Following the outstanding Hungarian presence at CES 2026, representatives of HEPA and the participating Hungarian companies continued their professional program in California with a series of additional business events. The delegation first traveled to Los Angeles, where the Consulate General of Hungary organized high-level, targeted business meetings and negotiations.
As part of the program, Éva Dorogi, Foreign Trade Attaché, provided a comprehensive overview of market entry opportunities and programs that help companies establish a presence in California. The delegation took part in several B2B meetings and held an official discussion with the leadership of the City of Los Angeles to explore future cooperation opportunities. In addition, ScaleGrove Inc. hosted an in-depth workshop supporting market entry to the United States.
Participants also visited the Verizon Innovation Lab, where they became familiar with the company’s innovation ecosystem and potential areas of collaboration. The visit concluded with a networking event, offering valuable opportunities for Hungarian companies to build connections with local business stakeholders.
With the contribution of HEPA’s Canadian Regional Partner Office, three Hungarian companies also held a dedicated meeting with Ziglift Material Handling, a California-based logistics company.
After Los Angeles, the professional program continued in the world-renowned Silicon Valley. The two-day series of events was organized by the Vice Consulate of Hungary in San Francisco, by the Science and Technology Diplomat Eleonóra Mészáros.
Representatives of the companies and HEPA first met with the leadership of the Bay Area Council (BAC), who provided an in-depth overview of why the San Francisco Bay Area is considered one of the world’s most significant technology hubs. Discussions covered the region’s strong academic and research environment, the innovative activities of local companies, and the functioning of the local investment and financing landscape.
Participants learned about the Council’s role as a bridge between its approximately 400 member companies (including major corporations such as Amazon, Apple, and Bank of America), international delegations, and interested businesses. The meeting also explored how Hungarian solutions could best fit the region’s needs - particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence - based systems and electric vehicle infrastructure.
The program continued with consultations with the leadership of San Francisco. Topics included the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, the spread of autonomous mobility and the regulation of new technologies such as drone delivery.
The delegation identified several concrete areas of potential cooperation, including smart city solutions, the expansion of electric vehicle charging networks, and building modernization.
Afterward, the delegation was received by Lisa Gillmor, Mayor of Santa Clara, and the city’s Economic Development Director, Reena Brilliot. The meeting offered an excellent opportunity to explore the city’s potential and to showcase the innovations of Hungarian companies. Santa Clara is home to major global technology companies such as Apple, NVIDIA and Intel.
The series of programs concluded in San José, where city leaders presented how the former agricultural town transformed into one of Silicon Valley’s most dynamic and rapidly developing technology centers. San José hosts numerous global corporations and is at the forefront of innovative urban management solutions, especially in smart city development, providing Hungarian companies with highly valuable, market-relevant insights.
Across all locations, the negotiations were conducted at a high professional standard, resulting in numerous valuable connections that Hungarian companies can build on in the future. In addition to meaningful discussions, participants gained concrete experiences and market feedback. The knowledge and network acquired during the trip will serve as a solid foundation for long-term cooperation and successful future engagements.