The experience of one of the world’s most innovative countries and Hungary’s growing technological, engineering, and research potential will come together on June 9 in Budapest at the first-ever Swiss–Hungarian Innovation Forum. The event is jointly organised by the Embassy of Switzerland in Hungary, the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME), and Swisscham Hungary Swiss-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce, and will take place in Building Q of BME.
The forum aims to give new momentum to innovation, business, and scientific cooperation between the two countries. Its central focus is on how research results can be transformed into marketable solutions, ideas into businesses, and cooperation into economic growth.
The event is particularly timely as Switzerland and Hungary celebrate the 80th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations in 2026. This jubilee year not only highlights the shared history of the two countries but also underscores how the next chapter of Swiss–Hungarian relations could be defined by innovation, knowledge sharing, and competitiveness.
According to Alexander Renggli, Ambassador of Switzerland to Hungary, the forum seeks to open traditionally strong bilateral relations toward future economic and technological cooperation.
“As we celebrate 80 years of renewed diplomatic relations, this forum is an opportunity to look ahead. Switzerland’s experience as a global innovation leader and Hungary’s growing technological and engineering capabilities create a strong foundation for future cooperation. By connecting researchers, startups, companies, and investors, we can help turn knowledge into innovation, innovation into business opportunities, and cooperation into shared prosperity,” said Ambassador Renggli.
Switzerland has ranked among the world’s innovation leaders for many years and holds first place in the 2025 Global Innovation Index for the fifteenth consecutive year. One of the key lessons of the Swiss model is that competitiveness depends not on the performance of a single actor, but on a well-functioning ecosystem in which universities, research institutes, companies, startups, investors, and supportive institutions and regulatory frameworks work closely together.
This experience can provide tangible value for Hungary as well. Switzerland already has a significant economic presence in the country: more than 900 Swiss companies operate in Hungary, providing approximately 33,000 jobs, and Switzerland is the sixth-largest foreign investor. The forum aims to complement this strong economic foundation by fostering new partnerships in innovation, research and development, and technology transfer.
The event will begin with keynote addresses from distinguished speakers, including Ambassador Alexander Renggli, Rector Hassan Charaf, and State Secretary Dr. Péter Horváth. Innovation-related topics will be introduced by János Levendovszky, Vice Rector for Innovation at BME. The forum will also feature a panel discussion with leading international and Hungarian experts – including Alexander Zehnder, former President of the Board at ETH Zurich and representatives of major industry and research organisations such as Nestlé and HUN-REN – offering insights into the functioning of innovative ecosystems.
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The second thematic session, titled “From Lab to Market,” will bring together industry leaders and innovation experts from ABB, the National Innovation Agency, SWISSMEM, and BME Innolab. They will share their experiences regarding technology commercialisation and the challenges of bringing innovations to market. Participants will also gain practical insights through startup pitch sessions, case studies, and a poster exhibition showcasing BME’s Proof-of-Concept projects, illustrating the journey from research to commercialisation.
According to Júlia Lipovecz, Managing Director of Swisscham Hungary, “the event represents an important step in strengthening ties between the Swiss and Hungarian innovation ecosystems. The Swiss-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices while creating new business and research partnerships between the two countries.”
Beyond economic cooperation, academic and research collaboration may become another key pillar of the Swiss–Hungarian innovation partnership. BME’s role is therefore significant not only as host but also as a knowledge and technology transfer hub capable of connecting research outcomes with industrial and market needs.
“The forum opens a new perspective for BME as an active partner joining Switzerland’s dynamic innovation ecosystem,” said Rector Hassan Charaf. “BME’s participation is expected to strengthen international research collaboration, accelerate technology transfer, and create new opportunities for future innovators.”
The Swiss–Hungarian Innovation Forum conveys a clear message: innovation may become the next major field of cooperation between the two countries. Swiss experience, Hungarian engineering and scientific expertise, and collaboration among business actors can create new opportunities for translating research into practical applications and entering international markets, the organisers emphasised.
The detailed program and registration are available here.
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