Pitching for Progress in Budapest
Within the framework of our EU-funded Impact Seed project, a cohort of social entrepreneurs are pitching their enterprises to capital providers at the CEE4Impact Day in Budapest, on October 9th. To give you an idea of what that means, we talked to Mario Salai of AISight and Ines Kovacic of Green Stay Croatia—two innovators tackling very different challenges, but united by a shared commitment to impact.
For Mario Salai, the motivation behind AISight is deeply personal: to enable blind and visually impaired individuals to experience the world with greater confidence and independence. "The company’s core innovation is the AISight mobile application, powered by advanced artificial intelligence and vision models. With natural voice interaction, users can get real-time descriptions of their surroundings, read text, and ask questions about what’s nearby", he explains.
Alongside the app, AISight also offers the AISight Asistent, a compact handheld device that works either in tandem with the mobile app or independently—giving users flexibility in how they engage with the technology. "It is already tested with associations for the blind in Croatia. Now, we continue to work with real-life feedback to improve the product and to ensure it meets real-world needs."
With a fully functional app set to launch on Google Play and a prototype device already in hand, the next step for AISight is to refine its hardware, complete CE certification, and secure strategic partnerships to scale production. In Budapest, Salai’s pitch focuses on the core promise: AISight as a way of providing sight through sound, blending the power of AI with human empathy.
A different type of impact is offered by Green Stay Croatia, a start-up looking to redefine how travelers discover eco-friendly stays. As the first platform in Croatia dedicated to verified sustainable accommodations, Green Stay tackles the problem of transparency in eco-tourism. Finding truly sustainable options can be frustrating for travelers — many claims go unchecked, and choices remain limited.
"Our platform currently features over 80 accommodation units with verified ecological practices", says Ines Kovacic of Green Stay Croatia. "The platform has already gained recognition through three startup grants. Soon, we will extend out offering to include authentic local experiences, enriching the travel experience while supporting local communities."
After 18 months in the early growth phase, Green Stay is now refining features and validating its model with both travelers and hosts. The next big leap? Scaling internationally, improving user experience, and attracting strategic investment. Kovacic’s Budapest pitch will highlight how local eco-projects can evolve into global models for sustainable tourism.
Why The Pitching Session Matters
For both AISight and Green Stay Croatia, the Budapest pitching event at CEE4Impact Day does more than just offer a stage—it’s an opportunity to forge partnerships, access critical funding, and amplify their missions. In Salai’s case, it’s about connecting with stakeholders devoted to inclusive technology. For Kovacic, it’s about inspiring investors to believe in innovative, eco-conscious travel models.
The pitching sessions fit in with the objectives of our Impact Seed-project, which is coordinated by Impact Europe and implemented together with a range of partners including FeelsGood Capital, Euclid Network, Act Grupa and Fund 2740. Through a variety of activities, the project aims to contribute to the expansion of the impact ecosystem in Central and Eastern Europe, using events like the CEE4Impact Day to build stronger connections and show the potential of the startups and impact enterprises in the region.