Analog Success in a Digital World – Interview with the Founders of Etelburg, Gábor Megyeri and Péter Megyeri

Although most of us last encountered fountain pens in elementary school, it is an undeniable fact that handwriting still holds significant value today. The founders of Etelburg, Gábor Megyeri and Péter Megyeri, however, went much further - they built an entire family business around this passion, creating their own pens and establishing a sustainable and enduring brand.

Edina Balogh’s original article in Hungarian was published on Remind.hu and can be read here. The following English translation was prepared by Etelburg.

Tell us a bit about how the Etelburg story began. How did fountain pens become your passion?

Gábor Megyeri: I have always loved objects that are not only practical, but also carry added value. I studied industrial design, and during my years at Montblanc and Montegrappa, I realised that a fountain pen is not just a tool but can also be a form of expression. With Etelburg, we wanted to carry forward this value-driven mindset: to create products that are more than what they appear to be.

Péter Megyeri: I come more from the business world, dominated by numbers and rational thinking. I worked for years in multinational corporations, but I was always drawn to the creative experience. When we started the business, our family ties and shared values quickly helped us find common ground. We were both motivated by the desire to create something lasting, though at the time, we didn’t know what an adventurous journey awaited us.

Nowadays, few people use fountain pens. Aren’t you worried your product might struggle to find its target audience?

Gábor: At first, we really thought our fountain pens would mainly appeal to a narrow circle of collectors. But we had to realise that lovers of writing come from a much broader group. Our customers are very diverse: lawyers, doctors, artists - all who understand and appreciate the importance of analogue values even in this digitalised world.

Péter: Our experience is that handwriting has gained renewed importance in today’s modern age. It not only restores the joy of creation but also tangibly helps keep the brain active. Research shows that regular handwriting improves memory, stimulates cognitive functions, and may even slow the progression of dementia. For us, this is more than just a nice idea; it’s a core value. With Etelburg pens, we want not only to popularise handwriting, but also raise awareness of its importance.

While browsing your website, I noticed you offer a wide variety of options for those looking to buy ballpoint or fountain pens, including the chance to purchase unique, custom-made pieces.

Gábor: Our pens are about expressing individuality and freedom. The modular design allows everyone to customise their pen according to their needs: switching from a fountain pen to a rollerball or choosing different nibs. The colour selection is also a deliberate choice, making the writing experience more personal with unique shades.

Péter: We even developed an app, which includes a tool that can capture any colour from the environment and turn it into ink. This freedom inspires our users. But to be a bit more practical, let’s talk about pricing. Our basic models cost 149 euros, which is roughly 70,000 Hungarian forints. Our current most expensive product is the r.feather, priced at 702 euros - a true example of the intersection of technology and design.

I read that every piece is made entirely in Hungary. What challenges has this brought in manufacturing?

Péter: Anyone wanting to produce something quickly, cheaply, and with high quality in Hungary is taking on an impossible task. But jokes aside, we knew it wouldn’t be the easiest path. Still, it was important for us to build the brand on Hungarian roots. This dedication is present in every pen, though we can’t manufacture and source everything domestically. However, with the r.feather model, we pushed this to the maximum. We’re proud not to have compromised on quality control, even if this process has been slower and more difficult.

Gábor: Manufacturing in Hungary is beautiful but challenging. These were obstacles we had to overcome, especially at the beginning. The situation is better now, but since our partners work in various parts of the country, the process still requires a lot of coordination and constant oversight. Maintaining manufacturing quality demands ongoing attention, as even the smallest flaw diminishes the overall product impression.

You’ve achieved notable success both domestically and internationally, but where is the Etelburg brand headed?

Péter: Rapid success was never our goal. We didn’t create this startup to quickly scale and then sell it off. We believe in lasting values that people appreciate and pass on. We aim to make the brand known to an even wider audience in the future and for the name Etelburg to become synonymous with refined quality and durability.

Gábor: Etelburg is not just a business, but a long-term project. We consciously and continuously reinvest our revenues into development so that our products remain relevant for generations and leave something behind for our children. You could see it as a kind of legacy. From the start, we wanted to build a brand that is recognised and respected not only at home but internationally as well.

One unavoidable question: Is it an advantage or disadvantage to work together as relatives?

Gábor: Definitely an advantage. Our family bond and being cousins create a deep trust that’s hard to replace elsewhere. Even in the toughest situations, we can be sure that the same core principles, ideas, and thoughts guide us.

Péter: We’re strong in different areas, which makes us a great complement to each other. This is one of our superpowers: we can rely on each other and together always bring out the best in ourselves and our company.