Debrecen4U October 8, 2025

City, wealth, vision: 25 years of experience discussed in Debrecen

The past quarter of a century was the theme of this year’s opening event of the DEViK Business Innovation Club. According to Mayor László Papp, life has proven that the establishment of the holding was a good decision.

“City, wealth, vision, or 25 years of experience” was the title of this year’s first DEViK Business Innovation Club at the University of Debrecen. The past, present, and future of Debreceni Vagyonkezelő Zrt. (Debrecen Asset Management Company), which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, was at the center of the roundtable discussion.

The Holding was established in May 2000, at the initiative of the then mayor of Debrecen, Lajos Kósa. “I wanted to operate the city’s entrepreneurial assets efficiently. There were one or two functions that could only have been carried out with difficulty—or not at all—within the city’s official administrative structure,” Lajos Kósa highlighted.

The participants of the discussion tried to provide insight into the development of the city and to show how traditions, value preservation, and future-oriented innovation can be harmonized for the benefit of Debrecen.

Virág Marossy, CEO of the asset management company, said that 25 years ago, the founders’ goal was to create a group of member companies that could be the engine of the city. “I hope that over the past 25 years, we have been able to demonstrate this to our owner, whether in terms of economic development, real estate development, or even maintaining financial stability in the city and ensuring the continuous provision of public services despite COVID and the energy crisis,” she summarized.

Mayor László Papp emphasized that the past 25 years have been one of the most turbulent and diverse periods in Debrecen’s history. This period was characterized by continuous development, one of the most important custodians of which was Debreceni Vagyonkezelő Zrt. 

“We chose a modern, up-to-date company form to operate the municipal entrepreneurial assets. And life has proven that this was a truly good decision, where it was not politicians who decided on the operation of the companies, but Debrecen residents with achievements and results in business life were on the board of directors. There was always a harmonious relationship with the municipality and the city administration,” he emphasized.

The aim of the Business Innovation Club, which hosts the roundtable discussion, is to help Debrecen university students and early-career graduates become entrepreneurs and realize their innovative ideas.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu