Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design

Creative Business Program

Aims of the program
Program Content
Program benefits
Team
The Creative Business Programme offers current MOME students, as well as graduates from 2022 to 2025, an intensive incubation opportunity to transform their creative ideas into marketable businesses.
Application deadline
23 June 2025, 11:59 PM
Program
8 Sept 2025 – 8 March 2026
Language
Hungarian
Program Lead
Júlia Vesmás
Contact
incubation@mome.hu

Applications are now open for the 2025 Creative Business Program! You can find the call for applications and the application form via the link.

We are building a supportive and safe environment for creative teams and creators who want to build purpose-driven businesses — businesses that impact not only the market but also the future.

MOME has set itself the ambitious goal of becoming the leading creative industries and innovation center in Central and Eastern Europe by 2030. To support this goal, we launched an art and design–focused incubation program in 2022 to support young creators, researchers, designers, and emerging entrepreneurs in Hungary. Then, in 2025, we established the Creative Business Program to encourage the growth of 

a collaborative and internationally recognized design ecosystem. 
The Creative Business Program supports active BA and MA students and graduates from 2022 to 2025, who have already learned the basics of business development, have a great idea and a fledgling business plan, and are committed to becoming entrepreneurs in the creative industry. 

Aims of the program

1.Professional Support

Providing emergent creative entrepreneurs with the necessary knowledge and tools to give them the best chance of successfully launching their own business. 

2.Solid Foundations

Helping participants to successfully position their projects in the market.

3.Mindset

Shaping designers and artists whose way of thinking focuses on long-term value creation, ethical practices, and collaboration-based, sustainable operation.

Program Content

During the six-month program, we provide a structured learning environment, knowledge and tools for the development of creative businesses, while supporting like-minded individuals and teams to nurture a creative community and providing custom-tailored professional mentorship to help them achieve their specific goals. 

During a goal-setting workshop, teams collaboratively establish realistic yet challenging objectives with the assistance of professional trainers. To achieve these predefined goals, we provide professional support through creative mentor networks, expert consultations and workshops, and, as resources allow, access to necessary development tools and spaces. 

The milestones defined in the project plan will be presented during regular monthly collective consultations. The program concludes in March 2026 with the presentation of the development process and the final product or project. 

Program benefits

Business Planning

Participants will learn how to get the most out of their business ideas through a structured development process using business design tools. With the help of experts, they will review the strategies and tools needed for marketing, positioning, pricing, and financing, as well as examine which sales channels will prove most effective. 

Team Building

During the program, we’ll work with you to identify any skills or expertise your team may be missing and help pinpoint areas where you should expand your team to build a successful and sustainable business in the long term. 

Mentoring

During the program, you will meet regularly with experienced creative entrepreneurs who are also creators or designers. Additionally, you will have consultations with our business experts covering areas such as law, finance, accounting, tax, marketing, and branding. 

Workshops

The program offers a series of skill-building and knowledge-enhancing workshops that are relevant to all participants and actively contribute to the development of their projects. 

Facilities

Participants have the opportunity to use MOME’s infrastructure and campus workshop facilities within previously set boundaries for activities directly related to the product or service they are developing in the program. 

Communication

During the program, students will learn how to communicate their ideas effectively, build valuable relationships with industry professionals, increase the visibility of their projects, and make their work accessible to their target audience. 

Participants

UTO

UTO is a contemporary piece of jewelry that helps turn your shirt into a statement piece in the name of regenerative design. 

At Least

This home gym helps you integrate sport and training into your everyday life. The project aims to make exercising at home more attractive without compromising on aesthetics or space. 
The version shown in the picture was developed through several phases, with one of the first milestones being the MOME incubation program itself. 

Fraxinea

Fraxinea is a material research-based project that has grown into a business. Collaborating with nature, it creates flexible materials grown from fungal mycelium, offering a real alternative to synthetic sponges, artificial leather, or textiles. Its first product, the Symbioma yoga mat, is currently under development. 

