Prof. Dr. Levente Kovács emphasized that deepening and reinforcing the university’s investor-oriented approach will be a key task in the coming years, as he outlined the renewal and expansion of Obuda University’s innovation ecosystem platform. The newly reappointed rector, whose five-year term began on July 15, also discussed the structural reforms aimed at better preparing graduates for the job market. During the event, the establishment of OU’s technology transfer company, Initium Venture Labs Ltd., and its Innovation Committee was announced.
At the ceremonial event held at the Museum of Fine Arts, Prof. Dr. Levente Kovács introduced the leaders of the university company and the committee members. He stated that the goal of these changes is to attract excellent innovations, sustainable projects, and talents, positioning Obuda University as a key player in the Central-Eastern European region in areas such as deep tech, artificial intelligence, medtech, fintech, and renewable energy.
The rector explained that Obuda University is developing an innovation ecosystem that includes affiliated high schools, talent development scholarships, and strengthened vocational colleges. This is complemented by the Innovation Management Doctoral School and the unique domestic venture capital company, Obuda Uni Venture Capital. The functioning of these components is supported by the newly established seven-member Innovation Committee within the university, which will make decisions on the evaluation, acceptance, and utilization of intellectual creations, as well as provide opinions and recommendations on intellectual property protection and university innovation strategy issues.
The CEO of Initium Venture Labs Ltd., Prof. Dr. Tamás Haidegger, stated that the company, established with support from the National Innovation Office, aims to facilitate the transformation of academic research and innovation into tangible products, services, and processes. He affirmed his commitment, along with his team, to strengthening the connections between academic research and industrial applications and to identifying and leveraging shared values.
Prof. Dr. Levente Kovács summarized that the innovation processes launched at Obuda University over the past five years ultimately serve to strengthen the domestic economy and society. He expressed a long-term goal of encouraging young people to be bolder in implementing their ideas, more resilient in the face of failure, more innovative in their ventures, and better prepared for bringing products to market.
