HVCA 20th Annual Investment Conference in Budapest presents key Hungary, CEE brands, entrepreneurs, investors and institutions
Christian Majgaard, ex head of Global Brand & Business Development at LEGO, to deliver keynote
May 17, 2018 – The Hungarian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (HVCA) is pleased to announce that Christian Majgaard, branding and innovation guru, and former head of Global Brand & Business Development at LEGO, will be the keynote speaker at its 20th Annual Investment Conference, which will take place on June 12 at the Hotel Hilton Castle, Budapest. Mr. Majgaard is widely credited with LEGO’s revival as a 21st-century brand, with breakthrough franchises such as LEGO Mindstorms robotics and the Harry Potter license, and he will speak on innovation and brand development.
The HVCA’s Annual Investment Conference is the premier regional event for leaders from business and legal communities to interact and discuss the state of private equity, venture capital, and corporate finance in CEE/SEE. Other important speakers participating include Tamás Bernáth, Chairman & CEO of the Hungarian Development Bank (MFB) and Hubert Cottogni, Director & Head of Mandate Management at the European Investment Fund (EIF), introducing key new initiatives, and Joerg Bauer, President and CEO of Tungsram Group, talking about the MBO of this historic Hungarian brand, as well as other distinguished panellists debating key issues such as fintech opportunities, strategic exits, and the new social and environmental focus that comes with impact investing. This comes as Hungary shows signs of an M&A revival in 2017, with number of transactions up from 110 in 2016 to 133, and the value of the Hungarian M&A market up from $1.6bn in 2016 to $4bn in 20171.
“On this 20th anniversary of the HVCA Annual Investment Conference, we are glad to welcome a leading brand guru like Mr. Majgaard,” Levente Zsembery, HVCA Chairman and CEO of X-Ventures, said. “We are also glad to have the participation of many distinguished player of the regional private equity and venture capital sector, acknowledging the significance of our market for the region, and our organization for local investors.”
„The fresh perspective of the technology firms entering the financial services industry forces traditional banks also to constantly innovate. We will meet exciting fintech businesses at the Conference: Barion, which has recently received venture capital investment and Nivaura from the UK, whose platform makes bond issues available also to SMEs – even in cryptocurrency,” added Zoltán Lengyel, partner at Allen & Overy, a key supporter of the Conference.
“Strategic exits are essential in returning value for investors, securing success for businesses, and bringing new capital and M&A activity to the region,” concluded Balázs Csűrös, Partner at Deloitte, another supporter of the Conference, on strategic exits. “Major deals and transactions in Hungary and CEE testify to the continuing momentum in the market, and the interest of global acquirers and market entrants.”
There are still opportunities to book delegate places at the HVCA 20th Annual Conference, with details and registration online at: http://www.hvca.hu/conference/.
For further information and press opportunities, please contact: Capital Communications, Szilvia Hegyi, Phone: +36 1 266 0199. Fax: 36 1 318 0613. E-mail: Hegyisz@capital.hu.
About the Hungarian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (HVCA)
The Hungarian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (HVCA) represents the interests of the private equity and venture capital industry in Hungary by supporting its members and promoting adherence to the highest possible professional and ethical standards. The HVCA was established in 1991. Currently, the HVCA is known as one of the most dynamic and active professional organisations in the CEE region. The HVCA represents virtually every major player of the private equity and venture capital industry in Hungary and is dedicated to promoting the private equity and venture capital industry for the benefit of funds, entrepreneurs, private equity professionals and the economy as a whole.