Business and networking is not just philosophy in a curriculum, it is a living mindset that is nurtured at every corner by IBS. What started as a casual Operations Management assignment turned into an unexpected business collaboration that blended tradition, innovation, networking and a bit of luck.
In May 2024, I wrote a paper about my family's business, Podrum Palić Distillery, one of Serbia's finest producers of rakija and other spirits. My professor, Krisztián Méhes (BA’98 graduate of IBS), was intrigued and casually mentioned that to his kindergarten friend, András, who was the commercial director of DunaPro Ltd.— the main distributor for NEFT Vodka in Central Europe. NEFT was looking to expand into the Balkans, and it seemed too perfect a chance to ignore. Krisztián connected the dots, and after my paper had been graded, we arranged our first meeting.
From Budapest to Belgrade
On May 17th, 2024, I met Krisztián and András for the first time to discuss the potential collaboration. Just a few days later, on May 21st, we held a more formal meeting at TwentySix in Budapest. I brought along Andor, my partner, and together we explored what a partnership could look like. The vibe was clear: there was potential, but we needed to make it personal.
The deal took a serious turn on June 10th when András and Árpád (DunaPro’s CEO) came to Serbia. We hosted them at our winery, Zvonko Bogdan, and distillery. After a day of tastings, business talk, and a long lunch, we struck a deal. The plan? We’d exchange pallets of our products—NEFT Vodka would be promoted in Serbia’s clubs, restaurants, and events, while our rakija and wines would debut in Hungary’s top venues, including TwentySix in Budapest. It was a handshake deal sealed with good food, great drinks, and a vision.
Formula 1 and Beyond
July brought an unexpected bonus: an invitation to the Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix. NEFT Vodka is the sponsor of the VisaCashApp Red Bull team, and they wanted us to experience the full VIP treatment. From meet-and-greets with drivers to launch parties and qualification races, it was a whirlwind. On July 18th, at Hungaroring, I met the owner of NEFT Vodka and DunaPro—a pivotal moment that solidified the partnership.
By August, we were deep into planning:
András sent over a detailed strategy for rolling out NEFT Vodka in Serbia, including activation plans, Horeca (hotel+restaurant+café) distribution, and promotional materials. We also brainstormed how to best introduce our products to the Hungarian market. It was clear: this wasn’t just a business deal; it was a deal built on shared ambition.
Crossing Borders
At the beginning of November, we received our first shipment of NEFT Vodka, officially kicking off the partnership. By January 2025, our products had been shipped to Hungary, completing the first phase of what we hope will be a long and successful relationship.
What started as a simple home assignment turned into a story of networking and entrepreneurship. From kindergarten friends reconnecting to businesses crossing borders, this partnership is proof that great things happen when people—and spirits—come together.