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Swiss-Hungarian Innovation Forum

Event date:

09.06.2026

09:00-14:15

Venue:

BME Infopark
Q Building, B Wing, 4th Floor, room B402
2 Magyar Tudósok Körútja
1117 Budapest, Hungary

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required.

Language of the Event: English without translation

The Embassy of Switzerland in Hungary, Swisscham Hungary and the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) are pleased to invite you to the

Swiss-Hungarian Innovation Forum

Switzerland and Hungary share a long tradition of excellence in science, technology, research and industrial innovation. Bringing together leaders from academia, business and research institutions, the Forum aims to create a platform for dialogue, exchange of knowledge and future cooperation between the two countries.

The programme will explore topics such as innovative ecosystems, technology transfer, industry-academia collaboration and the path from research to market applications. Through keynote speeches, panel discussions and company presentations, participants will gain insight into inspiring Swiss and Hungarian best practices, successful partnerships and emerging innovation trends.

The event is part of the Swiss-Hungarian anniversary programme marking the 80th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Hungary, highlighting our shared commitment to innovation, education and future-oriented cooperation.

9 June 2026

Registration • Coffee
9:00 – 09:30    

Opening
9:30 – 10:00    

Welcoming words and Opening Address

  • H.E. Alexander Renggli, Ambassador of Switzerland to Hungary
  • Prof. Dr. Hassan Charaf, Rector, Budapest University of Technology and Economics
  • Dr. Péter Horváth, State Secretary for Science Policy and Innovation, Ministry of Science and Technology

Moderator: Júlia Lipovecz - Swisscham Hungary

Part I
Innovative Ecosystems
10:00-11:30    

Innovation Ecosystem at BME

  • Prof. Dr. János Levendovszky
    Vice-Rector for Innovation of BME

Keynote

  • Prof. em. Dr. Alexander Zehnder
    former President of the Board, ETH Zürich

Panel discussion

  • Prof. em. Dr. Alexander Zehnder - former President of the Board, ETH Zürich
  • Prof. Dr. Balázs Gulyás - President, HUN-REN
  • Péter Noszek CEO, Nestlé Hungary, President of Hungarian Manager Association

Moderator: Balázs Dobos - Innovation and Business Development Manager, Code Intelligence

Pitch Session (during panel)

  • Viktor Bullain - MetMax Europe - On collaboration with ETH
  • Dr. Pál Koppa - aHead Photonix Start-Up challenges with ecosystem
  • Péter Turek, Global Head of Women Health Care, Richter Gedeon

Q&A

11:30-11:55

Coffee Break & Poster Session
BME Proof-of-concept poster presentations by BME

Part II
From Lab to Market
11:55-13:15    

Keynote

Prof. Robert Somogyi - Chief Operating Officer, Hungarian Innovation Agency

Panel discussion

  • Prof. Robert Somogyi - Chief Operating Officer, Hungarian Innovation Agency
  • Miklós Verseghi-Nagy - CEO, BME Innolab
  • Dr. Adam Gontarz - Head of Digitalisation and Innovation, SWISSMEM
  • Péter Ivanics - Manager, ABB Hungary

Moderator:
Vanda Galambos - Health Policy Center Lead, Roche Hungary

Pitch Session (during panel)

  • István Lám - founder of Tresorit / Swiss Post
  • János Lazányi - CEO, PCB design
  • Miklós Andorka - Partner, WTS Hungary, Pitch on financing innovation
  • András Berecz - CEO, Sika Hungary

Q&A

13:15-14:15

Networking lunch