The new academic year has brought renewed success for the Hungarian Startup University Program (HSUP), now in its sixth year. Offered in English for the past two years, the program is currently available at 33 higher education institutions across Hungary.
This year marks another milestone: for the first time, Hungarian students studying abroad are also eligible to participate in the Hungarian Startup University Program (HSUP). As a result, over 3,000 students from 34 institutions are now beginning their HSUP journey, learning the fundamentals of innovation through hands-on experience and acquiring market-ready entrepreneurial skills.
The number of applicants has once again exceeded the previous year’s total, leading to a reshuffling in the ranking of universities with the highest participation. The University of Szeged now ranks third nationwide, with 207 students enrolled – surpassing several long-established institutions.
Top 5 Universities by Number of HSUP Students in 2025–2026:
- Széchenyi István University – 484 students
- Corvinus University of Budapest – 284 students
- University of Szeged – 207 students
- Óbuda University – 176 students
- Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania – 173 students
The University of Szeged has been a committed member of the HSUP community for several years. Its students consistently contribute high-quality innovation projects, thanks to a solid grounding in science paired with practical, real-world training. These strengths provide an ideal foundation for turning startup ideas into viable ventures during the program.
All HSUP participants benefit from equal access to program resources and financial support. In the second semester, students are eligible for a monthly stipend – increased this year to 65,000 forints – to assist them throughout the development process. At the end of the academic year, they can present their business concepts at Demo Day, where the most promising teams may be awarded up to 1 million forints in funding to help bring their ideas to life.
Source: SZTEinfo
