In this world, there are many issues affecting people’s lives. Poverty, disease and famine are all features of both the modern and developing world. While we hope to fix these problems, a method isn’t immediately evident. In 2010, the Swedish billionaire Bertril Hult sponsored the Hult prize as a means of searching for solutions.
Eight years later, the Hult prize is one of the largest entrepreneurial competitions in the world. The prize gives a team of 3-4 students the chance to pitch their startup idea to industry leading experts. The winner is given $1,000,000 in seed capital to fund their business. It goes without saying that the potential impact of this investment is enormous.
Many winners of the Hult Prize have gone on to change the world with their idea. Past examples include the Aspire Food Group, which provides an affordable protein-rich food source to people in developing countries. Another winner was IMPCT, who created a website which connects investors to day-care centres in the developing world, allowing them to invest in and build affordable child care in low income and slum communities.
Ex-US President Bill Clinton issued the call to action this year, by setting the goal of solving youth unemployment. This is the challenge which anyone hoping to win the prize must overcome by planning a venture which will change the lives of 10,000 youth within 10 years.
Here at Newcastle’s Entrepreneur Society, we are lucky enough to be hosting the Newcastle stage of the competition. It will take place on December 8th and 9th in King’s Gate Building. It is open to anyone studying at Newcastle University. During the event, we will provide free meals for all students attending. After the event at Newcastle, the winning team will go on to the regional stage in London. If you get through that round, you’ll be on to the finals at the United Nations in New York. Whichever stage you get to, the event will be an incredible experience which will introduce competitors to the world of business and prepare them for practical challenges they may need to overcome. It is also a great place to network with other like-minded individuals.
Registering is easy. You don’t have to be an expert, have a team, or even an idea. We also accept students from many different subjects, such as Business, Computer Science, Chemistry, Natural Sciences and Modern Languages. You can sign up on our Facebook page. Just go to the link facebook.com/NCLentrepreneurs.
