboration are encouraged. “My experience is that Warsaw has built an excellent ecosystem for building tech companies, and if you are really committed to developing your own company, you will have plenty of chances to meet like-minded people,” says Konrad. “People are very willing to share their contacts.” This openness to collaboration is a significant advantage for startups in Warsaw. The city’s networking culture – with its numerous events, meetups and conferences – has been instrumental in the success of many startups, including AutonomyNow. 

Looking ahead, both founders see the city as an increasingly attractive destination for entrepreneurs. It has a growing talent pool and resources, and the market for new technologies is expanding, driven by global trends and the city’s vibrant community of innovators.

But Warsaw is more than just a place to do business; it’s a city they love and are deeply connected to. For entrepreneurs like Konrad and Michał, the city offers opportunities for business success and an inspiring environment to live and grow. “The people here are ambitious, open-minded, and are willing to try new things,” says Michał. “Warsaw has become a great place to live in, more open and multicultural than before.” As they continue to push the boundaries of AI and automotive technology, they are also contributing to the ongoing transformation of Warsaw into a leading center of innovation.

What’s your favorite book?

Konrad: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.

Michał: Dune by Frank Herbert. 

What do you do to start your day well?

Konrad: If I can, I start with a workout.

Michał: Reading my favorite meditations by Marcus Aurelius. 

When did you found your first business?

Michał: I was twenty-four. I quit graduate school to start my business.

Konrad: I was twenty-seven.

What’s your favorite place to do some creative thinking?

Michał: a lot of thinking happens when I run at Pole Mokotowskie in the evening.

What’s your favorite restaurant?

Michał: Cafe Mozika in Mokotów, a neat place with a vintage vibe, but in a modern way.

Konrad: KUK in Old Town.

Do you have a favorite museum?

Michał: The Copernicus Museum of Technology is fun and interactive.

Something you must try in Warsaw: 

Konrad: The burgers at
Bydło i Powidło.

AutonomyNow is an AI company operating in the automotive and defense industries.
The company develops Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for commercial vehicles and AI Modernisation Systems (AIMS) for the military sector. The systems utilize AI and computer-vision technology.

autonomynow.co

This article is included in The Explorer Series Warsaw, alongside more founder stories and expert insights. Order your copy now!

Written by Yessica Klein

Photography by Sebastian Rzepka