Turning a Market Problem into a Successful International Startup

Back to news30/03/2026

Turning a Market Problem into a Successful International Startup

Corvinus alumna Petra Hajdu-Pásztor now leads her own startup in the international cruise industry. Her story demonstrates that with the right background and determination, a well-identified market problem can be turned into a successful business. Recently, an international education platform interviewed Petra, where she also spoke about the challenges of building a startup.

Petra Hajdu-Pásztor, founder of CLICKnCRUISE, launched her startup to make booking cruise trips simpler and more accessible for the digital generation. Their platform combines the speed of online solutions with expert support, bridging the gap between traditional travel agencies and the startup world.

Her career path was far from linear: she started out in Transylvania, studied in Győr, and later found her direction at Corvinus University, which ultimately shaped her professional future. She continues to actively use the knowledge she gained at the university—from SWOT analysis and leadership styles to strategic decision-making. An Erasmus experience in London, followed by a later job and even a chance conference encounter, led her to the cruise industry. As she puts it, these “coincidences” only later came together into a conscious career path.

The idea for her business also stemmed from a specific problem: Petra found it unacceptable that, until recently, cruise trips could only be booked in person using paper catalogues. CLICKnCRUISE offers a digital solution to this issue.

In the interview by Bluesky Thinking, Petra also shares insights into the challenges of building a startup and the biases she has faced as a female entrepreneur. The full interview is available in English.