Budapest Business University

Budapest LAB conducts and coordinates research through which we can learn more about Hungarian small and medium-sized enterprises. An important goal is that their results are used not only by the scientific community but also by those concerned - entrepreneurs and business planners, as well as by policymakers and are therefore always published in an easily understood form, so that they can become part of everyday knowledge. You may read more about Scientific Activity in the publications and the working paper series. Research focuses on the following areas:

Family businesses

BBU has a long tradition of researching family businesses, and further reinforcing that that Budapest LAB launched the Family Business Research Programme launched in 2017, which is the first in Hungary to systematically examine the specifics of that group of entrepreneurs. In connection with the long-term research programme, there are several smaller research groups work, so in addition to the representative data surveys, the HR characteristics and succession plans and practical solutions of Hungarian family businesses are examined with “thorough analysis”, and a long-term follow-up programme is being developed and tested. You may read more about the Family Business Research Program and its results here.

Start-ups and freelancers

In 2018, a scientific study of startups was launched, as part of which, among other things, the factors of startups’ survival and growth, as well as the image of the "ideal start-upper" was examined, the mapping of the Hungarian startup ecosystem was undertaken, and a larger research foundation was set up. In addition, an investigation has also been launched into freelancers, who play an increasingly important economic role worldwide.

Applied research

Budapest LAB is happy to get involved in research initiated by others, as well as to conduct and undertake applied research for external partners to provide answers to questions that are important to the Hungarian business sector. In recent years, the LAB has for example mapped the domestic business development ecosystem and collected and analysed domestic and international mentoring schemes for young entrepreneurs and family businesses facing generational change.

The Budapest LAB team constantly develops and experiments with exciting and effective methods for developing university entrepreneurial skills and increasing entrepreneurial willingness - both within and outside the school setting.

COLLAB – Business plan in a week

Budapest LAB and Moholy-Nagy University of Arts (MOME) have been working together for several years to provide inspiration and useful knowledge to young people about entrepreneurship. The first success was the “COLLAB powered by Budapest LAB & MOME +” series of events, which focused specifically on creative businesses and on occasion attracted more than a hundred spectators. The aim of the intensive week, which is announced every semester, is for the participants to gain practical experience by working on a real project with the processes and thinking that can be used to establish a successful business. Students from different disciplines (management, marketing, design, graphics, etc.) develop their projects through collaborative work facilitated by familiarisation with the design thinking and business model canvas methodology.

Family Business Day

Budapest LAB, in cooperation with K&K Magazine, regularly organises a full-house conference for family business leaders, attracting more than a hundred business executives. The practical and interactive event provides an opportunity for the relevant BBU research results to be communicated in a comprehensible way to the stakeholders, who can use them in running their companies more successfully. In addition, entrepreneurs have the opportunity to learn from each other's experiences to prepare for the challenges of business transfer.

Start-up Dispute

Last year, as part of the Startup Safari series of events, a sweeping, moderated discussion, the so-called Startup Dispute was organised by Budapest LAB. In this exciting format little-knowe in Hungary, two teams argue the pros and cons of a particular professional issue. The two teams were led by LAB experts, along with key ecosystem actors, to engage in a fun yet meaningful discussion.

External lectures, workshops

In addition to scientific appearances, the LAB regularly holds lectures and training for or in cooperation with external partners. Among other events, at the World Economy Family Business Conference, the Innovation Summit conference organised by Schneider Electric, the Design Week Budapest series of events, the Budapest Enterprise Agency Smart Budapest conference, or at the invitation of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium.

The main goal of the Budapest LAB is to provide inspiration and useful knowledge to young people - especially, of course, BBU students - in regard to being an entrepreneur. That is all the more important because, according to the results of the GUESSS international research (which is also taking place at BBU), the majority of Hungarian young people would prefer to work as employees after their university years. Yet the entrepreneurial willingness of young people, and especially students, has a fundamental economic and social impact. The businesses they create in the future will create the financial and non-financial value that our national economies and communities desperately need.

StartLab Entrepreneurship Club

The series of events aims to help entrepreneurs, business planners and university students interested in entrepreneurship to gain experience, build relationships and build communities. Traditionally held on the first Tuesday of every month, the guest each time is a successful entrepreneur who talks about how he got to where he is now. During the conversations, we look behind the success stories in the magazines so that participants can learn not only interesting but also practical things.

Budapestlab.hu

The Budapest LAB pays special attention to the fact that in addition to high-quality scientific publications, its research results are also presented for entrepreneurs and business planners in an easy-to-use, practical way. That’s why they form these into readable articles for their own online magazine and media. Articles based on LAB research have been featured in many well-known media, from K&K Magazine to Forbes.