Corvinus Alumni: University Relationships Last a Lifetime

It’s said that the idea for Sharee Mobility started from a university project. You even won the Proof of Concept competition at Corvinus a few years ago. 

Yes, you could say it really began after a statistics exam. That exam wore me out, so I ended up at the Közgáz Year-End Festival that evening, where I met Ákos Balogh. He studied technical informatics at BME, while I earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management and later a master’s in Business Development. Our friendship and collaboration gave birth to Sharee Mobility Kft., and Ákos has been leading the technology department ever since. Winning the Proof of Concept competition was a huge milestone. Beyond the cash prize, the mentoring we received from Dr. Éva Pintér, Associate Professor at the Department of Innovation and Business Incubation, was invaluable. 

Can you explain the core concept of Sharee’s platform? 

Previously, companies maintained fleets of cars that were idle more than 90% of the time. We designed a platform that reduces the need for company-owned cars by offering flexible transportation options, like cars, bicycles, scooters, and even taxis, integrated into a company’s benefits system. Through our platform, employees can choose their preferred mode of transport based on factors like weather, destination, or task requirements. It’s cheaper and more efficient for companies than managing their own fleets. Plus, it helps reduce carbon footprints, especially when people opt for bicycles, electric cars, or public transport. Many companies have ambitious carbon reduction goals that are hard to meet, but our platform makes it feasible to cut emissions significantly — sometimes by as much as a ton in the first month for larger companies. 

How did you manage to get business partners on board? 

Initially, many were hesitant to collaborate. But once they realized that these benefits could be offered to employees tax-free and used for both business and personal purposes, they were eager to join. Our first major partner was BP, and we’re now in contractual discussions with several major Hungarian and international firms operating in Hungary. A memorable experience for me, still as a Corvinus student, was listening to a lecture on startup financing in the morning and signing a business contract in the afternoon. The university has contributed greatly to my journey, from providing a solid economic education to facilitating international study opportunities, like a semester in Atlanta. I’ve also built invaluable connections at Corvinus, like Dávid Baranyai, Head of Corporate and Institutional Relations, and even met my angel investor, Péter Csillag. After a decade and a half, he sold his startup and became a billionaire investor, there. 

What would encourage employees to choose a bike or public transport over a car provided by your company? Is it a matter of changing mindsets? 

Absolutely. We need to move away from seeing cars as status symbols. Cars can be stressful: they’re expensive, parking is a hassle, and in places like Budapest, public transport or cycling is often faster. Choosing these options not only benefits employees but also helps employers achieve their ESG goals. This mission is personal for me. While we are a for-profit company, we are committed to creating meaningful value. We’re also working on integrating with other applications, enhancing the platform’s usability. 

You’ve spoken about how much the university has contributed to your success. What about your family background? 

The connections I made at university, whether with classmates or fellow organization members, have been lifelong and pivotal. Even now, when negotiating with investors, it helps if a familiar face from Corvinus is involved. I’ve also had the privilege of returning to Corvinus to speak with current students about startup financing. Family has played a huge role as well. My parents work in conference and event management, and they taught me that running a business means being constantly responsible for your company and your team. My father has always supported me, and that has made a big difference. 

You’re only 27. What are your long-term plans? 

We aim to expand to more markets, particularly in Europe, starting with Germany. Our team of seven will grow to around 22 within the next six months, including German-speaking employees. English proficiency is, of course, a given. We embrace modern employment models — one of our colleagues even works full-time from Australia. And looking ahead, Asia is also on our radar. 

Katalin Török