This Spring, Budapest played host to Startup Safari 2025, the 10th edition of Hungary’s largest startup ecosystem event. Michal Hladký, director of EIT Culture & Creativity’s East Regional Hub based in Košice, Slovakia, was present and spoke at the event. Below is his report.
For two days, Budapest became a playground — a place for interesting discussions and the generation of new ideas on Artificial Intelligence, sustainability, medical and space technology and, significantly, the role culture and creativity play in the creation of a more innovative Europe.
This wasn’t just another tech conference — it was a powerful reminder of how the creative industries are becoming a driving force for transformation and collaboration. At the event, I participated in a panel and networking session on behalf of EIT Culture & Creativity.
As part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), Europe’s largest innovation network, we support creatives scale their ideas, translate innovation into impact and redefine what entrepreneurship means today.
During the panel, I highlighted our ‘100 to Watch’ initiative, which will showcase some of the most promising entrepreneurs and ventures in the cultural and creative sectors. I also introduced our newly launched acceleration and post-acceleration calls, designed to support startups ready to scale their impact.
Pictured: Michal Hladký, during a panel at Budapest’s Startup Safari 2025.
We gathered under the lead of Eszter Drevenyák, EIT’s Community Officer in Hungary, to discuss how the EIT Community can empower entrepreneurs and highlight the unique role of culture in Europe’s innovation agenda. We also discussed some practical ways to bridge ecosystems across sectors and countries.
Two key lessons stood out to me:
- Creativity is capital. Whether in design, storytelling, or product development, the value of cultural know-how in innovation is gaining recognition—especially among investors.
- Partnerships fuel progress. True change comes when creatives, funders, and institutions collaborate. Events like these are crucial to spark those synergies.
Beyond the panel, I met fascinating startups and connected with investors such as Péter Oszkó, a leading figure in Hungary’s venture scene and Managing Partner at OXO Holdings. His experience bridging public finance and private capital added meaningful depth to conversations around sustainable investment.
Startup Safari reminded us that culture and creativity are not fringe — they are foundational for any thriving society.
Create26, the event’s main venue, perfectly reflected its goal: open, agile, and community-driven. It fostered meaningful interactions between participants, whether they were discovering new ideas or seeking strategic partnerships. As always, the safari format allowed attendees to navigate their own path through the city, making serendipitous encounters part of the experience.
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