One in three Polish business founders plans to step down from running their company within the next 5 to 10 years. The share of owners who rule out selling their stake has dropped to 57%, down from 66% in 2025, according to a new EY survey reported by Rzeczpospolita.
The study reveals a significant shift in how entrepreneurs who launched their firms in the 1990s view the future. Only 32% of respondents intend to hand the business over to family members, while nearly one in ten is considering an initial public offering.
From family legacy to market exit
– In the past, the default was to keep the company within the family. Now we see a growing openness to external transactions – said a partner at EY quoted by the daily.
Among those planning to leave the business, 26% are considering a sale to a private individual and 18% to another company. The options of management buyout or employee ownership are also gaining traction, though they remain niche.
The data suggests that Polish entrepreneurs are becoming more pragmatic about succession. The era when a firm was treated almost like a child to be passed down is giving way to a more transactional approach.
Why the shift now?
Several factors drive this change. Many founders are approaching retirement age and have no direct successor willing to take over. Others face the challenge of digital transformation and increasing competition, which makes professional management more attractive.
– My children run their own startups and have no interest in my manufacturing plant. So I’m preparing for an exit – explained one owner from Silesia who chose to remain anonymous.
The survey also highlights that companies with annual revenues above 50 million zlotys are more likely to consider a sale or IPO, while smaller family businesses still prefer internal succession.
IPO and private equity on the radar
Going public is now a realistic option for 9% of respondents. This marks a notable increase compared to previous years when the Warsaw Stock Exchange was rarely mentioned in succession plans.
Private equity funds are also entering the picture. Around 15% of entrepreneurs said they would consider selling to a financial investor. The growing availability of capital and the professionalization of the Polish M&A market make such deals easier to execute.
However, emotional barriers remain. Many founders built their companies from scratch and struggle to imagine them under different ownership. The survey shows that those who have already hired professional managers are far more comfortable with external succession.
Źródło: Rzeczpospolita, Fot. PeopleImages / Shutterstock
