National Proof of Concept Program Launched to Support the Market Utilization of University Research Results
The Consortium Proof of Concept Program partnership has been signed!
The most transformative ideas are born where science and the economy meet. This principle defines the new strategic cooperation between the University of Szeged Technology Transfer Company (SZTE TTC Zrt.) and the University of Miskolc InnoME TTC Ltd., established under the winning project “Consortium Proof of Concept Program – Cooperation between Szeged and Miskolc” (Project ID: 2024-2.1.3-POC-2025-00005).
The program, launched with nearly HUF 500 million in non-refundable funding from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund (NKFI Alap), opens a new chapter in the history of Hungarian research, development and innovation (RDI) collaborations. Its primary goal is to turn scientific results achieved in university laboratories into real, market-ready innovations, accelerating the journey from academic discovery to societal and economic impact.
The strengths of Szeged and Miskolc complement each other perfectly: Szeged brings its outstanding expertise in medical sciences, life sciences, and biotechnology, while Miskolc contributes its excellence in industrial and engineering innovation.
Together, the two TTC’s create a synergy that covers the entire innovation value chain – from technological validation and prototype development to market implementation.
The strengths of Szeged and Miskolc complement each other perfectly: Szeged brings its outstanding expertise in medical sciences, life sciences, and biotechnology, while Miskolc contributes its excellence in industrial and engineering innovation.
Together, the two TTC’s create a synergy that covers the entire innovation value chain – from technological validation and prototype development to market implementation.
The Proof of Concept program does not merely finance new research – it brings a real change of mindset to the world of university innovation,
emphasized András Ujhegyi, CEO of SZTE TTC Zrt.
Our aim is to support researchers’ ideas through sustainable business models that can evolve into viable, long-term enterprises. We are proud that Szeged and Miskolc together are building a national innovation base that transforms scientific results into tangible economic and social value.
The professional background and innovation management expertise of InnoME TTC Ltd. at the University of Miskolc ensure the program’s technical validation and market readiness, playing a key role in industrial implementation.
Beáta Várnai, Managing Director of InnoME TTC Ltd., added:
Beáta Várnai, Managing Director of InnoME TTC Ltd., added:
This cooperation demonstrates the true potential of Hungarian innovation when institutions choose collaboration over competition. Szeged and Miskolc are not rivals – they are two complementary knowledge centers. We believe that through our joint efforts we can accelerate the path from idea to market and contribute to shaping Hungary’s innovation culture for the long term.
At the signing ceremony, Dr. Judit Fendler, Chancellor of the University of Szeged, and Prof. Dr. Zita Horváth, Rector of the University of Miskolc, also addressed the audience.
Both leaders emphasized that the consortium goes beyond the walls of universities: it contributes to strengthening the knowledge-based economy and to connecting regional innovation networks.
According to Prof. Dr. Zita Horváth, the program “opens a new dimension in the cooperation of Hungarian scientific networks,” while Dr. Judit Fendler underlined that “the consortium represents a concrete step towards bringing university innovations faster to the actors of society and the economy.”
According to Prof. Dr. Zita Horváth, the program “opens a new dimension in the cooperation of Hungarian scientific networks,” while Dr. Judit Fendler underlined that “the consortium represents a concrete step towards bringing university innovations faster to the actors of society and the economy.”
The Proof of Concept Program also serves as a pilot initiative, which may become a model for future collaborations among other higher education institutions in Hungary.
The cooperation between Szeged and Miskolc showcases that united knowledge is the true engine of innovation – and that the Hungarian research community is capable of developing solutions that are competitive on an international scale.