Mentors

Nóra Demeczky

DE_FORM DESIGN AGENCY

Petra Hoffman

Makers Market, Taanka, Stilblog

Fyling Objects, MOME

Beáty Istvánkó

ISBN galéria

Kristóf Kiss-Benedek

Kisjustk

Ferenc Laufer

Flying Objects, Lauferofen

Tünde Ruzicska

Ruzicska Tünde Ceramics

Márton Elek

Gepetto Design Studio

Team

project manager

horvath.julia@mome.hu

Creative Launchpad Lead , master instructor

vesmas.julia@mome.hu

The application consists of two phases: 

Round 1 – Completing the application form, which includes information about the idea, the representative/team, a presentation showcasing the business plan and goals, the vision, and a one-pager. The evaluation criteria are attached to the call for applications. 

Round 2 – Participation in a PITCH presentation and a personal or group interview. 

Application deadline for Round 1: June 23, 2025 (Monday) at 11:59 PM. 

After evaluating the applications submitted in Round 1 (June 23–27), the most promising teams will be invited for a personal interview where they will be asked to convince the professional jury of their commitment and the viability of their creative business idea in an 8-minute pitch presentation. Teams invited to the interview and presentation will have the opportunity to present between July 2–3. The order of presentations will be communicated to the team representatives a few days before the interview. 

Exception 1: Teams applying to the program with projects developed in the B2D_3 and HSUP courses during the spring semester of 2025 (with a valid application) who present their pitch at the HSUP-B2D Demo Day on June 25 are exempt from the personal interview. 

Exception 2: Teams applying with projects developed in the B2D_3 and HSUP courses during the spring semester of 2025 (with a valid application) who are awarded or receive special prizes by the jury present at the Demo Day will get direct admission to the program. 

Leaders of the projects selected for the program will be notified by July 15 at the latest via the email address provided on the application form. 

Only the project leader/idea owner/contact person needs to complete the application form, meaning one person per project fills it out.

To help with preparing the one-pager, an optional workshop will be held on June 13. You can register for it via the link provided in the call for applications. 

The one-page document should clearly and concisely present the essence of the project or idea, including its purpose, solution, target audience, and market opportunity. It should also include a brief summary of the business model, as well as an introduction to the team or key members: 

  • Project name and logo (optional) 
  • A unique and memorable name that reflects the project’s identity. 
  • Mission statement 
  • Briefly explain why the project exists, what problem it solves, and what value it creates. 
  • Problem and solution 
  • Describe the target audience’s problem and how the project offers a unique solution. 
  • Target audience 
  • Define who the product or service is for and why it matters to them. 
  • Product or service description 
  • Briefly introduce what the project offers and how it works. 
  • Market opportunity and competitive advantage 
  • Outline the competitors and explain how the project differs from existing solutions. 
  • Business model 
  • Explain how the project will generate revenue and from which sources. 
  • Team introduction 
  • Present the team members and their roles. 
  • Contact information 
  • Provide contact details such as email address, website, or social media profiles. 


  • Idea presentation – What is your idea, how does it work, who is it for, and why does it matter? 
  • Target audience / Persona – Who are your users? What are their desires, needs, and challenges? 
  • Problem statement – What problem are you trying to solve? 
  • Previous research findings – Share any relevant statistics, interviews, or survey results. 
  • Proposed solution – Present the current state of your solution. 
  • Unique value proposition – What makes your idea stand out? 
  • Competitors / Benchmarking – Who else is out there, and how do you compare? 
  • Business model / Revenue model / Operating model – How will your business work, and where will the revenue come from? 
  • Team introduction – Who does what, and what are their strengths? 
  • Next steps – Possible research directions,


The vision describes the state or moment you aim to reach in 5 or 10 years. This could be a press release, a feature on the cover of a desired online platform or magazine, an award, the planned product in use, or a snapshot of the team’s daily life. The content of the vision is open to interpretation, but it’s important that it is relevant and motivating for the team’s or project’s future outlook.

  • Collaborative teamwork: How committed, motivated, and cohesive is the team? 
  • Attractive product: Is the product appealing and does it address a real problem or need? Does it provide added value to users? 
  • Technological feasibility: How feasible is the product or service from a technical standpoint? 
  • Viable business: How sustainable and viable is the business and operating model? 
  • Mission: What social impact do you aim to create? What is your mission, and how strongly does the team believe in it? 


