BudapestConnect: Igniting Innovation in the Startup Ecosystem

BudapestConnect: A Game-Changing Startup Ecosystem Gathering

The 18th of June marked a significant event in Budapest as the city hosted the inaugural BudapestConnect. The gathering saw over 150 founders, investors, operators, students, and ecosystem builders coming together for the launch. The event was so popular that it was fully booked days in advance, with a waitlist extending until the last moment.

Partners like EU-Startups, MeOut Group, Óbuda University, OUVC Venture Capital, Global Startup Awards, Startup Hungary, NetworkSmith.io, and Puzl CowOrKing were instrumental in making BudapestConnect a success. According to founder Martin Olczyk, “This is exactly the kind of bridge the European ecosystem needs. Talent and ambition are everywhere in CEE, what’s been missing is the connective tissue. Tonight proved how much appetite there is for it.”

What set BudapestConnect apart from other startup events was its unique approach. The event did not feature panels or pitches but focused on bringing ambitious individuals together for meaningful conversations and genuine connections.

Founders and investors from various European countries, including Italy, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, the UK, and Germany, joined the local Hungarian community at BudapestConnect. The event served as a bridge connecting the CEE ecosystem with Western Europe.

A special highlight was the presence of Evolution Equity Partners from New York, with €1.3 billion ($1.6 billion) in assets under management and investments in 13 unicorns, including Legora, a European AI champion.

BudapestConnect is the brainchild of TorinoConnect, an Italian movement that has successfully brought together hundreds of people and inspired similar events like FlorenceConnect. The vision extends beyond Budapest to create connections between Torino, Budapest, Warsaw, Milano, and beyond.

Tamás Tüske, Chief Innovation Officer at MeOut Group, emphasized the importance of uniting the ecosystem, stating, “Events like BudapestConnect are how we close the gap and enable the CEE region to compete globally.”

The success of the first edition of BudapestConnect was made possible through collaboration between universities, VC firms, media, awards, and community builders. With the international momentum growing, it’s clear that this is just the beginning, and other cities may soon follow suit.

For those interested in startup ecosystem gatherings, mark your calendars for the upcoming MeOut Summit in Budapest on the 25th and 26th of November.