Startup Picks from Hungary

While Hungary has recently made less than glorious headlines (think shaky currency, bank levies, but also some interesting tax ideas), may the following list of startups be proof that, for entrepreneurs, every challenge is an opportunity in disguise.

Prezi: If you don’t know Prezi, you’ve been living in a cave! Launched in April 2009 from Budapest, Prezi has revolutionised presentations with its Zooming User Interface (ZUI) and earned itself the title of the anti-Power Point. Its ten million users create anything from resumes to school projects and business presentations with this virtual whiteboard, and it comes as no surprise that it’s been a hit at TED conferences, too. In fact, TED is among those who invested in this Hungarian startup.  

mcule: A team of chemists, physicists and web-developers has set out to simplify the drug discovery process and have come up with this online platform, offering a comprehensive database of commercially available molecules. Small and middle sized pharma and biotech companies will be able to access molecule search, as well as simulation and data mining tools that were only affordable by the big players until now. As part of Startup Sauna 2012, mcule is currently residing in Helsinki.

Mixgar: The times of dusty coin-operated jukeboxes are certainly over. These days they are far more social and a mobile phone will do. No matter if you are in a bar, a restaurant, at a party or a music festival, it’s now possible to check out which song is being played and vote favourites up on the playlist simply through your mobile phone. Based on votes and music interests, the songs most liked will be played. Voilà, Mixgar is an interactive, social and democratic tool.

Antavo: This startup gives IT professionals and top geeks a run for their money. Antavo allows clients to create their own promotion apps and helps marketers to run their self-made, low cost promotional campaign. It has been a hit at seedcamp 2012, where it got the first prize and bagged some funding which led to Antavo branching out to London Town.

Internfish: This one is fresh on the scene. Internfish is an online database committed entirely to scholarships, internships and voluntary programs. Currently in beta phase, it aims to become a source of opportunities for students eager to get some work experience or looking for the right scholarship.