Less than a year ago, University of Szeged students Szabolcs Perjési and Patrik Kordás were working to turn their idea for an app into reality. Since then, their ParkSafe app has taken them all the way to the final of Red Bull Basement, a global innovation competition. From June 1 to 3, they represented Hungary in San Francisco, one of the world’s leading technology hubs, where they presented ParkSafe to an international audience and competed alongside the top teams representing 48 countries. Back home, they are still taking in the scale of the experience. We spoke with the two computer science students from SZTE’s Faculty of Science and Informatics about their journey, the global final, and what it was like to bring their app to the world stage.
“Meeting so many young people who share our mindset – and seeing them work with the same determination to bring their ideas to life – was an incredible experience. It was deeply inspiring,” Patrik Kordás said as he began recounting their time in the United States.
ParkSafe, the app that earned the two students a place in the global final in San Francisco, could become an indispensable tool for cyclists. It helps users find bicycle parking facilities, nearby drinking fountains, repair shops, and bike stores throughout a city. The app can also plan routes based on the quality and safety of bike lanes while accounting for the realities of urban traffic.
As previously reported, the free app made its debut in late 2025 and has already received enthusiastic feedback from users and industry professionals alike. From a field of 144 entries, ParkSafe was selected as one of the 14 most promising projects in the University of Szeged’s innovation program. The team later advanced to the top 10 startups in the Hungarian National Talent Program before securing third place in a competition organized by the Entrepreneurship Club of Corvinus (ECC). The real breakthrough, however, came with Red Bull Basement, a global innovation competition and incubator program. After winning the Hungarian final with ParkSafe, the two Szeged students earned the opportunity to represent Hungary at the global final in San Francisco.
Szabolcs Perjési and Patrik Kordás in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of Red Bull Basement
Entering the global tech arena
After a 14-hour flight, the scale of the achievement finally began to sink in as Szabolcs and Patrik arrived in San Francisco and met the other finalists – the young innovators behind the top projects selected from 48 countries. Surrounded by teams who shared their excitement, ambition, and determination, they were now preparing to present ParkSafe to leading experts in the field.
The first day was devoted to getting to know the other participants and began with a welcome reception on a rooftop terrace overlooking the city. By the following morning, however, the atmosphere had shifted as the intensive professional program got underway.
“We joined workshops where we could meet experts face to face, pitch our idea, and receive direct feedback on its potential, areas for improvement, and possible new directions. It was incredibly inspiring to exchange ideas with senior professionals from major companies, including a member of AMD’s strategy team and Patton Janssen, a venture analyst at Plug and Play Ventures, one of the largest investment firms in the United States. For me, one of the most memorable moments was meeting a senior Microsoft professional – something I had dreamed of since childhood. Having that dream come true in a conversation with Matt Murphy, a marketing executive at Microsoft, was unforgettable, especially because he treated us as equals from the outset. The overwhelmingly positive feedback we received was another major source of motivation. What surprised us most, however, was just how open and approachable everyone was. In our experience, senior corporate leaders in Europe can often be difficult to connect with, but in San Francisco, forming genuine connections felt remarkably easy,” Szabolcs Perjési recalled.
Patrik Kordás and Szabolcs Perjési in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of Red Bull Basement
Much of the positive feedback focused on ParkSafe’s clear, intuitive interface. One observation, however, gave the developers an entirely new perspective on the app. While cyclists in Hungary and across Europe often prioritize finding the safest route, users in San Francisco highlighted another key concern: avoiding an unnecessarily exhausting ride. With its steep hills, the city can be demanding to navigate by bike. This sparked suggestions for a feature that could identify routes with the gentlest inclines or help cyclists steer clear of particularly steep sections. “We will definitely add this to the app. We think it is a great idea, and it is entirely feasible,” the students confirmed.
Winning by making it to San Francisco
The global final was an unforgettable experience for the two Szeged students. As Patrik recalled, the main event took place in a vast former shipbuilding hall, where each team was given its own dedicated showcase space. Rather than delivering conventional presentations, the finalists introduced their projects through informal, interactive conversations, bringing their ideas to life for jury members, experts, and investors.
As visitors moved from one stand to the next, they spoke directly with the teams while short project videos played on screens in the background. Each expert was given 100,000 virtual points to distribute among the competing projects. The team receiving the highest score advanced automatically to the shortlist, while the remaining finalists were selected by the jury.
Szabolcs Perjési. Photo courtesy of Red Bull Basement
“It was an incredible feeling to see our project ranked among the world’s best ideas – particularly because ParkSafe stood out as a finished product that people were already actively using. Many teams were still at the concept stage, so the excitement and surprise were unmistakable when people realized that our app was already available to download and ready to use. We were immensely proud that this gave us a clear advantage over many of the other projects – especially in the United States,” Szabolcs noted.
Although the American team ultimately claimed the world title, Szabolcs and Patrik left San Francisco feeling like winners in every sense. “This year, 140,000 people from around the world entered the competition, so reaching the top 48 teams was an extraordinary achievement. From the moment we arrived, we were treated like champions – and that is exactly how we felt. Simply earning our place there was already a tremendous success for us,” Szabolcs and Patrik reflected.
Inside Google’s San Francisco headquarters
The competition was not the only highlight of their trip. The two students also had the opportunity to visit Google’s headquarters, where they discussed ParkSafe with an expert and gained valuable insights into its marketing potential. The visit also included a tour of the office complex – an extraordinary environment that felt almost like a self-contained city in the heart of San Francisco. In addition to its workspaces, the complex featured restaurants, cafés, and dedicated areas for leisure and well-being, including a painting room, a yoga studio, and on-site medical facilities.
Szabolcs Perjési and Patrik Kordás in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of Red Bull Basement
Beyond the competition, the two Szeged students also found time to explore San Francisco, where they were struck by the visible presence of artificial intelligence in everyday life. Signs of AI were everywhere – on billboards, in storefronts, and across the digital services people used throughout the city. Experiencing this firsthand was particularly fascinating in comparison with Hungary, where artificial intelligence has yet to become such a prominent and visible part of daily life.
Turning connections into momentum
For Szabolcs and Patrik, the most valuable outcome of their time in San Francisco was the professional network they built. Several experts shared their direct contact details with them and encouraged them to reach out whenever they needed advice. They also established valuable connections at Google that may lead to new opportunities in the future.
The two developers are now determined to build on these relationships and carry the momentum of the trip forward. After returning from the United States, Szabolcs turned his attention to defending his thesis and completing his final examination. With those milestones now behind him, the pair are once again fully focused on developing ParkSafe – with no shortage of new ideas for where to take it next.
Patrik Kordás and Szabolcs Perjési
“We are already working on a major update featuring a range of new functions, including a series of challenges. One will invite users to cycle around Lake Balaton, with two routes to choose from: a faster, sportier option for those aiming to complete the distance as quickly as possible, and a sightseeing route for tourists that passes local landmarks along the way. At sites such as the Benedictine Abbey of Tihany, the app will also provide a brief introduction explaining what makes each location special,” the students revealed.
The team is now reviewing the feedback collected so far as they consider the next stage of ParkSafe’s development. The experience they gained in San Francisco, together with the insights shared by international experts, has given them far more than lasting memories – it has helped them define a clear and promising direction for the app’s future.
Original Hungarian article by Tímea Fülöp
Feature photo: Szabolcs Perjési and Patrik Kordás in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of Red Bull Basement
