University’s Inaugural Participation in Prestigious International Program Earns Global Recognition

Often recognized as the "Nobel Prize for Students," the is a prestigious global competition that challenges university students to develop innovative, impact-driven social enterprises that address the world’s most pressing challenges.

Held annually, the Hult Prize is the world’s largest student competition for mission-driven business ideas, mobilizing young entrepreneurs to tackle global issues through entrepreneurial solutions.

For more than a decade, the Hult Prize has engaged millions worldwide, with more than 100,000 students across 120 countries working to create innovative social startups. The program supports students in imagining, testing, and refining their ideas — helping them transform concepts into real-world ventures. The winning team is awarded $1 million USD in seed funding to bring their transformative vision to life.

Serving as the inaugural Hult Prize campus director at the University of New Haven has been a defining chapter for me, rich with valuable lessons and transformative growth. Behind this role is a journey spanning nearly half a decade, shaped by my involvement in various innovation-driven initiatives, with the Hult Prize serving as a pivotal milestone. I was first introduced to the program in 2020 during my undergraduate studies at The British College in Nepal, where I served on the Organizing Committee.

When I began graduate school at the University of New Haven in 2024, I recognized a gap in student-led innovation opportunities, particularly between undergraduate and graduate student engagement. Having witnessed the impact of the Hult Prize firsthand, I proposed bringing the initiative to our campus to create an inclusive platform where students from all disciplines and levels could apply their academic knowledge to real-world challenges.

After going through the selection, interview, and onboarding process coordinated by both the Hult Foundation and the University, I was honored to be appointed as the University of New Haven’s first campus director and led the launch of its inaugural on-campus Hult Prize program.

Introducing the Hult Prize to the University of New Haven was a proud milestone in my leadership journey. The real challenge began once the program was underway. With no campus presence, framework, or ecosystem, I was responsible for building the Hult Prize presence on campus from the ground up. Though familiar with the Hult model, adapting it to a new academic setting meant learning institutional systems from scratch. Balancing this work with graduate studies and my role as a student information technology assistant required adaptability and commitment. Dr. Michael Rossi, associate dean for the College of Arts and Sciences, supported the initiative from day one.

Once the foundation was in place, I focused on building infrastructure: leading recruitment efforts, coordinating outreach across departments, designing targeted marketing campaigns, developing creative assets, managing event logistics, and securing institutional backing. The work was hands-on and multifaceted, involving everything from digital design and email workflows to persistent faculty outreach.

Igniting student interest, sustaining engagement, and ensuring consistent visibility required daily, intentional effort. Graphic support from Rohan Poudel ’26 M.S. added significant value. It took daily effort, helping students navigate the platform and preparing for the On-Campus Finale, the first step toward national and global stages.

President Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D. acknowledged the program’s potential for long-term impact, while Brian Otis, EMBA, vice president for University advancement provided pivotal encouragement. Their backing reinforced the program’s credibility and helped establish it as a lasting platform for student-led innovation.

Bringing the Hult Prize to the University of New Haven was about laying the groundwork for a lasting culture of innovation and purpose-driven entrepreneurship. The launch brought out strong entrepreneurial talent from across campus.

One team, StockWave, introduced a logistics-based solution to reduce food waste. Sustainawave, the winning team, developed an upcycling model turning discarded denim into sustainable backpacks. SoulSprout focused on community farming to address hunger and unemployment.

What truly set this initiative apart was its ability to bring together students across disciplines, providing a platform where they could apply their knowledge to real-world challenges.

I had the opportunity to represent the University alongside Sustainawave at the Hult Prize U.S. National Competition in Boston, where we engaged with more than 60 student-led startups from across the country. The exchange of ideas with emerging changemakers underscored the potential of the Hult platform.

Our program was recognized among the Top 5 in North America and ranked in the Top 35 globally, selected from more than 3,000 universities across 120 countries. This was only the beginning. With a strong foundation in place, the path forward for student-led innovation at the University of New Haven is just getting started.

As I concluded my journey as campus director and graduated from the University of New Haven, I reflected on this experience, which exceeded every expectation. The nomination for the Hult Prize’s 2025 Global Community Award was a milestone I never anticipated when I set out simply to make the competition happen.

What I value most isn’t the accolades, but the opportunity to serve the University beyond the classroom. Contributing to something meaningful in its formative year and creating space for innovation to take root has been deeply fulfilling. From the outset, I envisioned the Hult Prize not as a one-time event, but as a platform that would cultivate student leadership and socially conscious entrepreneurship for years to come.

The road ahead is full of potential. I look forward to seeing future students continue building on this foundation with purpose and creativity.

This journey affirmed a belief I’ve come to understand through practice: conviction means little without action. Progress often begins without clarity, but with the courage to take the first step. I’ve learned that consistency is what drives meaningful outcomes. That mindset shaped this journey and will continue to guide how I lead and contribute going forward.

Nipson K C ’25 M.S. is a recent graduate of the University’s master’s degree in Information Science.