hungarian business Angel network
Upcoming events
about us
Hungarian Business Angel Network (HUNBAN) – the official angel investor association of Hungary – was incorporated in April 2017. Its aim is to welcome and unite all business angels who are interested in investment opportunities not only on a local, but a regional level as well. The network’s mission is to integrate Hungary into the international circulation of business angels and truly represent both the companies and the investors’ interests.
Who are business angels?
Angel investors are those individuals who help and invest in early-stage businesses: not just with financial investment, but with professional support and network.
Our activities
The association organizes a community of active Angel investors of Hungary and Central and Eastern Europe and individuals or organizations associated with the business angel community.Our founders had an active role prior to the formal establishment of the Association usually on a pro bono basis.The purpose of the association is to increase the efficiency of the Hungarian business angel market, the quantitative and qualitative development of startup investments, and the development of the startup ecosystem in the region.We have regular professional forums to assure the exchange of views between members: They can share experiences, knowledge and good practice. We work on connecting to foreign angel investors in order to build up a wide network and ensure cross-border deals.HUNBAN has more than 700 subscribers. Join us!
Board Members
Péter Csillag
President
president@hunban.euTechnology business executive
Co-founder and ex-CEO of Starschema
Peter is a technology business building and scaling veteran. For some years he had worked as a data technology expert at large multinational enterprises, then founded Starschema, the most successful Hungarian data technology service provider serving Fortune500 clients globally. As long-time bootstrapping CEO Peter has experience in many areas: solving technical problems, building tech and non-tech teams, operating HR, recruitment, finances, managing projects, and products, setting up and scaling support services, company operations, legal and administrative processes, hunting, and farming clients, building sales organizations, B2B marketing, creating growth strategy, financial planning, VC and M&A deals both on sell and buy-side, legal disputes, incorporations, and many more. Peter has a good overview of what founders need to grow a global tech business and has the attitude to help and mentor them to reach their potentials.
As a business angel, Peter primarily focuses on B2B technology startups, but he is fine to explore outstanding opportunities from other domains as well.
Current investment(s): VIZZU, VirtDB, Redmenta, Sharee, Ecohills
Barbara Verő
Board Member
Barbara Verő has a solid corporate HR background, with 18 years of experience—though she always felt it wasn’t the right environment for her. Constantly challenging the status quo, she made the leap into the startup ecosystem at the end of 2019. In the past three years, she has learned more about herself than ever before. Now, she focuses on developing startup leaders and teams to unlock their full potential.As a Board member of HunBAN, she seeks to learn from more experienced angels and co-invest with them to round out her skillset. Her investment focus is on the entrepreneur as an individual—she strives to be the first to recognize a founder’s potential.Her mission: Believe in yourself so I can do the same
Dénes Csiszár
Board memberEarly stage startup advisor
Impact architect
Dénes is an early-stage startup enthusiast, with a mission to help launching more and more impactful organisations. He’s active in the ecosystem since 2008, arriving from the corporate technology and business development world. He co-founded several startups himself and raised capital in several rounds, after which he even ran a startup incubator for a while. He mentored, taught and coached over 150 early-stage startups so far, from validation to business planning, from market sizing to fundraising. Dénes is the project leader of the Entrepreneurship track within the full-time MBA program at the Corvinus University. He co-founded eSzínház, an online service which streams plays from Hungarian theatres, supporting them to survive during and after the pandemic. He currently runs an impact agency, helping early-stage impact startups and NGOs with technology- and business services at Liber Primus.
full members
Associate members
Address: Hungary, 1011 Budapest, Hunyadi János út 20.
E-mail: info@hunban.eu
Is Your Startup Ready for Angel Investment?
HunBAN focuses on early-stage companies with potential for high returns. Apply if your company:
Located in the European Union
Expected fund is between €50k and €500k
A strong business plan is a must have
What are we looking for?
