European Union projects
Market launch of an innovative line of green furniture based on in-house production of component parts.
Project co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund
under the Regional Operational Programme of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship for 2014–2020
Priority Axis: III – Development of Innovation Potential and Entrepreneurship
Measure: 3.3 – Innovation in SMEs
- Intermediate Body: Mazovian Unit for Implementation of EU Programmes (MJWPU)
- Application number: RPMA.03.03.00-14-i975/23
- Contract signing date: April 3, 2023
- Total project value: PLN 579,330.00
- EU co-financing amount: PLN 376,800.00
- Project start date: April 3, 2023
- Project end date: December 31, 2023
About the project:
The project involves an investment by 4NatureSystem Sp. z o.o. in the purchase of fixed assets aimed at launching improved products from an innovative line of green furniture with an integrated vertical garden system. At the same time, the investment will constitute the implementation of R&D results developed between 2018 and 2020.
In addition to introducing the improved products to the market, the project aims to:
- increase the company’s competitiveness in the office and commercial furniture market,
- reduce production costs of the company’s products,
- increase revenue and improve the company’s financial liquidity.
As part of the project, the following machinery will be purchased for the production of components for the innovative green furniture line:
- press brake,
- laser welding machine,
- laser cutting plotter for sheet metal.
The project will be implemented between April 2023 and December 2023. As a result of the equipment purchase, a production workshop will be established for manufacturing tanks used in green furniture incorporating the innovative vertical garden system. In addition to benefiting the applicant (the company), the project will also support its employees — who will acquire new skills in operating advanced machinery.
Internationalization of 4Nature brand products on the Danish and Dutch markets
Project co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under the Operational Programme Eastern Poland 2014–2020
Priority Axis I: Entrepreneurial Eastern Poland
Measure 1.2: Internationalization of SMEs
- Intermediate Body: Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP)
- Application number: POPW.01.02.00-06-0063/21
- Contract signing date: December 15, 2021
- Total project value: PLN 499,748.40
- EU co-financing amount: PLN 324,632.00
- Project start date: June 1, 2021
- Project end date: May 31, 2023
About the project:
The subject of the project is the internationalization of 4Nature System – Wertykalni, specifically for the products 4Nature Smart Green and 4Nature Wall green walls, targeting the Danish and Dutch markets. Launching international sales in these countries will foster the further development of the offered products, enhance the recognition of the 4Nature brand across Europe, and most importantly, increase profitability and sales levels.
The main goal of the project is to prepare 4Nature System – Wertykalni Sp. z o.o. for international sales of products such as green furniture and green walls based on vertical garden systems with automatic plant irrigation in Denmark and the Netherlands.
In the long term, this international expansion will support job creation and strengthen the company’s branch in Eastern Poland.
- The project includes the following activities:
- Purchase of multimedia equipment
- Purchase of computers for green wall design
- Preparation of promotional materials
- Fire safety testing of the products
- Controller testing for the purpose of international adaptation
- Purchase of access to a Danish business database
- Development of a virtual furniture configurator for customers
- Participation in industry trade fairs:
ARCHITECT@WORK in Rotterdam (2022)
Building Green in Denmark (2022)
Innovative Mobile Modules with Integrated Vertical Garden System – Investment Phase
Project co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund
under the Operational Programme Smart Growth 2014–2020
Priority Axis 2: Support for the environment and potential of enterprises to conduct R&D&I activities
Measure 2.3: Pro-innovation services for enterprises
Sub-measure: Innovation Vouchers for SMEs – Stage II
- Intermediary Institution: Polish Agency for Enterprise Development
- Grant Application Number: POIR.02.03.02-06-0025/19
- Date of Contract Signature: 03/12/2019
- Project Value: PLN 594,885.72
- Amount of Funding: PLN 338,495.94
- Project Start Date: 04/11/2019
- Project End Date: 29/12/2020
About the Project:
The aim of the project was to implement a product innovation in the form of modules with a built-in vertical garden system, whose design had been developed during the service stage. The product implementation was made possible through the purchase of fixed assets required to establish a new company facility, where assembly of vertical gardens will be carried out using modules manufactured with the newly acquired and optimized molds.
The long-term goals of this implementation include:
- Increasing product competitiveness by addressing identified consumer needs related to green technologies (through the implementation of the newly developed modules) and potentially offering more competitive pricing (enabled by in-house production of modules using proprietary molds),
- Growing revenue from the sale of the company’s products, including vertical gardens and ready-made modules, thanks to the establishment of a new facility capable of simultaneously assembling and preparing larger quantities of products.
Simpact Fund – Investment support for R&D projects under the first Social Impact Fund in Poland
4NatureSystem – Wertykalni Sp. z o.o. is implementing the R&D project “4Nature” as part of the initiative titled “Simpact Fund – Investment support for R&D projects under the first Social Impact Fund in Poland.”
The value of the part of the project implemented by us amounts to PLN 1 million, with 80% of that covered by European Union funds.
Support for the implementation of the project was obtained in cooperation with Simpact ASI Fund Sp. z o.o., implementing a project co-financed by the National Centre for Research and Development, from the European Regional Development Fund under the Smart Growth Operational Programme, Measure 1.3: R&D projects financed with equity, Sub-measure 1.3.1: Support for R&D projects at the pre-seed stage by proof of concept-type funds – BRIdge Alfa.
