'Rural Entrepreneur of the Year' Award Announced

For the first time in Hungary, an award will be given exclusively to rural micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. Organized by the Modern & Stylish Rural Business Community (MSVK), the Rural Entrepreneurs' Night powered by Volkswagen will be held on November 11 this year at the Eiffel Workshop in Budapest, where the Rural Entrepreneurs of the Year Awards will also be presented.

The aim of the award is to put rural businesses in the spotlight for the first time this year. We want to highlight and recognize companies that form the backbone of the rural economy and set an example with their community-building, value-creating, and future-shaping work.

The idea for Rural Entrepreneurs' Night came from Ida Petrik, founding managing director of the Modern & Stylish Rural Business Community and Rural Life Magazine, who believes that “the real strength of the Hungarian economy lies in rural businesses. The aim of this initiative, which fills a gap in the market, is to put their work in the spotlight and give it the recognition it deserves – not only with a professional award, but also with a community event that celebrates rural values.”

The professional background is provided by OPTEN, which has been a key player in the domestic company information market for decades. Dr. Hajnalka Csorbai, strategic director of OPTEN, emphasized that "the numbers are clear: the economic weight of rural SMEs is unquestionable. This award is also an important milestone from a professional point of view, as it credibly demonstrates how indispensable rural businesses are in job creation and the development of rural regions."

Any micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise registered in Hungary with fewer than 250 employees and whose headquarters are not located in Budapest or which has at least one rural site is eligible for the award.