Innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration took centre stage in MET's first internal entrepreneurship challenge, designed to uncover ideas with the potential to create value across the Group.
With 22 applications submitted by 38 colleagues within a tight deadline, the response exceeded expectations and demonstrated the entrepreneurial mindset that thrives across our organization. Following a competitive selection process, five teams advanced to the final round and travelled to our Swiss headquarters in Baar to present their ideas to MET Group CEO Huibert Vigeveno and the Sales & Trading Segment Management Board.
Five teams earned their place in the finale, with three ultimately reaching the podium. Throughout the process, participants transformed early concepts into structured business cases, balancing creativity with commercial viability.
As György Domokos Vargha, Head of Trading & Wholesale Division and Deputy CEO of the Sales & Trading Segment, the main sponsor of the initiative, puts it: "Entrepreneurship is the moment when curiosity becomes courage and ideas become impact."
Behind every pitch was a journey of collaboration, learning, and determination.
By combining expertise from different functions, personal experiences, and fresh perspectives, participants developed concepts with the potential to create significant value for the company. The quality of the proposals demonstrated how innovative thinking can emerge from every corner of MET when people are given the opportunity to challenge existing approaches and explore new possibilities.
For many, the experience mirrored the energy and excitement of a start-up environment.
"The funniest part was when, over drinks one evening, we decided at the last minute to build a demo and present it live on stage. We took the risk, and it worked," recalls Aljosa Bilic, Systematic Power Trader & BESS Portfolio Manager at MET Bulgaria.
Others found that the greatest challenge was giving shape to ambitious ideas.
"The most challenging part was turning an ambitious idea into a credible business case," says Odett Belényes, Junior Business Controller at METCE Hungary.
The competition also fostered new connections across teams and functions.
"The best part was getting to know each other, especially as we started from several projects that were eventually merged," shares Tamás Ortmann, IT Enterprise Architect at MET Group.
For János Szabadics, Energy Efficiency Business Development Expert at MET Hungary, the highlights were the collaborative moments along the way: "I really enjoyed our group meetings and strategy sessions."
The initiative was closely linked to one of the key values of the Sales & Trading Segment Division: Entrepreneurship.
More than a competition, it provided a platform for colleagues to think boldly, test ideas, and explore opportunities beyond their day-to-day responsibilities. The enthusiasm shown by participants, mentors, and jury members reflected the strong appetite for innovation throughout the organisation.
As Daniel Gonzalez, Junior Power Originator at MET Spain, puts it: "Here at MET we have the chance to innovate, and this can help set us apart and make us leaders in the energy transition race."
For the winning teams, the experience continues beyond the final presentations.
As a reward, participants will take part in unique team experiences, such as a freediving adventure in the Canary Islands and a Jeep safari in Paphos. Both activities have been designed to celebrate their achievement while fostering teamwork, resilience, and a spirit of exploration – qualities that were evident throughout the competition.
The success of this first edition demonstrated the value of creating space for colleagues to develop ideas, challenge assumptions, and think like entrepreneurs.
The programme generated innovative proposals, strengthened collaboration across teams, and brought our entrepreneurial culture to life in a tangible way. Most importantly, it showed that great ideas are already within MET, waiting for the opportunity to surface.
Congratulations to our finalists: Zsófia Oláh, Odett Belényes, Zalán Pálfi, János Szabadics, Kitti Erdőfi-Szabó, Ana Duran, Daniel Gonzalez and Álvaro Hernando!