16
INVENTED IN HUNGARY
IGNITING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL ROCKETS Startup companies can greatly contribute to the GDP growth of a country. They can generate high income with low investment and they can create jobs. In order to foster creative thinking and the startup culture, it is of utmost importance for the young generation to be open to innovation, and to be able to make a profit from their ideas. Krisztián Kölkedi, head of department at the National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NKFIH) and head of the Hungarian University Startup Program (HSUP) talks with the Budapest Business Journal about making that reality. By Kálmán Béres BBJ: The NKFIH not only supports the innovation of existing companies, but also the spread of a new approach. What is at the core of this new initiative? Krisztián Kölkedi: The aim of the office is to go beyond the role of a funding agency, towards a service agency in R&D and innovation. This means that it provides not only the classic financial resources, but handles the whole innovation ecosystem as one process, thus offering complex solutions to those interested. We believe that innovation does not start with SMEs or with companies: there is an increasing focus on the youth, the innovators of the future. Our concept is that we need
to present the available opportunities as early as possible, already in high school, so that we can teach students in higher education applied courses. This year, we will offer in high schools the InnoGEN platform, while university students will have access to the more complex Hungarian Startup University Program (HSUP), allowing them to become innovative entrepreneurs. BBJ: Using web browsers, young people can access any information. What is the “plus” that this program offers? KK: First, we need to separate the two programs. Since the information available is decentralized and their availability is relative, those searching for information do not know where they can find it. It would be useful for
the young to have a platform where they can reach all the information in one place: competitions, scholarships, applications, everything that this generation needs in terms of innovation. That is why we developed the InnoGEN platform, which aims to be an umbrella brand and a community where the common denominator is a solution-centered, innovative approach. This way innovation can become a bridge between generations. Under this umbrella we gather the “brands” for the young, be it a program, contest or scholarship, or really anything that is related to RDI and connects generations to the ecosystem and helps them. One of the most recent and spectacular result of this effort is HSUP, the program created by NKFIH together with universities and companies. Here we offer not only information and knowledge sharing, but a very elaborated, two-semester course available at 21 universities. Four other universities already signed up for the program and the list is expanding further. In the current pilot year, more than 1,700 students registered for the course. It has three very basic goals. The first is to allow as many young people as possible to understand the importance of innovation and the opportunities within. It is not our aim to make everybody an entrepreneur, but to show them the full spectrum of opportunities. If they come to realize that this is not for them, no problem. But if they are interested and come up with an idea, they have our full support. Not forcing anything, but giving them a chance to grow. This is the first course available countrywide, unified and complex. The curriculum is fully online, available by e-learning, everything is the same for all 21 universities across Hungary. The first semester is about raising awareness and offering basic information. At the end of the first semester the students will take an
