Balázs Szepesi is an economist, sociologist, and Doctor of Political Science (PhD). He leads the School of Economics and Center for Entrepreneurship Research at Mathias Corvinus Collegium. His professional background includes roles as an analyst, government official, and educator, with expertise in economic policy, competitiveness, regional development, and entrepreneurship. He is the founder of the Hétfa Research Institute and led the research behind the *Report on the State of Capitalism in Hungary* (2009).

Between 2018 and 2020, he served as Deputy Secretary of State for Economic Development at the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, where he directed SME policy and oversaw the development of a national strategy to support small and medium-sized enterprises. Previously, as Chief of Staff at the Ministry of National Economy (2010–2012), he contributed to competitiveness programs and coordinated the *Simple State Program*. He also worked on EU development fund planning as Head of Department (2004–2006) and analyst (1999–2000).

He is a permanent lecturer at Rajk College, a patron lecturer at Széchenyi István College, and has taught at the Debrecen Economist College. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of *Összkép* Magazine. Szepesi studied at Garay János High School in Szekszárd, the Budapest University of Economic Sciences, and Central European University, and is an alumnus of Rajk College.