From 24 to 26 March 2026, FI4INN partners gathered in Budapest, Hungary, for the 6th Exchange of Experience (EoE), hosted by the National Innovation Agency (NIÜ). The meeting marked a key milestone in the project, focusing on the validation of pilot actions and the consolidation of innovative financing solutions for SMEs and startups across Central Europe.
From exploration to validation: testing real solutions
The three-day event combined hands-on ecosystem exploration, technical workshops, and strategic discussions, reflecting FI4INN’s transition from analysis to implementation.
The programme opened with a Startup Safari, offering participants direct exposure to Budapest’s innovation ecosystem and local startup community. This was followed by an introduction to FI4INN’s progress and pilot actions, setting the stage for deeper discussions.
At the core of the event was the Pilot Action Validation Workshop, where partners presented the consolidated results of their regional and national pilots. These included diverse approaches such as:
- incubation programme redesign (Czech Republic)
- hybrid finance models combining loans and education (Poland)
- modular RDI financing systems (Slovenia)
- governance and coordination models (Italy – FVG)
- co-investment approaches (Hungary)
- investor-driven instruments (Piemonte, Italy)
Through a structured peer-review process, participants engaged in in-depth validation rounds, assessing each pilot’s feasibility, scalability, and transferability across regions.
Strengthening solutions through peer learning
A key feature of the workshop was its interactive validation methodology, where partners acted as “expert panels” to challenge assumptions, identify risks, and provide actionable recommendations. This approach ensured that each pilot was not only tested in its local context but also refined for broader application across Central Europe.
The discussions highlighted common challenges across regions, including:
- improving investment readiness of SMEs
- simplifying access to financial instruments
- strengthening coordination between public and private actors
- ensuring scalability and long-term sustainability of solutions
Connecting pilots with regional action plans
The second day also featured sessions on Regional Action Plans, linking pilot results to future policy implementation. Partners discussed how validated solutions can be translated into concrete policy measures and long-term financing strategies at regional and national levels.
Looking ahead: from pilots to impact
The final day focused on project coordination and next steps, including Steering Committee and project meetings, reinforcing alignment across partners as FI4INN moves towards its final phase.
The Budapest Exchange of Experience confirmed the strong progress made in developing innovative, diversified financing solutions and reinforced the value of transnational collaboration and peer learning in shaping effective financial ecosystems. With validated pilot solutions and strengthened cooperation, FI4INN is now one step closer to delivering more effective and accessible financing instruments for SMEs and startups across Central Europe.