Obuda UNI Venture Capital
Dare to dream big with us!
OUVC is a 10-billion-HUF venture capital investor and venture studio affiliated with Óbuda University, offering investment combined with professional mentoring to future innovators.
„In the realm of venture capital, supporting early-stage enterprises yields the highest value. OUVC’s venture capital and venture studio initiatives not only offer financial backing but also assist with market entry, ensuring that we collaboratively establish a sustainable and innovative business.”
– Imre Hild, CEO, OUVC
Obuda Uni Venture Capital
We are both a gateway and a bridge to university's expertise — for our startups and partners alike.
How do we support our portfolio?
- Investment
- Technical validation
- Mentorship
- Opportunities for industry collaboration
- Business development
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Focus Areas
Stages
Seed
Stages
Seed
Industries
Industrial Automation
Sustainability
Industries
Industrial Automation
Sustainability
Technologies
Robotics
Technologies
Robotics
In addition to the preferences above, we are also seeking companies from other industries and different technologies, provided they address real-world problems.
Our Partners
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you want to know about us
What should you know about Obuda Uni Venture Capital Zrt.?
Obuda Uni Venture Capital Zrt. (OUVC) is a venture capital fund and venture studio with HUF 10 billion in capital, established in the second half of 2023. Our mission is to support high-growth, technology-oriented startups over the next five years, with investments ranging from HUF 20 to 300 million.
OUVC operates as a classic, market-based venture capital investor:
- it acquires equity in companies, either directly or through convertible loans,
- it has a clear return-on-investment objective,
- and it plans to exit within a 5–7 year timeframe.
We do not require personal guarantees or collateral. However, we expect founders to be fully committed to the supported company with the exception of research-related positions (see below).
When needed, we support our portfolio companies with business development, from strategic advisory to international networking. We also collaborate with startups that do not receive capital from us, cooperation is possible based on individual agreements.
What is the role of OUVC?
OUVC’s role is to invest the capital entrusted to it efficiently into technology-focused ventures with Hungarian ties that offer scalable solutions to real market problems. Our goal is to help the funded projects reach the market as quickly as possible and embark on a path of sustainable growth, this is what creates the greatest value for founders, investors, and the broader economy. Our investment decisions are made purely on a market basis: we evaluate every project based on its business potential, feasibility, and team.
Although Óbuda University is one of OUVC’s founding shareholders, our investments are not limited to teams with a university affiliation. We are open to any entrepreneur with a validatable idea or ambition to build a company, whether they already have a developed concept or are still in the early stages.
How is the OUVC different from other sources of funding?
OUVC is not a grant or subsidy program, we are a market-based venture capital investor. This means:
- We provide funding in exchange for equity in your startup.
- Our goal is a return on investment through the growth in the company’s value.
- We do not offer repayable loans, but we do use convertible loan structures that can later be converted into equity.
This approach is fundamentally different from grants or subsidy-based programs. We think like co-owners: we help build the company together, and it is in our shared interest to grow its value.
What is OUVC’s role within Óbuda University’s innovation ecosystem?
OUVC serves as a bridge between the university and the broader innovation ecosystem. Our mission is to connect the university’s intellectual capital — research results, technology projects, and entrepreneurial initiatives — with market players, investors, and business opportunities.
The flow also goes both ways: we support market actors in establishing connections with the university’s relevant departments, whether for R&D collaborations, joint projects, or industrial validation. OUVC works closely with Initium Venture Labs Zrt., the University Research and Innovation Center (EKIK), and the Innovation Office of Óbuda University.
What types of projects is OUVC looking for?
We look for startups that:
- offer a scalable solution to a real problem,
- have a competent and committed team,
- and show some form of early validation or results.
A key factor in our investment decisions is whether the team has the capabilities required for market entry and growth. If any key skills are missing, we can help fill the gaps, for example, by finding a suitable business leader.
We provide capital based on a clear action plan, ideally linked to milestones such as market entry, first revenues, or technology validation. Advancing to the next funding stage depends on successfully achieving the previous milestones.
In very early-stage projects, where even the value proposition is not yet defined, we can only invest in exceptional cases. It’s best to contact us once you already have tangible results or signs of validation.
When should you contact OUVC?
Anytime you’re seriously considering launching a startup, or already working on one. Whether you’re still at the idea stage, in the process of validation, or already running a company, if you have market ambitions, it’s worth having a conversation.
- If your idea is still taking shape, we can help you understand market expectations and start validating your concept.
- If you already have a product or a team, we’ll evaluate the growth potential and see if your project fits our portfolio.
- If you’re in the scaling phase, we may explore larger-scale collaborations or co-investments with other partners.
OUVC operates flexibly, if we’re not the best entry point, we’ll still help you identify the most relevant partner or development path for your project.
Can I approach OUVC if I already have an investor on board?
