- Klarna expands its tech capabilities by opening a new tech hub in Kraków, Poland
- The Swedish fintech giant plans to hire 100 engineers to drive innovation and product development
What happened
Klarna, the AI-powered global payment network and shopping assistant, announced the launch of its new technology center in Warsaw on November 25. Klarna is now aiming to hire over 100 engineers by 2025 in Poland. This offer Polish talent the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge AI innovations without relocating abroad.
Klarna serves over 85 million consumers and 600,000 merchants worldwide. It has been present in Poland since 2021. Recently, Klarna announced partnerships with Apple Pay and Google Pay. The company also has a long-standing collaboration with OpenAI.
“Poland is Europe’s next tech powerhouse”, said Sebastian Siemiatkowski, co-founder and CEO of Klarna. “Warsaw’s exceptional engineering talent, thriving startup scene, and strategic location make it the perfect choice for our new tech hub. This isn’t just about Klarna’s growth—it’s about unlocking Poland’s potential on the global stage. As someone with Polish roots, I’m excited to see Klarna deepen its connection with this dynamic community and shape the future of AI-powered commerce together.”
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What it’s important
Klarna’s decision to open a new tech hub in Kraków reflects a larger shift within the global tech industry. More and more companies are looking to Central and Eastern Europe for engineering talent. This region offers a unique combination of highly skilled professionals and lower operating costs compared to Western Europe and the US. This makes it an attractive location for international businesses. Klarna is tapping into Poland’s growing reputation as a tech hub, following in the footsteps of other companies like Accenture and Google. This companies have also set up R&D centers in the region.
However, while Klarna’s move is part of a broader trend of expansion into these emerging markets. It also highlights the challenges faced by smaller companies in attracting and retaining talent in a competitive, globalized job market. Small startups and smaller fintech firms often struggle to compete with larger corporations when it comes to offering competitive salaries or advanced career opportunities. For instance, a startup like Revolut, which also operates in the fintech space, has similarly expanded its presence in regions like Lithuania and Poland to tap into local talent pools.