Teams taking part in the program receive comprehensive professional support necessary for launching a creative business, with a market value exceeding 1.2 million HUF per team. 

The support includes: 

  • A structured development process using business design tools 
  • Mentorship from recognized creative industry entrepreneurs (6 sessions) 
  • Expert consultations in areas such as law, finance, marketing, etc. (6 sessions) 
  • Six skill-building workshops (e.g., business modeling, pricing, branding) 
  • Networking opportunities 
  • Teambuilding and group consultations 
  • Access to infrastructure and workshop facilities at the MOME campus within defined limits 

 

Active BA/MA students at MOME and graduates from 2022 to 2025 can apply (preferably with an existing core team). Applicants should have a validated business concept (an MVP is a plus), market potential, and be committed to starting a company. Team members can include non-MOME students or graduates, but at least one member must be a current MOME student or alumni.

We are currently looking for creative teams with viable business ideas to apply. Ideal applicants are active BA/MA students with an existing core team, recent graduates, or alumni from the past three years who have a validated business concept and market potential (having an MVP is a plus) and are committed to starting a company. 

Key criteria include: 

→ A committed team of at least two members, with at least one being a current MOME student or alumnus 

→ Basic business knowledge (e.g., through HSUP, B2D courses, or team members with business experience) 

We primarily encourage teams to apply, but if you have the right skills and determination, you can also apply as an individual entrepreneur.

Most of our mentors are MOME alumni who have successfully established themselves in the market over the past 15 years, working as designers and creators while running their own businesses.

MOME’s Business to Design (B2D) course and the Hungarian Startup University Program (HSUP) provide an excellent foundation for business development. Over three semesters, B2D students learn the basics of business design, creative market research methods, innovation techniques, and setting sustainability goals, while exploring suitable career paths through individual and group work with mentors. HSUP introduces Hungarian students to innovation, modern entrepreneurial skills, and the workings of startups through a shared educational platform.

These programs provide participants with deeper insights into business planning and prepare them to bring their creative ideas to life.

For former B2D and HSUP participants, the Creative Business Program is a natural next step, designed to help them further develop and implement their projects.

Teams applying to the program with a project developed during the B2D_3 and HSUP courses in the spring semester of 2025 (and who have a valid application) and present their project at the Demo Day on June 25 are exempt from the in-person interview.

We are looking for dedicated teams or highly motivated MOME students and alumni with individual entrepreneurial aspirations who have basic business knowledge, a validated business concept, a preliminary business plan, and a strong commitment to bringing their product or service to market. 

Additional requirements include: 

  • Demonstrated autonomy and proactivity in achieving project goals and setting long-term plans 
  • Commitment of at least 15 hours per week to project development throughout the program 
  • Completion of specified milestones by their deadlines 
  • Regular attendance and active participation in mentoring sessions, peer meetings, and group consultations 
  • Participation in the Demo Day at the end of the program 


The six-month program offers admitted participants a structured framework, knowledge, and tools to develop their creative ventures, while supporting the growth of a community of like-minded individuals and teams. We also support the achievement of project goals through tailored professional mentorship.

To meet the goals set together with their mentors, participants receive expert support through consultations and workshops, as well as, whenever possible, access to the tools and facilities needed for development.

Milestones outlined in the development plan are presented regularly during collective consultations held at predetermined intervals. The program concludes in March 2026 with a final presentation showcasing the development process and the product or project.

All collective consultations and joint programs take place face-to-face on the university campus (1121 Budapest, Zugligeti út 9-25, 1121 Budapest). The nature of the individual consultations with the mentor (face-to-face/online) in the incubation program is decided jointly by the mentor and the participant.

The program is conducted in Hungarian. Knowledge of English is important but not essential to complete the program.

Participating teams may be at different stages of development or offer diverse products or services, so their goals and outcomes can vary. Together with their mentors, teams will set realistic yet ambitious goals. Possible outcomes include: 

  • Establishing a legal entity (e.g., SME, individual entrepreneurship, association) 
  • Launching creative practices that encourage collaboration 
  • Bringing a product or service to market 
  • Founding a new business or introducing a new service 
  • Running a crowd funding campaign 
  • Securing financial support or seed capital 


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