Hungary Joins The EIT Regional Innovation Booster To Help Its Best Ventures Grow

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and the Hungarian Ministry of Culture and Innovation have renewed their cooperation by signing an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), confirming that Hungary will join the EIT’s Regional Innovation Booster pilot from 2026. 

Boosting Startup Growth and Reducing Regional Innovation Gaps Across Europe 

The EIT Regional Innovation Booster is a new initiative providing targeted support to startups and scaleups in modest and moderate innovator countries, helping them grow faster, reach new markets, and attract investment. The model was first piloted in Poland, then Malta, and most recently Hungary, marking an important step in strengthening innovation capacity across the EU and reducing regional disparities. 

Science and innovation play a major role in supporting competitive growth. It is important for us to renew the cooperation agreement signed in 2019, because this serves both European and Hungarian competitiveness. The government is committed to ensuring that by 2030 Hungary becomes one of Europe’s ten most innovative countries.

Balázs Hankó, Minister of Culture and Innovation

 With this agreement, we open the opportunity for Hungarian startups to join the EIT Regional Innovation Booster. This initiative will identify startups in Hungary with high innovation potential. These ventures will then be supported jointly by both national programmes and the EIT Community, in order to accelerate their growth and to deliver concrete solutions to citizens. Hungary has many entrepreneurial talents – we will help them to realise their potential.  

Martin Kern, Director of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology

A Stronger Partnership for Hungary’s Innovation Ecosystem 

Hungary has hosted the EIT since 2010 and is home to an EIT Community Hub providing access to its Knowledge and Innovation Communities. Between 2021 and 2024, 183 Hungarian startups received support from the EIT, attracting at least €24 million in investment and bringing 23 new innovations to market. The launch of the EIT Regional Innovation Booster will further strengthen support for Hungarian start-ups, researchers, and students, and will underpin Hungary’s deeper participation in Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem. 

Example of EIT-backed Success: Turbine AI 

Hungarian-based Turbine AI uses machine-learning simulations to predict how cancer cells respond to treatments, helping drug developers design better therapies with less risk. Selected for EIT Health’s Gold Track programme, the company received tailored coaching on value creation, growth planning, and financial strategy – support that helped boost its visibility as a high-potential European health-tech innovator. 

A Platform for Long-Term Impact  

The new MoU ensures that Hungary has a stable platform and a direct gateway into Europe’s innovation networks. This strengthened cooperation is intended to deliver lasting economic and societal benefits for Hungary and the wider European community. 

Learn more about the Regional Innovation Booster.

Read the press release