01How we move together
How We Move Together
We are a global network of the bright minds of Poland, its diaspora, and international partners.
United in a thriving community of leaders, founders, scientists, engineers, investors, artists, designers, and entrepreneurs — all connected by shared culture and ambition.
Vistula Valley
02The Compass
The Vistula Valley Compass
- 01Collaboration over IndividualismWe prioritize deep, long-term collaboration over solo visibility or short-term gain. Progress is collective or it doesn’t count.
- 02Merit over StatusPeople are recognized by substance, track record, and integrity — not titles, age, or hierarchy. Respect is earned, never assumed.
- 03Global Reach, Local RootsWe exist to build international partnerships and amplify ecosystems, not to replace them. We are the connective layer that strengthens others by going global.
- 04Paying Success ForwardSuccess carries an obligation to give back non-transactionally and support others without keeping score.
Vistula Valley
03In numbers
- 230+
- community members
- 13
- events hosted in 7 global cities
- 100+
- curated introductions
- 3
- official chapters
- 1
- high-engagement community platform
Vistula Valley
04Global action
We are transitioning from vision to coordinated global action:
- FoundationInstitutional FoundationWe are registered as a California Mutual Benefit Membership Corporation and have appointed the board to lead the transition into global action.
- NetworkMembership & NetworkIntroducing formal membership structures, a professionalized onboarding process, and an internal member map to facilitate high-value collaboration across our global community.
- HubsGlobal HubsLaunching official chapters in San Francisco, New York, and Warsaw while uniting strategic partners around shared objectives to amplify our collective soft-power impact.
- PresenceDigital & Global PresenceCreating a growth ecosystem for founders, launching our official digital presence, and hosting our first anniversary during the 2026 Global Polonia Summit in Miami.
Vistula Valley
05Chapters
Chapters: Local Presence, Global Impact
- SF Bay AreaMichal MajerczakVV Chapter Head, founder and operator
- New YorkPawel BenedykcinskiVV Chapter Head and president of the Polish American Business Club
- WarsawBartek KurylakVV Chapter Head, VC investor and entrepreneur
Vistula Valley
06In their own words
“As someone who spends time between Cambridge and Warsaw, I know firsthand how much it matters to have a community that truly bridges both worlds. Vistula Valley Club is exactly that, a network where Polish founders, scientists, and innovators don't just exchange business cards, but actually build trust, share knowledge, and open doors for one another. In an era when AI and technology are reshaping entire industries, the connections forged here translate into real collaboration across ecosystems. I'm proud to be part of a community that is quietly building Poland's global soft power, one conversation at a time.”
Prof. Aleksandra Przegalińska
Vice-Rector for Innovation and AI, Kozminski University · Fellow, Harvard Center for Labor and a Just Economy
“For me personally, Vistula Valley is much more than a professional network—it is a community that connects the Polish diaspora across borders and generations. It creates a space where people support one another regardless of their career stage or life path, while building meaningful relationships rooted in trust and shared values. By strengthening connections between Poland and innovation hubs around the world—especially Silicon Valley—it helps ideas, opportunities, and people move in both directions.”
Tomasz Trzciński
Director of R&D, IDEAS
“If you're heading to San Francisco and need support, there's no better place to start than Vistula Valley. It's a community of people who genuinely believe in Polish companies and open doors for Polish entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. Just being part of it has already brought me a lot of value. I'm glad it exists and I hope it keeps growing!”
Tomasz Karwatka
Co-founder, Open Mercato
“For me, Vistula Valley is above all a group of ambitious, generous people who share their experience, contacts and concrete advice — and genuinely root for one another. I experienced this community's support myself while facing an important career decision: I gained a fresh perspective and was connected with people who helped me better understand my options and make a more informed choice.”
Michał Bortkiewicz
Vistula Valley
07Partners
Organizations that back the movement with their expertise, pro bono.
Vistula Valley