On 24 March 2026, the Budapest Startup Safari 2026 returned for its 11th edition, once again confirming its position as Hungary’s leading startup ecosystem event. Hosted at Create26, the event gathered entrepreneurs, investors, and innovation leaders for a full day of knowledge sharing, collaboration, and networking.
Supported by the National Innovation Agency of Hungary (NIÜ), the startup event in Budapest provided a dynamic platform to explore the latest trends shaping the Hungarian and European innovation ecosystem.
The programme featured a strong lineup of speakers, including Petya Balogh, Dr. Péter Oszkó, Orsolya Csetri, Eszter Ágnes Danyi, and Tamás Barathi, alongside many other prominent voices from the ecosystem.
Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, participants explored a wide range of topics shaping today’s startup and innovation ecosystem. The programme offered valuable insights and practical perspectives on current trends, challenges, and opportunities, highlighting how technology, collaboration, and innovation continue to influence business development and growth.
A key highlight of the event was the roundtable discussion on “Community in Innovation Management”, where our Innovation Director, Tamás Tüske, and Péter Kovács, Advisor - Venture Ecosystem Strategy at EU-Startups, joined industry experts to explore the evolving role of communities in innovation.
The discussion reflected on how, a decade ago, ecosystems thrived on strong, physical networks and highly engaged communities. In contrast, today’s innovation ecosystems operate in a more hybrid environment, where digital platforms and remote collaboration play an increasingly important role.
The roundtable was moderated by Sudy Istvan (Chief Innovation Officer, O3 Partners), who guided the conversation together with Lawrence Aronhime (Teaching Professor at Johns Hopkins University) and Varga Karoly (CEO and Co-Founder, CraftHub).
The panel explored several key themes, including the definition of community in innovation, how different ecosystems have built and sustained their own communities, and the distinction between communities and networks. The discussion also addressed fundamental questions such as whether physical networking still holds relevance in the age of digital innovation, and where innovation truly happens today - online, offline, or within hybrid environments.
A strong emphasis was placed on the role of trust, shared values, and bringing people together as the foundation of successful communities. The conversation highlighted that while digitalisation has transformed the way we connect, meaningful human connections and well-designed communities remain essential for driving innovation, collaboration, and ecosystem growth.
Beyond the formal programme, Budapest Startup Safari 2026 continued to emphasise its role as a meeting point for startup ecosystems. Participants engaged in networking sessions, 1-on-1 meetings, and informal exchanges that fostered new partnerships and collaboration opportunities.
The return of the reverse pitch format, following its success in previous editions, provided a unique perspective by allowing investors and organisations to present opportunities directly to startups.
These interactions reinforced the importance of networking in the startup ecosystem, enabling participants to discover funding opportunities, exchange ideas, and build meaningful connections.
This year’s edition demonstrated that the Hungarian startup ecosystem continues to evolve, driven by strong communities, innovative thinking, and increasing international collaboration.
As discussions throughout the event highlighted, the future of innovation lies in the ability to combine digital tools, physical interaction, and community-driven approaches to create sustainable and impactful ecosystems.
At MeOut and EU-Startups, we are proud to contribute to these conversations and support initiatives that strengthen innovation, entrepreneurship, and ecosystem development across Europe.
We look forward to continuing these discussions at the upcoming EU-Startups Summit 2026, where founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders will once again come together to shape the future of innovation.
P.S.: MeOut Group is offering a limited number of private discounts for the EU-Startups Summit 2026. By subscribing to our newsletter, you’ll have the opportunity to join the priority list and access these exclusive offers.
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