Jarosław Sroka opened the panel by asking participants about the qualities of a good entrepreneur and the values worth following in professional life. Agnieszka Pakulska responded that an entrepreneur is someone who spends their life “chasing the rabbit,” demonstrating unwavering belief in their own success and persistence in achieving their goals. Adam Góral added that while money is important, it is not the most crucial factor—it provides choices, but the true value lies in the team one works with. He emphasized that an entrepreneur cannot be selfish because success is not achieved alone. Entrepreneurship, he said, is fundamentally about taking responsibility for the people you work with. At the same time, he stressed the importance of pursuing happiness and suggested considering other career paths if entrepreneurship does not bring satisfaction.

Marian Owerko shared that entrepreneurship is in his blood, but he noted that everyone should find their own path. For this reason, he did not encourage his children to follow in his footsteps. Piotr Nowosielski pointed out that the ability to handle failure is a key trait of an entrepreneur—he himself succeeded only on his seventh attempt. He encouraged young people not to give up and to believe in their potential.

When asked what older entrepreneurs could learn from the younger generation, Marian Owerko highlighted young people’s ability to tackle complex problems, their energy, and their proficiency with new technologies. Adam Góral observed, however, that young people face tougher conditions for starting businesses today than in the 1990s, when the free market was still emerging. He added that entrepreneurship is fundamentally about problem-solving.

Piotr Nowosielski criticized the short-term focus of many Polish entrepreneurs, lamenting that the younger generation lacks patience and long-term thinking, which are crucial for creating new Polish unicorns—companies valued at over a billion dollars. Agnieszka Pakulska agreed, noting a clear generational gap between younger and older entrepreneurs.

Adam Góral encouraged young people to take advantage of opportunities in the capital market, emphasizing that working with professional investors teaches responsibility. Marian Owerko recalled that when he started his business in 1991, access to capital was much more challenging. Piotr Nowosielski disagreed with the notion that young people have it harder today. According to him, the present era offers the best conditions for starting a business, thanks to easier access to knowledge and capital.

In conclusion, Nowosielski urged young people to try their hand at entrepreneurship, pointing out that the artificial intelligence revolution is opening up entirely new opportunities for them.

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