Beginning in the 2025/2026 academic year, Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania joined the HSUP – Hungarian Startup University Program, run by Nemzeti Innovációs Ügynökség Nonprofit Zrt. (NIÜ, the Hungarian Innovation Agency). HSUP is one of the most significant university entrepreneurship development programmes in Hungary and the Carpathian Basin.
During the second semester of the programme, 24 Sapientia students took part in developing innovative startup projects. Fifteen of them worked in six project teams initiated by Sapientia students, while a further nine joined startup projects launched by students from other higher education institutions.
The HSUP programme aims to develop students’ entrepreneurial mindset, innovation skills and market-oriented thinking. Participants gain practical experience by developing innovative solutions to real economic and social challenges. A key strength of the programme is its interdisciplinary approach, which brings together students from different academic fields to develop viable business ideas.
Startup Projects Initiated by Sapientia Students:
aCél
Project Lead: SÜKET Levente-Domokos (Faculty of Technical and Human Sciences, Târgu Mureș, Computer Science (Engineering))
Team members: GYÖRGY Ákos (Computer Science (Engineering)); LAKATOS Patrícia (Public Health Services and Policies)
aCél is an intelligent archery target system and mobile application that combines traditional archery with digital technology. The system uses integrated optical sensors to detect hits accurately and in real time, eliminating the need for manual scoring.
The mobile application provides instant feedback, generates statistics and offers game-based challenges. The solution is designed both for sports clubs organising competitions and for amateur archers seeking personalised training support.
Gestura – AI-based Mobile Interpreter Application for Deaf People
Project Lead: DARAY Judit (Faculty of Sciences and Arts in Cluj-Napoca, Law)
Team members: ÁDÁM Zsombor (Eötvös Loránd University – ELTE, MSc in Computer Science); BOTOS Kristóf-Gábor (Faculty of Technical and Human Sciences, Târgu Mureș, Computer Science)
Gestura is an artificial intelligence-based mobile application designed to facilitate communication between deaf and hearing people in Romania.
The application converts speech into Romanian Sign Language in real time using an animated avatar. Through the device’s camera, it can also recognise signs and convert them into speech or written text.
As part of the project, the team conducted market research, developed user and institutional personas, created a business model and designed the application’s functionality and user interface. The solution could help reduce communication barriers caused by the shortage of Romanian Sign Language interpreters, particularly in healthcare, education and public administration.
HyperField Precision Systems
Project Lead: DAMOKOS Dóra (Faculty of Economics, Socio-Human Sciences and Engineering, Miercurea Ciuc, Marketing; MA in Management and Leadership)
Team members: KOVÁCS Csenge and SOMOGYI Enikő (University of Debrecen)
HyperField Precision Systems aims to make agricultural crop protection more efficient and sustainable.
The project is based on an intelligent IoT-enabled light-trap system that automatically collects and analyses data on agricultural pests. Artificial intelligence is used to identify insect species, while meteorological data help predict periods of mass flight.
The system enables farmers to determine the optimal timing of crop protection measures, thereby reducing chemical use, production costs and environmental impact.
Mobile Juice Production
Project Lead: SIMONFI Csaba (Faculty of Technical and Human Sciences, Târgu Mureș, Horticulture)
Team members: SIMON Tünde and CSÍKI Róbert (Faculty of Technical and Human Sciences, Târgu Mureș, Horticulture)
Mobile Juice Production is a concept for a mobile fruit-processing unit. The fully equipped pressing facility is installed in a container, making it easy to transport and quick to set up. This allows fruit growers to process their produce on site. The system can process up to 1,100 kilograms of fruit per hour and does not require specialised technical expertise to operate. The project also places strong emphasis on the circular economy: by-products generated during pressing would be further utilised by the cosmetics industry. In the long term, the business is intended to operate through a franchise model.
PlantSync
Project Lead: IVÁCSON L. Boglárka (Faculty of Technical and Human Sciences, Târgu Mureș, Landscape Architecture)
Team members: RÁDULY Zsanett (Faculty of Technical and Human Sciences, Târgu Mureș, Computer Science (Engineering)); MÓZES Timea (Faculty of Technical and Human Sciences, Târgu Mureș, Landscape Architecture)
PlantSync is a smart plant-care system consisting of a mobile application and intelligent sensors. The system provides personalised care guidance based on the type of plant and its environmental requirements. The application sends reminders for watering and other care tasks, while the sensors provide real-time data on soil and environmental conditions. The project aims to simplify plant care, reduce plant loss and support more sustainable and responsible home gardening.
XPLORE
Project Lead: VÁGÁSI Áron (Faculty of Technical and Human Sciences, Târgu Mureș, Communication and Public Relations)
Team members: MEZŐFI Tihamér (Computer Science); GHENEA Erika (Communication and Public Relations)
XPLORE is a smart urban exploration application that turns sightseeing into an interactive, game-based experience.
Users follow digital routes, complete local history quizzes and photography challenges, and discover city landmarks by scanning QR codes. The points they earn can be exchanged for discounts and rewards provided by local businesses.
The project would first be launched in Sovata and could later be expanded to other tourist destinations. XPLORE encourages young people to explore cities actively, supports local businesses and provides municipalities with an innovative tourism tool.
The following Sapientia students contributed to startup projects initiated by students from other higher education institutions in Hungary:
Demo Day – Hungarian National Final
The startup projects were presented online on June 3–4, 2026 as part of the Introduction Day event. From nearly one hundred projects, the professional jury selected 15 teams to participate in HSUP Demo Day, the Hungarian national final.
We are delighted that XPLORE, led by VÁGÁSI Áron and developed with the participation of MEZŐFI Tihamér and GHENEA Erika, was selected among the top 15 startup projects.
The team will represent Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania at the Demo Day held on 3 July 2026 at the Bosch Budapest Innovation Campus. The students will present their project to investors and a professional jury and compete for the title of Best HSUP Startup Project 2026.
We congratulate all participating students on their commitment, creativity and dedicated work, and wish the XPLORE team every success in the national final.
Project 2022-1.1.2-STARTUP-2022-0001 was implemented with the participation of Nemzeti Innovációs Ügynökség Nonprofit Zrt. (the Hungarian Innovation Agency, NIÜ), with support from Hungary’s Ministry of Culture and Innovation and funding from Hungary’s National Research, Development and Innovation Fund.
SAPIENTIA HUNGARIAN UNIVERSITY OF TRANSYLVANIA
Scientific Research Department
The Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania is the independent university of the Hungarian community in Romania, which aims at providing education to the members of our community and performing scientific research on a high professional level.
Scientific Research Department
400112 Cluj-Napoca
Matei Corvin Street No. 4
