The Rural Entrepreneur of the Year awards were presented

The initiative has already attracted extraordinary interest in its first year: nearly 300 applications were received from 136 enterprises, from 110 settlements in the country.

These numbers also prove that there is a real social and economic need to recognize and make rural enterprises visible.

The power of the rural economy in numbers

According to OPTEN company information data, two-thirds of domestic corporate enterprises operate in rural areas, one-third of those working in the competitive sector are employed by rural SMEs, and the total revenue of rural companies is twice that of those in Budapest. The vast majority of rural businesses – 86 percent – ​​are micro-enterprises, which create jobs locally and strengthen the local economy in the long term.

Petrik Ida: “The interest exceeded all my dreams” – the whole country was moved

Petrik Ida, the creator of the Rural Entrepreneurs’ Night, and the founder of Modern & The founding CEO of the Stylish Rural Business Community (MSVK) said:

“We believe that the real strength of the Hungarian economy lies in rural businesses. When we launched the call for the Rural Entrepreneur of the Year awards, our goal was to put the spotlight on SMEs operating in rural areas. The interest exceeded all my dreams, and I am particularly pleased that after the announcement, the whole country took action and so many people joined, supported and wanted to help. This also shows that the future of the countryside is our common cause and together we are capable of more.”

András Kovács, Brand Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “It was a natural decision for Volkswagen to support the initiative as a naming partner. We are also partners of those entrepreneurs who are on the road every day – literally and figuratively – to create value create in the Hungarian countryside.”

Gala and tradition creation

The gala was enriched by a joint production by historian Csaba Katona and comedian Gergely Litkai, as well as the singing of the Matyodesign embroiderers, who showed with humor and historical insight that the entrepreneurial spirit has always been a part of Hungarian creativity, even in the prosperous and turbulent periods of history, and that our traditions still have a place in our lives today.

The award categories were supported by Volkswagen, KAVOSZ, Thermal Hotel Visegrád, Goodwill Cégcsoport, Matyodesign, Quality Direct, Shoprenter and Next Ship.

Full list of award winners – Rural Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2025

Rural Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 with the support of Volkswagen – Károly Egyed, Sarkpont Zrt.

Young Rural Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 – Dóra Okvátovity, Fajszi Paprika

Dynamically Developing Rural Enterprise of the Year 2025 with the support of KAVOSZ:

Microenterprise category – Természetízei.hu

Small enterprise category – Greenman Kft.

Medium enterprise category – Pirex-98 Kft.

Responsible Rural Employer of the Year 2025 with the support of Thermal Hotel Visegrád

Microenterprise category – B&M Marketing Kft.

Small Business Category – Barta Autó 2000 Kft.

Medium Business Category – Szabó és Társa Belsóépítézeti Kft.

Innovative Rural Business of the Year 2025 with the support of Goodwill Consulting

Micro Business Category – Nova Terra Kft.

Small Business Category – Losonczi Innovation Kft.

Traditional Rural Business of the Year 2025 with the support of Matyodesign

Micro Business Category – HB Mangalica Farm

Small Business Category – Prónay-kastély és Vendégházai Alsópetény

Medium Enterprise Category – Malom és Kacsa

Multigenerational Rural Enterprise of the Year 2025 with the support of Quality Direct

Micro Enterprise Category – Farmer Lánya / Melon Agro Kft.

Small Enterprise Category – Proko Travel Kft.

Sustainable Rural Enterprise of the Year 2025 with the support of Folprint Zöldnyomda

Micro Enterprise Category – Seed Bonbon Handmade Kft.

Small Enterprise Category – Katica Tanya Experience Center

Medium Enterprise Category – Wagner Solar Hungária Kft.

Socially Responsible Rural Enterprise of the Year