Absolutely, we’re open to co-investments. In fact, having an investor already involved often signals market confidence and some level of validation. OUVC can typically join a project if our investment happens simultaneously or within a close timeframe to the other investor’s entry (usually within ±6 months). The terms of a co-investment — such as valuation, capital structure, or rights — are always adapted to the specific situation and aligned with the existing investor(s). One important thing: we’re not competitors to other investors, but partners. Our shared goal is the startup’s successful growth.
What are the prerequisites for receiving an investment from OUVC?
OUVC supports startups that have a significant Hungarian connection. This connection can take the form of:
- at least one founder being Hungarian,
- development activities taking place in Hungary, or
- the applied technology or intellectual property having Hungarian origins.
The degree of “Hungarian connection” is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, based on the unique characteristics of each project.
What materials should I submit with my application?
The easiest way to apply is by filling out the short application form on our website. You’ll answer 7 brief questions and have the option to upload your materials.
We recommend including:
- a one-page summary of your project (PDF),
- a pitch deck, if available (it doesn’t have to be final),
- optionally, a short video introduction if you prefer to present your idea verbally.
Our goal is to start a meaningful conversation based on your application, not to collect formal paperwork.
You can fill out the application form HERE.
What kind of concept description, business plan, and financial plan do we expect?
As a market-based investor, OUVC expects materials that clearly demonstrate:
- You are solving a real problem based on actual market demand, your value proposition should be well-defined.
- You have some form of market validation or deep insight into your target audience’s needs, whether in the B2C or B2B segment.
- You understand what kind of support you need: capital, business development assistance, or both.
- If you are requesting capital, indicate the amount, proposed timeline, and what exactly you plan to use it for.
- Your business and financial plans (even in a draft form) should be aligned. We don’t just look for a polished Excel sheet, but for coherence between your numbers and your strategy.
We’re not looking for perfect documents, we’re looking for thoughtful concepts and genuine commitment behind them.
What process can applicants expect?
At OUVC, the application process is transparent and efficient, we usually provide feedback within a few weeks. Here’s how it works:
- Initial contact: Once we receive your application, we get back to you within a few days. If we see potential, we’ll invite you to a personal or online meeting. If not, we’ll still provide feedback, ideally with useful suggestions.
- Deeper discussion: If the first impression is positive, we’ll request some additional details (e.g. about the team or plans), and schedule a second meeting to dive deeper. If the project is already well-developed, this step may even take place during the first conversation.
- Term Sheet and evaluation: If we decide to move forward, we’ll make an offer in the form of a Term Sheet, this outlines the investment conditions, the planned amount, and the proposed equity share. The company valuation is based on factors like experience, market potential, technological defensibility, and competitive landscape.
- Contracting and due diligence: After accepting the Term Sheet — if a registered company already exists — we conduct standard due diligence (legal, financial, technological), followed by contract preparation. For newly forming companies, this process is faster and simpler.
You can fill out the application form HERE.
What is included in the OUVC Term Sheet (TS)?
The Term Sheet (TS) is a preliminary investment agreement that outlines the key terms before a final contract is signed. It’s one of the cornerstones of any startup–investor relationship. It typically includes:
- the proposed investment amount,
- suggested equity shares,
- milestones and related disbursements,
- key rights and obligations (e.g. voting rights, exit scenarios).
The TS is intended to provide clear boundaries and prevent misunderstandings, protecting both the startup and the investor.
There is no one-size-fits-all TS, every project is different, and the details are always shaped during negotiations. Some terms may be critical for one company and less so for another, and we adapt to these needs flexibly.
What can (and should) OUVC funding be used for?
Venture capital is not a loan or a grant, it’s a source of funding provided to help your company create value and grow.
This capital is typically best used for:
- product development,
- market entry or expansion,
- hiring key talent (e.g. technology or business development team members),
- validation or testing costs.
The investment is made based on a jointly agreed plan. This plan may be more flexible in the early stages of a project, but in all cases it should be well thought out and feasible. It should not contain unrealistic or unachievable goals, and if changes are needed, we will review them together with the team.
The aim of the investor is not to control the company, but to support realistic growth while maintaining business integrity.
Can OUVC funding be used for buyouts?
No. OUVC’s capital is not intended to buy out existing shareholders. We provide growth-oriented investments, which means the capital must be used to develop new products or services, expand into new markets, strengthen the business team, or support validation activities. If there is a case where restructuring the ownership is necessary, it should be discussed separately. However, our primary goal is always to build the company, not to provide financial exit for founders.
Where can you meet the OUVC team?
You can often find us at various Hungarian startup events, but the easiest way to get in touch is:
- Write to us at contact@obudaunivc.com and we’ll schedule a meeting.
- Or join one of our OUVC Open Office Hours, an informal format where you can talk with us about any project, idea, or question you may have.
Open Office Hours are held monthly on Friday mornings at Puzl CowOrKing. We always share upcoming dates on our social channels — follow us on LinkedIn to stay updated!
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