PROTECTION OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY IN THE FIELD OF TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGN RELATED TO MODULES WITH AN INTEGRATED VERTICAL GARDEN SYSTEM
Project co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund
under the Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014–2020
Priority Axis 2: Support for the environment and potential of enterprises to conduct R&D&I activities
Measure 2.3: Pro-innovation services for enterprises
Sub-measure: Protection of industrial property
- Intermediate Institution: Polish Agency for Enterprise Development
- Grant Application Number: POIR.02.03.04-14-0012/19
- Contract Signing Date: 12.05.2020
- Project Value: PLN 404,424.50
- Funding Amount: PLN 177,533.25
- Project Start Date: 01.10.2019
- Project End Date: 31.12.2022
About the project:
The project aims to secure industrial property rights for technical solutions and industrial design related to modules with an integrated vertical garden system.
This protection will be obtained by submitting a patent application for the vertical system for growing ornamental and utility plants in Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and the United States.
Additionally, 30 industrial design applications will be submitted within the entire European Union.
The project covers the costs of official fees, patent attorney services, and necessary document translations.
INNOVATIVE FURNITURE SYSTEM FOR COMMERCIAL SPACES WITH AN INTEGRATED VERTICAL GARDEN SYSTEM
Project co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund
under the Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014–2020
Priority Axis 1: Support for R&D Activities
Measure 2.1: Sectoral R&D Programmes
Sectoral Programme: WoodINN
- Intermediate Institution: National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR)
- Grant Application Number: POIR.01.02.00-00-0109/17
- Contract Signing Date: 27.12.2017
- Project Value: PLN 2,054,541.57
- Co-financing Amount: PLN 1,551,616.91
- Project Start Date: 01.01.2018
- Project Completion Date: 31.12.2020
About the Project:
The main objective of the project was to develop a unique line of furniture intended for commercial interiors, including office spaces, with an integrated vertical garden system and air filtration.
The scope of the project included industrial research, experimental development, and innovation activities aimed at creating a breakthrough product – a furniture system with an integrated vertical garden controlled via IT systems, designed to improve indoor environmental quality, particularly air quality.
The incorporation of greenery into interiors and the use of filtration components help reduce air pollutants, humidify the air, and positively affect mental well-being.
The project resulted in a globally unique line of furniture for commercial interiors with a built-in vertical garden system. This innovation addresses the ongoing decline of green surfaces, especially in urban areas, and responds to the growing need for sustainable solutions.
These products combine the practical and ergonomic functions of traditional furniture with the beneficial impact of plants on indoor air quality.
INNOVATIVE MOBILE MODULES WITH AN INTEGRATED VERTICAL GARDEN SYSTEM:
The project is co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under the Operational Programme Intelligent Development 2014-2020 Priority 2: Support for the environment and business potential for R&D&I Measure 2.3: ‘Pro-innovative services for enterprises’ Sub-measure 2.3.2 Innovation vouchers for SMEs
- Intermediate Body: Polish Agency for Enterprise Development
- No. of application for co-financing: POIR.02.03.02-14-0099/15
- Date of contract signing: 21.10.2016 r.
- Project value: 375,150.00 PLN
- Amount of co-financing: 244 000.00 zł
- Start of project implementation: 02.01.2017
- Completion of project implementation: 12.12.2017
About the project:
The aim of the project was to develop a significantly improved product, design projects and marketing method for vertical gardens for interiors and terraces and balconies.
The subject of the project was to develop a significantly improved innovative product, namely a mobile vertical garden – a ready-made module with an integrated irrigation system. The scope of the project included cooperation with two research institutions. Cooperation with the Institute of Industrial Design included the development of a new design project in terms of functionality and visual design. The cooperation with the Institute of Horticulture was aimed at the best possible refinement of the parameters for growing plants in a vertical system, gaining new knowledge on aspects of growing plants in specific conditions including soillessness, the parameters of the substrate and plant species used, and identifying solutions that will contribute to the development of a top quality product – a safe vertical garden with beneficial effects on human health.
INTERNATIONALISATION OF THE WERTYKALNI.PL BRAND IN THE FIELD OF PREFABRICATED VERTICAL GARDEN MODULE SYSTEMS:
The project is co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under the Regional Operational Programme for the Mazowieckie Voivodeship 2014-2020 Priority axis III: Development of innovation potential and entrepreneurship Measure 3.2: ?Internationalisation of SMEs? Sub-measure 3.2.2: Internationalisation of enterprises
- Intermediate Body: Mazovian Unit for Implementation of EU Programmes
- Grant application number: RPMA.03.02.02-14-6535/16
- Date of signing the agreement: 11.07.2017 r.
- Project value: PLN 157,388.24
- Amount of funding: 62,128.13 zł
- Start of project implementation: 01.04.2017
- Completion of project implementation: 30.06.2017
About the project:
The subject of the project was the internationalisation of the company Subito Advising, a brand of Wertykalni.pl in the field of products: ready-made modules of vertical gardens for indoors and outdoors and a vertical system of Urban farming type of utility plants through the introduction of a new business model. By internationalising its products, the company intends to diversify the types of customer groups and markets by participating in international trade fairs in Germany and Poland. The expansion of the customer market in more affluent countries, especially Germany, provided opportunities for the company to grow by increasing employment, export-sales and revenue. The products to be exported were prepared as part of the company’s R&D cooperation with scientific and research units: Institute of Industrial Design in Warsaw and Institute of Horticulture in Skierniewice.
