Meet the angels who can back you

What selected startups get

• Warm introductions

  If we see a fit, we introduce you personally to investors, mentors and experts who back what you're building.

• A room of the right people

  Selected startups pitch at Startup Arena to HunBAN's angels and investors, alongside founders and partners from the network.

• Honest feedback

  After your pitch, investors share their interest and their questions. You learn what worked and what to sharpen.

• A network that stays

  Once you're in, you're in. We keep you in mind when the right investor, mentor or partner turns up.

Questions founders ask

Does HunBAN invest in startups?

HunBAN is not a fund. Our members are private and institutional investors who decide and invest individually. We bring you together.

What is Startup Arena?

Startup Arena is HunBAN’s monthly pitch event, held throughout the year with breaks in summer and over Christmas. It’s held in English, at rotating partner venues in Budapest. Each edition opens with a fireside chat, then selected startups give a 5-minute pitch, with room for questions afterwards, in front of our angels, investors and an open audience from across our network. Pitching is free for founders: we select the startups from the applications we receive. Investor members who couldn’t be there receive the pitch recordings, so your pitch reaches beyond the room.

Who can apply?

Early-stage startups with a real link to Hungary, for example:

• A fully Hungarian founding team, in Hungary or abroad
• At least one Hungarian co-founder, wherever you're building
• Foreign founders building in Hungary
• A Hungarian advisor on the team
• A team or office in Hungary
• A Hungarian investor on your cap table or in your current round
• An active presence in the Hungarian market
• A base close enough to meet investors in Budapest, like Vienna, Bratislava or Belgrade

What if I'm not selected to pitch?

Not being selected is often a matter of timing, not quality. If there's a fit, we'll stay in touch and, where we can, connect you with mentors, founders or angels who can help. You're welcome to reapply to Startup Arena after a year, or sooner if you've made a major pivot.

What makes a strong application?

Every eligible application gets a reply. Eligible means:

• Written in English
• Every field filled in, with your deck and materials attached
• A clear connection to Hungary
• Early stage
• A real company, not just an idea

Does applying create any obligation?

No. Applying is free and creates no contract on either side. HunBAN decides independently which startups to invite, and may decline or stop considering an application at any time without giving a reason. Your data is handled as described in our privacy notice at hunban.eu/privacy.