At HunBAN, we are a community of private angel investors who invest our own money directly into promising startups. As a non-profit organization, we focus on supporting early-stage companies seeking investment for financial and strategic growth. Our members provide not just funding but also mentorship, strategic guidance, and access to valuable industry connections. While we are not a large venture capital fund, we take a hands-on approach to helping startups succeed.To build strong partnerships, our angels look for the following key attributes in startups:
Team
We invest in passionate, committed teams that are ready to build and grow their businesses. Since angel investing is more than just financial support, we value founders who are open to input, adaptable, and willing to collaborate. Trust and a strong working relationship are essential, as our investors actively engage with startups to help them succeed.Market Opportunity
A great idea is just the starting point—it needs a real, scalable market. Our investors look for startups addressing clear customer needs with significant growth potential. Show us who your customers are, the scale of the opportunity, and why your solution stands out. While not every business is suited for angel investment, those with strong market demand and potential for scalability catch our attention.Technology & Innovation
We prefer startups bringing fresh, first-of-their-kind solutions rather than minor improvements to existing products. Is your innovation a ‘must-have’ rather than a ‘nice-to-have’? While we welcome deep-tech and innovative solutions, they need a clear business model and path to commercialization. Science projects without a viable route to market are unlikely to secure investment from our members.Competitive Advantage
What makes your startup stand out? Our angels look for a strong, defensible competitive edge—whether that’s proprietary technology, exclusive partnerships, unique expertise, or access to a hard-to-replicate resource. Demonstrating how your business can maintain and expand this advantage over time is key to attracting investment.Exit Strategy
Angel investing involves risk, so our investors seek opportunities with a realistic path to returns. While we are long-term partners, founders should have a clear strategy for an eventual exit—whether through acquisition, buyout, or another route. A strong business plan that outlines how the company will grow and create value for investors is essential.Fit
Our network brings together investors from diverse industries, but we focus on sectors where we can add real value. If your startup aligns with our expertise, we can provide hands-on support alongside funding. If your business falls outside our scope, it doesn’t necessarily mean a ‘no’—but we’ll be honest if we’re not the best fit and may help point you toward other funding options.
We invest in passionate, committed teams that are ready to build and grow their businesses. Since angel investing is more than just financial support, we value founders who are open to input, adaptable, and willing to collaborate. Trust and a strong working relationship are essential, as our investors actively engage with startups to help them succeed.
A great idea is just the starting point—it needs a real, scalable market. Our investors look for startups addressing clear customer needs with significant growth potential. Show us who your customers are, the scale of the opportunity, and why your solution stands out. While not every business is suited for angel investment, those with strong market demand and potential for scalability catch our attention.
We prefer startups bringing fresh, first-of-their-kind solutions rather than minor improvements to existing products. Is your innovation a ‘must-have’ rather than a ‘nice-to-have’? While we welcome deep-tech and innovative solutions, they need a clear business model and path to commercialization. Science projects without a viable route to market are unlikely to secure investment from our members.
What makes your startup stand out? Our angels look for a strong, defensible competitive edge—whether that’s proprietary technology, exclusive partnerships, unique expertise, or access to a hard-to-replicate resource. Demonstrating how your business can maintain and expand this advantage over time is key to attracting investment.
Angel investing involves risk, so our investors seek opportunities with a realistic path to returns. While we are long-term partners, founders should have a clear strategy for an eventual exit—whether through acquisition, buyout, or another route. A strong business plan that outlines how the company will grow and create value for investors is essential.
Our network brings together investors from diverse industries, but we focus on sectors where we can add real value. If your startup aligns with our expertise, we can provide hands-on support alongside funding. If your business falls outside our scope, it doesn’t necessarily mean a ‘no’—but we’ll be honest if we’re not the best fit and may help point you toward other funding options.
Simple Application Process
1. Complete the Application
Fill out our application form with accurate information.2. Initial Review
We’ll review your application and provide feedback within 2-3 weeks to ensure all necessary data is provided.3. Investor Screening
Our investor-screening group meets monthly to assess applications and decide whether to invite you to pitch at one of our events or recommend you to work with partners to refine your pitch.4. Pitch Your Startup
If you’re selected, you’ll be invited to pitch to our investors, receiving valuable feedback on your product or service.5. Due Diligence
If there’s interest from our investors, they will proceed with due diligence and continued discussions with you.6. Investment
Ideally, this process will culminate in a term sheet and investment in your company.
Submit your application now!
Check the submission deadlines below.
| Title | Application Deadline | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Starter Pitch Night | March 19th | March 27th |
Complete this quick application to be considered for investment, mentorship, and strategic guidance from HunBAN’s network of experienced angel investors. Take the first step toward scaling your startup with the right support!
Join us!
Are you a (future) business angel?
Check if you meet the criteria of the Hungarian Business Angel Network members.
You already made your own fortune. Now you would like to give back to the society through supporting young entrepreneurs with innovational products/ideas.
You would like to help these projects not only financially but with your EXPERTISE, EXPERIENCE, and NETWORK.
You plan to start it within the next two years.
Satisfied the requirements?
Congratulations! You are a great Business Angel material!
Advantages of joining us
Our members have access to high-quality investments within Hungary and the Central and Eastern European region. We are committed to building up a network of business angels in order to collaborate on deals, share experience and motivation.
Knowing about the greatest projects let us give our members the feeling of a great return on their investment.
We organize regular conferences, forums and showcases of potential projects.
The annual membership fee is used for the general operations of the association. The membership fee is VAT-free.
