
Gisela Beck · 2 September 2026
Four students from Krakow universities have founded a climate technology startup aimed at developing affordable sensors for real-time urban air quality monitoring. The company, called Atmosense, emerged from collaborative projects within the Spark Hub Education Network and focuses on scalable solutions for cities facing pollution challenges.
Technology and Early Development
Atmosense prototypes use low-cost electrochemical sensors combined with machine learning algorithms to map pollution hotspots and predict emission spikes from traffic and industry. Initial tests conducted in Krakow districts showed accuracy rates above 85 percent compared to official monitoring stations. The team secured seed funding from regional innovation grants and plans pilot deployments in three Polish cities by the end of next year. Founders emphasize open-source data sharing to support broader environmental research efforts.
Network Support and Future Plans
Spark Hub Education Network provided mentorship through its entrepreneurship workshops and access to laboratory facilities at partner institutions. The program also facilitated connections with industry advisors specializing in hardware manufacturing and regulatory compliance. The startup now employs six additional part-time researchers and targets expansion into Eastern European markets. Long-term goals include integration with municipal planning tools to guide infrastructure investments that reduce overall carbon footprints in growing urban areas.