The HSUP Growth Fund offers a new, targeted support opportunity for startups founded by graduates of the Hungarian Startup University Program to move from the early stages of product development to a marketable, investment-ready stage.
The HSUP Growth Fund is a new support program from the National Innovation Agency specifically for startups founded by HSUP alumni, with the goal of helping early-stage projects become market-ready and reach seed investment level. The call supports companies that are at least 70% owned by students who completed the HSUP program between 2020 and 2025 and whose external financing to date does not exceed the amount requested. The program provides a total of HUF 80 million in non-repayable, 100% intensity support for 4-8 startups, with a 6-12 month implementation period.
The grant can be used for experimental development, market entry activities, and related costs, subject to the prescribed limits and percentage caps. Beneficiaries are required to complete the HSUP Pioneers professional accelerator program, which provides support in the areas of product development, organizational development, market entry, and capital raising. Applicants must commit to raising at least one or two TRL levels (depending on the type of project) and to detailed professional and financial reporting, monitoring, and data reporting obligations. The maintenance period will last until the end of 2028.
Selection will be based on a simplified procedure, taking into account professional and business criteria: the clarity of the project's objectives, professional feasibility, and financial soundness are basic requirements. The expert scoring can give a total of 160 points, with criteria such as the professional competence of the founders, the novelty of the product, the market potential, and the soundness of the business model.
Applications can be submitted electronically until January 9, 2026, to growthfund@niu.hu, with the required attachments, including the application form, planned budget, one-pager, financial plan, and legal documents. The decision will be made by NIÜ with the involvement of independent experts, and the grant can be drawn down in full as an advance payment.