To start the application process, please fill out this application form, and we will contact you soon.
NEWS
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Addressing the investment gap: A new project funded by the European Union has been launched, aimed at building a robust early-stage investment pipeline in Central and Eastern Europe
Healthy Investment Central Eastern Europe (HICEE) aims to boost innovations in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), where start-ups receive only a third of the European average for VC investments.
The project consortium is spearheaded by EIT Health, Europe's leading network of healthcare innovators, and a part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union. The project partners represent business acceleration service providers and investor networks from Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia, as well as innovation hubs from Belgium and the Netherlands. The two-year initiative is strategically implemented under Horizon Europe, a flagship EU research and innovation programme.The CEE region accounted for only 3.2% of Europe's total venture capital investment in 2021. The start-ups receiving support in this region received an average venture capital investment of €1.2 million, representing a third of the European average of €3.8 million. Attracting capital is one of the biggest challenges in developing European regions, known as modest and moderate innovation ecosystems, according to the European Innovation Scoreboard. The reasons include both fewer venture targets and a low number of investors, as well as an unwillingness to invest capital across borders.
“Research indicates that the investment gap in CEE is due to a lack of critical mass in both projects and investors. HICEE addresses this by focusing on supporting Tech Transfer Offices, cultivating knowledge-sharing through capacity building, and by building suitable investor infrastructure for early-stage ventures. The programme recognises the specific challenges faced by health and life science start-ups and aims to equip stakeholders with the knowledge needed for successful market translation”, explains Magda Krakowiak, Director of the EIT Health Accelerator.Attracting €3M in capital with cross-border co-investments
The aim of the HICEE project is to create sustainable early-stage investment ecosystems, attract local and international investors, provide de-risking support, and actively share successful outcomes to foster continuous investor engagement. It will run its first activities in countries where partners are based, namely Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia. However, its outreach and training opportunities will extend to other modest and moderate European regions. The programme is expected to equip at least 10 start-up support organisations, such as Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs), with new methodologies. It also aims to train an additional 30 trainers who have the potential to impact up to 150 innovation projects/start-up ventures annually. Other expected outcomes include vetting 25 health start-ups for advanced investment readiness in international markets and attracting millions in cross-border co-investments. Digital investment handbooks and a white paper on investment policies, published as a part of the project’s commitment to knowledge-sharing, will serve as invaluable guides for investors, contributing to a more informed and empowered investment community.Targeting TTOs, universities, investors, and innovators, HICEE emphasises collaboration for sustained innovation in the region. The programme seeks to directly engage with the European Investment Fund, regional and national innovation agencies, and European policymakers to create an environment fostering long-term growth and forging living and lasting connections between innovation players in the region and beyond.HICEE consortium partners
Project consortium consists of 10 partners from 7 European countries. This includes EIT Health (DE) as a coordinator, its affiliated entity EIT Health SI (DE) and the primary beneficiaries, namely EIT Health InnoStars (DE), Civitta (SK), flanders.healthTech (BE), Cobinangels (PL), Ljubljanski univerzitetni incubator (SI), TU Delft (NL), Crowdverry (SK), Magyar Üzleti Angyal Egyesület (HU).Additionally, the initiative will be drawing on the expertise of external stakeholders and advisory group
Members, i.e. KU Leuven (BE), Danube Angels (AT). Hungarian Export Promotion Agency Nonprofit, Inc. (HU), Business Angels Europe BAE (BE), Karolinska Institutet Innovations AB KII (SE), European Investment Fund EIF (LU), Invest Europe IE (BE), Arima d.o.o / Business Angels of Slovenia (SI).
Most of the HICEE consortium partners are already involved in activities closely linked to the project's scope in their regions. Civitta runs an accelerator programme. Additionally, Civitta, TU Delft, Ljubljanski univerzitetni incubator and InnoStars have a very strong track record of collaborative joint programmes like the DRIVE programme or the RIS Jumpstarter programme. EIT Health and the EIF already have a trusted working relationship and provide de-risked deal-flow to associated European investors through joint development of the Venture Center of Excellence (VCoE), a public-private co-investment programme connected to the €150 million Sustainable Development Umbrella Fund (SDUF).There are also untapped opportunities in the health-tech field of Hungary, and the Hungarian Business Angel Network (HunBAN) aims to help filling this investment gap through the HICEE project. We will discover startups operating in the health-tech sector and connect them with ecosystem players and business angels. We will also encourage and help the local early stage investors to broaden their portfolio and invest in health-tech startups. It is also an important objective to increase cross-border co-investments in the CEE region through collaboration with other consortium members and further market players. In the next 2 years we are going to work on expanding the horizon and increasing the critical mass of projects and investors in the health-tech sector.