Co-Creative Innovation Hub Launch

I secured a project tender from a talent institution supporting innovative student initiatives. The project aimed to connect diverse perspectives across disciplines and sectors to drive new venture creation in the complex technology and smart city development fields. After securing institutional support, I built a team, pitched the idea to MNE sponsors, and launched the initiative. 

The project aimed to break down silos within the Hungarian tertiary education sector, fostering cross-faculty collaboration, co-creation, and experiential learning. It sought to create a forward-thinking community by connecting university students with innovation hubs and industry experts, offering hands-on learning opportunities to solve real-world challenges. 

The project progressed through three stages:

Stage 1 - Original Concept

In the original concept, I outlined an event series focused on interdisciplinary collaboration to develop smart city solutions, with students refining ideas through agile teamwork and debates on feasibility, finances, and impact.

Stage 2 - Concept Scalability & Funding

After securing institutional support, I formed a team and pitched the concept to tech companies, securing financial and professional sponsorship from a leading Hungarian IT company. The sponsor supported the refinement of the concept to ensure that student ideas could be applied to real use cases and effectively integrated with the work of innovation hubs.

Stage 3 - Launch

Our sponsor provided real smart city projects, allowing students to work on actual ventures. After selecting the projects, we organized the first event at the company HQ, where interdisciplinary teams participated in ideation, discussions, and challenges. My team managed operations, event logistics, and concept development, while sponsors focused on content and mentoring. Industry experts guided students to refine project deliverables and ensure feasibility before finalizing the solutions.

The event series, held four times so far (2019, 2021, 2022, 2023), has attracted a diverse community of students and sponsors. It has generated new venture ideas and fostered collaboration among individuals from various disciplines, creating a network of like-minded, forward-thinking people from different universities, age groups, and levels of expertise.

The initiative provided mutual benefits: students gained valuable experience and connections, while sponsors leveraged student creativity to drive innovation. This growing community continues to attract new sponsors and partners, ensuring ongoing relevance and impact for future initiatives.