The Vállalkozók és Munkáltatók Országos Szövetsége (VOSZ) visited nearly 130 Hungarian small and medium-sized enterprises in its “100 days – 100 companies” initiative to gather on-site information about the sector’s situation, problems and successful solutions. The project was launched after the association’s leadership election in May, when Gazsi Attila was chosen as president and emphasized finding practical, working solutions in addition to traditional surveys.
Main findings from the visits
Three topics stood out in VOSZ’s interviews and member feedback:
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Leadership succession: several companies demonstrated successful transitions where the founder stepped back and a younger management generation took over. These successors improved efficiency through operational streamlining and clearer division of responsibilities.
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Artificial intelligence (AI): most visited firms use some form of AI, and those leading the field apply it comprehensively across operations rather than in isolated tasks. Typical examples include AI-driven invoicing and administrative automation, which produced significant labor savings, while production processes increasingly incorporate new technologies.
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Energy security: the deepening energy crisis this year and volatile, high energy prices placed heavy burdens on energy-intensive businesses. These experiences will shape VOSZ’s future activities.
Knowledge base and policy proposals
Short films and written summaries from the on-site interviews will be uploaded to a searchable, downloadable knowledge repository that VOSZ is developing together with Pannon Egyetem (University of Pannonia). The intention is to enable companies to learn from each other’s good practices. Based on the interviews, deep conversations and feedback from its tens of thousands of members, VOSZ will also compile a concrete package of proposals for the government on measures to support the kkv sector and identify possible breakthrough areas.
Plans on energy and green solutions
According to Gazsi Attila, over the next year VOSZ will focus not only on promoting effective AI adoption but also on creating energy security. The planned program aims to leverage green energy opportunities to provide quick yet sustainable access to predictable, affordable energy for businesses. Proposed tools include encouraging energyscapes such as local energy islands and cooperatives, starting at community level and expanding to subregional and regional solutions.
The initiative builds on earlier activity: during the summer energy emergency, nearly 1,000 companies joined the VOSZ-launched Vállalkozói Energiaösszefogás (Entrepreneurs’ Energy Solidarity). Their commitments resulted in more than 145,000 kWh of peak-time energy savings, and a quarter of participants indicated they will maintain energy-saving measures after the crisis.
VOSZ’s broader goals and role
Gazsi stresses that the sector’s most urgent economic policy priority is support for smart, targeted investments that materially improve productivity and efficiency; that requires conscious, targeted use of public funds. He also emphasizes strengthening the Hungarian-owned mid-sized enterprise layer, which is currently lacking but crucial for competitiveness.
Over the next five years Gazsi aims for VOSZ to become more active in entrepreneurs’ daily lives, to reinforce its role as an influential advocate and to rely on data-driven technical materials, scientific backing and digital knowledge-sharing tools. The lessons learned in the program will be integrated into the association’s advocacy work and used to inform government decision-making.
How will success be measured?
Gazsi Attila says he would be satisfied in five years if there were visible, concrete signs of a stronger Hungarian mid-cap segment and measurable improvements in business productivity. VOSZ intends to contribute with practical solutions, collected experiences and targeted recommendations.
