Letter to the editor: Prezi responds to HFP article

Dear Editor,

My name is Csaba, I am running Prezi’s International Communications. I was glad to see your article on us. However, it is not completely accurate. First of all, we haven’t opened up an office in San Francisco two years ago, but 7 years ago, in 2009.

According to my reading, the article was suggesting that the government or actions coming from the government had something to do with our decision to create a presence in San Francisco. Peter Arvai our CEO published an article about the reasons several years ago. Please read it. I would really appreciate if you could adjust your article accordingly.

It is also important to know that we still have an office in Budapest–actually the bigger one. Currently, we have two headquarters: one in Budapest with 170 employees and another one in San Francisco with 60 employees. So we have a crucial presence in Hungary and we do a lot to turn Budapest into an innovation hub. We have co-founded Bridge Budapest to promote entrepreneurship within Hungarian society and we are organising six conferences to bring knowledge to Budapest to create a vibrant community here.

Best,
Csaba

Csaba Faix
International Communications
Prezi

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Thank you for your feedback. I’m pleased that you liked my article and also thanks for the corrections. I was not aware that you opened your first office in San Francisco seven years ago. The Silicon Valley Business Journal reported in September 2013 that Prezi moved its HQ from Budapest to San Francisco. Based on that report I assumed incorrectly that your move happened two years ago. (See here.)

I’m aware that establishing new facilities is primarily a business decision, and I assume that was also the case at Prezi. I did not suggest, nor wanted to give the impression that “actions coming from the government” had anything to do with Prezi’s move.

At the same time, I find it interesting that another successful Budapest based high-tech company, Ustream, also decided to establish offices in San Francisco. I hope you agree with me, that besides the technical and business advantages, the City’s unparalleled multiculturalism, free spirit, tolerance and the creative blend of different cultures make the place irresistible for high-tech companies. (Not even mentioning the restaurants.) In these days hundreds of talented Hungarians are moving to Northern California, and I hope those who later return to Budapest will bring home the seeds of change for a more tolerant, multicultural Hungary.

Good Luck and thanks again for the note.

György Lázár

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