The Rural Entrepreneurs’ Night was held for the first time, celebrating the outstanding achievements of rural entrepreneurs with a large-scale event.
| SZERZŐ: Alternate
MSVK awards rural entrepreneurs for the first time
On November 11, 2025, the Modern & Stylish Rural Business Community (MSVK) held its first Rural Entrepreneurs’ Night. The large-scale gala, sponsored by Volkswagen, provided an excellent opportunity to learn more about and appreciate the achievements of rural entrepreneurs.
The real power of the economy
“We believe that the real strength of the Hungarian economy lies in rural businesses. The aim of this initiative, which fills a gap in the market, is to shine a spotlight on their work and give them the recognition they deserve – not only with a professional award, but also with a community event that celebrates rural values,” said Ida Petrik, founding managing director of MSVK and Vidéki Élet Magazin, about the award.
Two-thirds of Hungarian companies operate in rural areas, employing one-third of the workforce in the competitive sector. At the same time, rural SMEs lag behind their Budapest counterparts by 20% in terms of per capita sales, 40% in terms of profits, and 7% in terms of wage costs. Most rural businesses operate in wholesale and retail trade (20% and 17%, respectively), but food production, real estate and construction, passenger and freight transport, tourism, and hospitality also account for a significant share.
Expert jury assisted in the decision-making process.
Rural businesses that build communities, create value, and shape the future were recognized in several categories. As a member of the expert jury, Mandy Fertetics also helped recognize outstanding rural micro, small, and medium-sized businesses that are creating traditions. The founder and CEO of Alternate recalled that while reading the applications, she felt for a weekend that “the world is fine, or more precisely, it could be fine if it consisted entirely of such businesses…”. Mandy Fertetics participated in the evaluation of several categories, but due to her professional background, she considered the categories announced in the areas of social responsibility, responsible employment, and sustainability to be of particular importance.
This year’s winners
Rural Entrepreneur of the Year 2025, sponsored by Volkswagen – Károly Egyed, Sarkpont Zrt.
Young Rural Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 – Dóra Okvátovity, Fajszi Paprika
Dynamically Developing Rural Enterprise of the Year 2025, sponsored by KAVOSZ:
Micro-enterprise category – Természetízei.hu
Small enterprise category – Greenman Kft.
Medium-sized enterprise category – Pirex-98 Kft.
Responsible Rural Employer of the Year 2025, sponsored by Thermal Hotel Visegrád
Micro-enterprise category – B&M Marketing Kft.
Small enterprise category – Barta Autó 2000 Kft.
Medium-sized enterprise category – Szabó és Társa Belsőépítészeti Kft.
Innovative Rural Enterprise of the Year 2025, sponsored by Goodwill Consulting
Micro-enterprise category – Nova Terra Kft.
Small enterprise category – Losonczi Innovation Kft.
Traditional Rural Enterprise of the Year 2025, sponsored by Matyodesign
Micro-enterprise category – HB Mangalica Farm
Small enterprise category – Prónay Castle and Guesthouses, Alsópetény
Medium-sized enterprise category – Malom és Kacsa
Multigenerational Rural Enterprise of the Year 2025, sponsored by Quality Direct
Micro-enterprise category – Farmer Lánya / Melon Agro Kft.
Small enterprise category – Proko Travel Kft.
Sustainable Rural Enterprise of the Year 2025, sponsored by Folprint Zöldnyomda
Micro-enterprise category – Seed Bonbon Handmade Kft.
Small entreprise category – Katica Tanya Experience Center
Medium-sized entreprise category – Wagner Solar Hungária Kft.
Socially Responsible Rural Business of the Year 2025
Micro-entreprise category – Rózsavilág
Small entreprise category – Natur Cleaning
Medium-sized business category – Napra Forgó Nonprofit Közhasznú Zrt.
Rural Entrepreneur of the Year Audience Award 2025 – A Fogadó
Rural E-commerce Entrepreneur of the Year Special Award 2025 with the support of Shoprenter – Berry Baby Kft.
Rural Brand of the Year Special Award 2025 with the support of Next Ship – Bazsalikomoskert
Media for Rural Entrepreneurs 2025
Newspaper article category – Gábor Knap, Magyar Konyha
Radio program category – Edit Babik, Rádiócafé 98
Podcast category – Federika Fait, z Cast, HVG Sustainability podcast
We would like to congratulate all the winners, as well as Ida Petrik and her team for this groundbreaking initiative!