Piotr Ciski has been CEO of Symfonia since 2015, leading its transformation into a tech innovator for Polish and CEE SMEs. With 30 years of experience in IT and business strategy, he secured a Silicon Valley investor and led Symfonia’s first international acquisition in 2024. He holds a Computer Science and Econometrics degree and an Executive MBA from the Warsaw University of Technology. A member of the Digital Poland Foundation Council, he advocates for digital education. An ultramarathon runner and mountain trail enthusiast, Piotr embodies resilience both in business and personal pursuits.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with Digital First Magazine, Piotr shared his professional journey, the inspiration behind establishing Symfonia and what sets it apart from other market competitors, significant career milestone, personal hobbies and interests, future plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Piotr. Can you walk us through your background and what you’re most passionate about in your work?
My journey has always been driven by a passion for digital transformation. Early in my career, I recognized that technology isn’t just a tool – it’s a driver of growth and efficiency. My experience in leading tech firms has reinforced my belief that small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) need solutions that are not only powerful but also intuitive. At Symfonia, I’m most passionate about helping SMBs navigate their digital journey, ensuring they have the right tools to scale, optimize operations, and future-proof their businesses.
What was the inspiration behind establishing Symfonia? What sets it apart from other market competitors?
Symfonia was built on a simple but powerful idea: to create a harmonious ecosystem that enables SMBs to grow through digitalization. Many companies focus on enterprise-level solutions, leaving smaller businesses struggling with complex, fragmented systems. We wanted to change that. What sets us apart is our deep understanding of SMBs’ pain points and our ability to offer integrated, scalable solutions. Symfonia is more than just software – it’s about empowering businesses with technology that grows alongside them.
Looking ahead to the future, what do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges for small and medium-sized businesses, and how can they prepare to address these?
SMBs are at a crossroads where digital transformation is no longer optional – it’s essential. The biggest opportunity lies in leveraging automation, AI, and cloud solutions to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and gain competitive advantages. The challenge, however, is keeping up with the rapid pace of technological change while maintaining agility. To prepare, businesses should focus on adopting flexible, cloud-based solutions, investing in employee digital skills, and ensuring cybersecurity measures are in place.
What role do you think technology plays in enabling business growth and innovation, and how do you see this evolving in the future?
Technology is the backbone of modern business growth. It automates repetitive tasks, streamlines operations, and provides actionable insights that drive better decision-making. Moving forward, AI and predictive analytics will play a bigger role in helping SMBs anticipate market shifts and customer needs. We’re also seeing a rise in no-code and low-code platforms, making technology more accessible to non-technical users. The key will be human-centered digital transformation, where technology supports – not replaces – people.
What has been your most career-defining moment that you are proud of?
One of the most defining moments in my career was leading Symfonia’s carve-out from Sage in 2021. Securing private equity investment from MidEuropa allowed us to establish Symfonia as an independent entity on the Polish market, setting the stage for rapid growth, and to serve SMBs more effectively. Two years later, I spearheaded a strategic partnership with Accel-KKR, a renowned Silicon Valley-based investor. This was more than just financial backing – it enabled us to expand beyond Poland and accelerate our international ambitions. By 2024, we had achieved our first international acquisition, marking a pivotal step in Symfonia’s evolution from a national leader to a global player.
We are now accelerating on this path, growing both organically and through acquisitions. I firmly believe that this most career-defining moment is still ahead of me. This journey has reinforced my belief that growth isn’t just about scale; it’s about smart, meaningful expansion. Each acquisition, investment, and strategic decision has been guided by our commitment to building a powerful, tech-driven ecosystem for SMBs. Seeing our vision take shape and deliver tangible value to businesses has been incredibly rewarding – both professionally and personally.
Who has been a significant influence or mentor in your career, and how have they helped shape your professional journey?
I’ve had the privilege of working with visionary leaders who taught me that customer-first innovation is the key to long-term success. One mentor, in particular, emphasized that technology should anticipate problems before they arise. That mindset has shaped my approach at Symfonia, where we focus on delivering solutions that aren’t just reactive but proactively support business growth.
What are some of your passions outside of work? What do you like to do in your time off?
I believe in lifelong learning – whether it’s staying updated on emerging technologies, reading about behavioral economics, or traveling to understand different business cultures. Beyond that, I enjoy running ultramarathons and mountain trailing. I strive to embody resilience and determination in all aspects of my life. Balance is crucial, and I always encourage my team to prioritize their well-being alongside professional success.
Which technology are you investing in now to prepare for the future?
We are adopting cloud-based solutions to ensure flexibility, scalability, and seamless access from anywhere. We take a modular approach to our products, allowing businesses to customize solutions to their specific needs rather than forcing them into one-size-fits-all systems. AI is becoming a central part of our ecosystem, helping businesses analyze data, make better decisions, and automate repetitive tasks.
Beyond the technology itself, we believe that digital transformation is a continuous process. That’s why we are committed to regular updates and continuous development, ensuring that our solutions evolve with market needs. We also invest in strong technical and educational support, so our customers can fully leverage the potential of our systems. The goal is not just to offer quality technology, but to empower businesses with the knowledge and tools they need to grow sustainably.
What are your long-term career aspirations, and how do you see yourself evolving as a leader over the next five years?
I see myself continuing to drive innovation in the SMB tech space, ensuring that businesses of all sizes have access to world-class digital tools. In the coming years, I want to mentor the next generation of tech leaders, foster an environment of continuous learning, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in business automation. Leadership is about continuous evolution, and I strive to remain adaptable and forward-thinking.
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to build a competitive edge in their respective markets?
Start with the customer, not the product. Too many companies build technology first and then look for a problem to solve. The best innovations come from deeply understanding customer pain points and solving them in a scalable, intuitive way. Another key lesson: Adaptability is everything. Markets shift, challenges arise, but businesses that embrace continuous learning and digital agility will always stay ahead.