Vizzu Featured on Portfolio.hu: A New Hungarian Success Story

This article was originally published on Portfolio.hu by Adam Pal Turzo. You can read the original version here.

Imagine this: you ask an AI for specific data insights, and a chart appears instantly. Need quarterly figures instead of yearly? Done. Want to switch from a bar chart to a line chart? Easy. Only interested in the top 10 values? No problem. That’s Vizzu in action—a visual data analysis tool created by a Hungarian startup with global ambitions. Since securing $1.5 million in funding in 2023, Vizzu has launched its beta application, now used by over 12,000 users. We sat down with Peter Vidos, Vizzu’s CEO and Co-Founder, to learn more about their journey and vision.

Lowering the Barriers to Data Analysis

Vizzu was built with a similar philosophy to low-code/no-code platforms, which have been transforming the IT world for years. The goal? Lower the barrier of entry to a field that has traditionally been the domain of specialists. While low-code platforms bring programming to (business) users and workers with an affinity to IT but no programming background, Vizzu aims to do the same for data analysis and storytelling.

“You shouldn’t need to be a data scientist or trained analyst to analyze large datasets and present the results in an engaging way.”

- says Peter Vidos. As it stands, many business professionals analyze data in spreadsheet tools like Excel or Google Sheets - using formulas, building pivot tables, and finding patterns. They then create charts manually and embed them in presentation software like PowerPoint and Google Slides.

“This process is fragmented and cumbersome,” Peter explains. “If you make a mistake or need to change direction, you have to start over. And if someone asks you a question during the presentation that you didn’t prepare for, the meeting comes to a halt.”

A Visual-First Approach to Working with Data

Vizzu’s approach flips the script by visualizing data from the very beginning, making it easier to uncover trends and insights.

“When you start with visualization, you’re not just analyzing data—you’re already crafting the story you want to tell,” - Peter adds.

“It saves time, helps your audience better understand the significance of your findings, and allows you to respond to questions on the spot.”

For example, one data story created with Vizzu compares the financial performance of Apple, Nvidia, and Tesla over the past 15 years. The presentation slides can be scrolled through by using the buttons at the bottom (Next, Prev), swiping left-right on a mobile device. Clicking on any of the companies’ name in the legend will highlight the corresponding data points.

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Another popular presentation illustrates the radiation exposure faced by the liquidators at the Chernobyl Disaster site in 1986, and compares it to radiation levels of typical situations ranging from an average person’s yearly dose to Chernobyl first reponsers. This story has racked up over 450,000 views.

Talking to Your Data

Recently, Vizzu added a generative AI feature that lets users “talk” to their data.

“In practice, this means you can issue commands just like you would in ChatGPT”

- Peter explains. “You can write in any language, asking for insights and specifying how the chart should look.”

Beyond text-based prompts, Vizzu allows users to interact directly with charts by filtering, sorting, and drilling down into data—bringing the capabilities of spreadsheets into a more intuitive and visual format.

Business Model and Growth Potential

“In terms of our target audience, we are clearly aiming at business users—primarily small companies, independent professionals, and consultants in the early stages,” says the CEO. He adds that they still need to address several data security and integration challenges to ensure Vizzu is suitable for enterprise environments from both IT and compliance perspectives.

Up till now, 12,000 people signed up for Vizzu. However, there is significant room for growth, as the combined user base of Excel and Google Sheets amounts to around 2.5 billion - a massive market.

The company plans to generate revenue through monthly subscriptions, using the “freemium” model widely adopted in the startup world. This means a broad user base will have access to a free version of Vizzu with basic features, while premium features, unlimited usage, and product support will be available for a fee. They are currently considering pricing between $20 and $50 per month.

Backing and Future Plans

In 2021, several notable Hungarian entrepreneurs and startup veterans backed Vizzu, including Balazs Vinnai of BnL (President’s Advisor at MBH and President of IVSZ) and Peter Csillag, Co-Founder of Straschema.

Last year, the startup raised $1.5 million in its most significant funding round, led by Interactive Venture Partners and joined by New York-based hedge fund, Two Sigma. Other backers include Zoltan Gyorko, President of Startup Hungary.

Now, the Vizzu team is preparing for another funding round to enhance its beta version and introduce subscription-based features.

‍A key focus will be the development of an AI-powered co-pilot to help users clean data, analyse insights and create compelling data stories.

The presentation below shows the experience the startup is working towards.

Meet Alex, exploring his company’s historical sales data. Watch how Vizzu AI helps him uncover insights, calculate metrics, and spot opportunities. The video pauses after each interaction, giving you time to explore every detail.

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