Last week, InnovateMeOut, organised by MeOut Group, brought together founders, investors, startup leaders, and ecosystem builders from across Europe for two days of discussions, networking, and collaboration in Szeged and Budapest.
With more than 100 attendees, participants from 11 countries, and 15 international speakers, the initiative created a platform where conversations around AI, startup growth, ecosystem building, and Europe’s innovation future moved beyond theory into practical exchange and meaningful connection.
The event reinforced MeOut’s broader mission of connecting innovation ecosystems across Central Europe and beyond through international collaboration and community-driven initiatives.
The first and largest edition of InnovateMeOut took place on 21 May at the Szent-Györgyi Albert Agóra in Szeged, gathering startup ecosystem leaders, founders, and innovation professionals for an afternoon of panels, keynotes, and networking.
The programme explored how technology, entrepreneurship, and ecosystem collaboration are reshaping the future of innovation across Europe.
One of the central discussions focused on the growing role of artificial intelligence in startup sales and customer operations.
Moderated by Péter Kovács, the panel featured:
The discussion examined how startups are integrating AI tools, automation, and customer intelligence into business operations, while also reflecting on the limitations and strategic use of AI in modern sales environments.
This topic was further expanded during the keynote session “Stop Using AI In Sales!”, delivered by Jan van Schuppen, which challenged common assumptions around AI adoption and highlighted the importance of human-centred sales strategies.
The second panel in Szeged focused on cross-border ecosystem building and the growing importance of collaboration between Western and Central European innovation communities.
The discussion, moderated by Péter Kovács, included:
Speakers explored how startup ecosystems can strengthen international cooperation, create more inclusive innovation networks, and support founders through stronger community structures and cross-border collaboration.
The conversation also highlighted the increasing importance of media platforms, ecosystem visibility, and international partnerships in strengthening Europe’s competitiveness within the global innovation landscape.
On 22 May, InnovateMeOut continued in Budapest at KLUSTER, where the format shifted toward a more intimate and discussion-driven environment.
The Budapest edition focused on deeper conversations around innovation, networking, media, and ecosystem growth, creating space for more direct exchanges between founders, investors, and innovation leaders.
A panel discussion on the role of AI in modern networking was moderated by Yazan Othman and featured:
The conversation explored how digital technologies and AI are transforming the way professional relationships, startup ecosystems, and business communities are built and maintained.
The Budapest programme also featured a keynote by Kim Balle, titled “The new status quo for the global innovation landscape”, reflecting on the rapid evolution of international startup ecosystems and the changing dynamics of global innovation.
One of the highlights of the Budapest edition was the fireside conversation between Tamás Tüske and Thomas Ohr, titled:
The session explored the future of European startup ecosystems, the role of media in innovation development, and how stronger international collaboration can contribute to a more competitive Europe.
The discussion reflected many of the broader themes of InnovateMeOut itself: meaningful networking, ecosystem building, and creating long-term partnerships across borders.
InnovateMeOut demonstrated the growing importance of connecting innovation ecosystems through direct dialogue, collaboration, and international exchange.
The conversations started in Szeged and Budapest will continue this November during the MeOut Summit powered by EU-Startups and Global Startup Awards, a new flagship innovation event taking place in Budapest.
The summit will bring together founders, investors, corporates, policymakers, and ecosystem leaders from across Europe and beyond for two days of networking, discussions, and ecosystem collaboration.
More information: https://meoutsummit.com/
🎟 Register here
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