The University of Miskolc and the University of Szeged have jointly launched a nationally significant Proof of Concept program to accelerate the commercialisation of academic research results. The opening event in Miskolc was hosted at the University Campus by InnoME TTC, the project company of the University of Miskolc, on 11 November 2025.
Implemented in partnership between the Technology Transfer Center of the University of Szeged (SZTE TTC Zrt.) and the Technology Transfer Center of the University of Miskolc (InnoME TTC Kft.), the Proof of Concept program aims to transform academic research outcomes into market-ready innovations and technologies. The initiative also supports the creation of startups, spin-offs, and new corporate collaborations.
The cooperation combines the complementary fields of excellence of Szeged and Miskolc, covering the full innovation value chain — from fundamental research and technology validation to market entry. This partnership marks a new chapter in Hungary’s research, development, and innovation landscape. The launch of the program is supported by nearly HUF 500 million in non-refundable funding from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund (Grant ID: 2024-2.1.3-POC-2025-00005).
At the opening event held in Miskolc, Beáta Várnai, Managing Director of InnoME TTC Kft., emphasized:
At the opening event held in Miskolc, Beáta Várnai, Managing Director of InnoME TTC Kft., emphasized:
Our objective is to ensure that an increasing share of the University of Miskolc’s research results become tangible market value, generating real economic and societal impact. The Proof of Concept program provides exactly the type of resources that bridge the critical gap between an idea and a fully realized innovation.
Representing the consortium’s lead institution, András Ujhegyi, CEO of SZTE Technológia Transzfer Zrt., highlighted:
The collaboration between the two university innovation centers serves as an exemplary model on a national scale. This program supports the transformation of academic expertise into competitive products and services.
As a result of the consortium, both regions will benefit from enhanced knowledge transfer, new industry partnerships, accelerated development processes, and strengthened economic dynamism. This was reinforced during the event by Réka Barabás, Director at the National Innovation Agency, which provides professional support to the technology transfer companies.
The event placed a strong emphasis on the key goals of the Proof of Concept program: assessing the practical feasibility of innovative ideas; developing prototypes and early-stage technological outputs; strengthening knowledge transfer between the University of Miskolc and the corporate sector; supporting product-oriented research; promoting market-driven thinking; and fostering co-innovation between the two universities.
