[Budapest], [2024.06.12.] – The V4-Ukraine Talent Fusion Program has successfully concluded. This important initiative was aimed at supporting and integrating startups and innovators in the Visegrad region under the leadership of Obuda Uni Venture Capital (HU), in collaboration with Accelpoint (PL), the Rivne IT Cluster (UA), and Insane Business Ideas (CZ). The program, funded by the International Visegrad Fund, was designed to enhance the visibility of participating startups and further develop their innovative projects.
The program began with the Tech Talent Superstars events, held in March in Budapest, Prague, and Warsaw, attracting many participants collectively. The second pillar of the program was the Go & Grow Masterclasses series, which delivered practical knowledge through 12 online webinars. More than 300 young learners registered for the courses. From these educational and exciting presentations, a Knowledge Hub was created on the program's website, where anyone can freely revisit all the training sessions.
The final element of the project was the #IamPitching @CEEcosystem Summit Competition, which began with an online round. Startups registered in the V4 region and Ukraine could apply with a two-minute video. The videos were showcased on the program's website and its YouTube channel, where collected votes could win valuable prizes. The most popular teams were SUPPtrail, Zonifero, and DEPO, who won thousands of euros worth of prizes thanks to Tőkeportál, Infobip, MBH Fintechlab, Startup Online, StartupBlink, ROI Joy Agency, Global Startup Awards, CIB Bank, Budapest Stock Exchange, and Spizmüller Bence Law Firm.
Following the online round, the program concluded with an event in Budapest, where startups pitched their ideas in front of a knowledgeable jury. The investors and subject matter experts included: Péter Oszkó, founder and managing partner of OXO Holdings, Imre Hild, CEO of Obuda Uni Venture Capital, Mary Alcantara, investment partner at Interactive Venture Partners, and Baiba Rozenberga, head of the startup division at MBH Fintechlab.
Six teams represented Poland, three represented the Czech Republic, three Hungary, and one Ukraine. The Ukrainian team, MyPass, was able to participate online due to mobilization regulations and travel restrictions. Within the framework of the V4-Ukraine Talent Fusion Program, Imre Hild reiterated his thought in a previous interview given to CED, stating,
“The biggest bottleneck for startups and small businesses is discoverability.”
About the organisers:
OUVC, serves as the Óbuda University’s dedicated investment fund and Venture Studio, committing to invest 26M EUR over a span of 10 years, earmarking amounts ranging from 52K to 774K EUR to foster innovative ideas that aspire to create a better world. Aided by vetted professionals with extensive subject matter expertise and network, the management of OUVC possesses a collective expertise of over 60 years in innovation programmes. They have proficiently administered numerous grants, collaborated with corporations, and provided counsel to governments on innovation strategies.
Accelpoint is a smart tech startup accelerator that has been operational since 2018. Working alongside international partners, Tier 1 international and Polish corporations, as well as top business mentors, it aids startups in fundraising both in Poland and abroad.
The Rivne IT Cluster embodies a collective of proactive individuals who have congregated on public grounds with the primary aim of bolstering the growth of the IT industry both within the city and the wider Rivne region. This collective comprises modern, successful, and forward-thinking IT companies. The ensemble not only includes local teams but also encompasses representatives from national and international IT market players who have established offices in the Rivne region.
Insane Business Ideas emerges as a European technology innovation boutique positioned at the forefront of cutting-edge advancements within the realms of artificial intelligence, healthcare, sustainability, and urban development. With a celebrated track record of excellence, coupled with a profound commitment to nurturing innovation, it is adeptly poised to play a critical role in fortifying the startup ecosystem across the Visegrád countries.
The project is co-financed by the Governments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from the International Visegrad Fund. The mission of the fund is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.
The International Visegrad Fund is an international donor organization established by the governments of the Visegrad Group (V4) countries (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia). Its aim is to support closer understanding and cooperation among people in the V4 region, as well as between the V4 region and other countries and regions, particularly in the non-EU neighborhood of the Eastern Partnership countries and in the Western Balkans. The fund fosters the development of civil society by financing joint grant projects and by awarding university scholarships and artist residencies. The fund’s annual budget of €8 million consists of equal contributions by the V4 governments.
