UCF Business Incubation Program welcomes VOSZ-FIVOSZ International Representative Office to its Winter Springs location

 

Orlando, Fla. (February 24, 2025) – The connection between Hungary’s economy and Central Florida’s became even stronger today as VOSZ, the Confederation of Hungarian Business, and FIVOSZ, the Young Entrepreneurs Association Hungary, opened their first office in the United States at the UCF Business Incubator in Winter Springs.

The new office is the latest result of a concerted effort by the Incubation program to help foster business connections with developing and non-traditional markets, like Hungary. For the past several years, the program has partnered with the HungarianHub to help provide connections for businesses between the two countries.

“We’ve already seen job growth from companies looking to enter the United States’ market through this partnership and believe this new effort will only provide a deeper connection,” says Rafael Caamano, site manager, UCF Business Incubation Program. “This is a unique opportunity for our community, to significantly tap into an underserved market for our businesses and to showcase why Seminole County and Central Florida are great places to do business.”

The new office will start with appointment-only meetings available with Hungarian officials with the goal of having a dedicated staff member in the future. The groups aim to provide consistent support for Hungarian businesses entering the U.S. market along with connections for local businesses to expand into Hungary.

Founded in 1988, VOSZ is one of Hungary’s most influential business advocacy organizations, representing entrepreneurs and employers at the national level. The association plays a crucial role in supporting businesses, fostering economic growth, and facilitating international partnerships.

“The United States market, particularly Florida, is a very attractive location for our companies to reach through an expansion here,” says Patrik Kovács, co-president for international affairs, VOSZ and president, FIVOSZ. “This bridge between our two countries is strong and will only continue to grow stronger as this effort grows.”

According to the International Trade Administration, Hungary “boasts a strategic

location in Europe, easy access to EU markets, a highly skilled and educated

workforce, and a sound infrastructure that has led companies such as GE,

Blackrock, UPS, Coca-Cola, National Instruments, Microsoft, IBM and many others to

locate manufacturing and service facilities in the country. There are approximately

450 wholly-owned U.S. companies in the country and U.S. affiliates employ

approximately 110,000 Hungarians. This makes the U.S. the second-largest investor

in Hungary after Germany, in terms of employment numbers and after South Korea in

terms of capital invested.”

“Companies from Hungary are eager to expand into the United States and this office will be one of the key assets for these companies to help choose Central Florida as a top entry market,” says Piros Pazaurek, Honorary Consul of Hungary in Central Florida and president, HungarianHub. “It has been quite exciting to see this partnership continue to expand over the years and looking forward to what it will become in the future.”

HungarianHub has operated from the UCF Business Incubator in Daytona Beach since 2018. Last year, the UCF Business Incubation Program and HungarianHub hosted the first USA Accelerator Bootcamp where more than 15 Hungarian companies explored U.S. market opportunities. This was an extension of the annual Hungarian Summit, which welcomed over 130 participants in 2024 to Daytona Beach and 200 companies in 2023 in Hungary.

The next USA Accelerator Bootcamp will be held in early April, expanding to include businesses from Hungary and other Central European companies. The Hungarian Summit is being held in Hungary this year in June.

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UCF Business Incubation Program: Carol Ann Logue, 407-635-9882, carolann.dykeslogue@ucf.edu; ; Alan Byrd, Alan Byrd & Associates, 407-415-8470, Alan@ByrdConnections.com

 

About the UCF Business Incubation Program: The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program is a community resource that provides early-stage companies with the tools, training and infrastructure to become financially stable, high-growth/impact enterprises. Since 1999, this award-winning program has provided vital business development resources resulting in over 300 local startup companies reaching their potential faster and graduating into the community where they continue to grow and positively impact the local economy.

With nine facilities throughout the region, the UCF Business Incubation Program is an economic development partnership between the University of Central Florida, the Corridor, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia Counties, and the cities of Eustis, Kissimmee, Orlando and Winter Springs. In 2023, current incubator clients supported over 1,000 employees and generated over $120 million in revenue.  Nineteen companies graduated from the program and remained in the local community. For more information, visit www.incubator.ucf.edu

About the HungarianHub – Website

HungarianHub is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering connections between Hungarian and American communities in business, culture, education, and sports. Through its events, professional network, and partnerships, HungarianHub provides valuable support for Hungarians seeking opportunities in the U.S.

 

About VOSZ – National Association of Entrepreneurs and Employers (Hungary) – Website

  • VOSZ – Confederation of Hungarian Business – VOSZ is the leading employers and business confederation in Hungary, representing all sectors and nearly half of the national GDP. It operates over 33 offices across the country and runs the largest CSR program in the country as well as providing financial aid and subsidized loans for the SME sector. VOSZ holds leadership roles in many international organizations such as Business at OECD and EuroCommerce.
  • FIVOSZ – Young Entrepreneurs Association Hungary– FIVOSZ is the largest young entrepreneur’s organization with chapters across Hungary, serving as the main voice for young entrepreneurs. In 2014 FIVOSZ helped to create 4.14 percent of all the newly registered Hungarian companies, and it is the official representative of the young business generation in Hungary and in the EU. Its practices and methodology were copied around Europe and has received several awards for its innovative support mechanisms. Organizing the Global Entrepreneurship Week, – the major business event series of the country-, reaching about 3 million people with its communication yearly.

About USA Accelerator

USA Accelerator is a strategic initiative designed to help Hungarian businesses navigate the complexities of entering the U.S. market. The program provides tailored mentoring, business development support, and networking opportunities to ensure a smooth transition and market adaptation for Hungarian entrepreneurs.