Have ideas for improving the world? Join the Hult Prize and you could win US$1,000,000!
Do you have a grand idea for how to improve the world? Enter the 2023/2024 Hult Prize and you could win US$1,000,000 to help you achieve it.
What is the Hult Prize?
The Hult Prize, partnered with the United Nations, is the biggest global competition for social entrepreneurs. It aims to help young people create their vision as the next generation leading worldwide change.
The year-long competition engages students to create high-impact startups that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The theme for the 2023/2024 challenge is ‘UNLIMITED’: you can pitch any idea you have for a social enterprise, as long as it’s world-changing and aligned with at least one of the SDGs.
Finalists will present their idea to a panel of experts, and the winning team will receive US$1,000,000 in funding to bring their transformative idea to reality.
You can find out about 2023’s prize winners, Banofi Leather, who turn banana agricultural waste into sustainable leather.
Who can get involved?
All Deakin University students over the age of 18 can enter. Build your own team of three to five or enter as an individual and we’ll try to match you with a team.
Timetable for the Hult Prize program
The competition features multiple stages taking place over the year:
| Step | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Until February 2024 | Information sessions and support offered to develop your entrepreneurship, pitching, and problem solving with industry, entrepreneurs and Deakin University academics. |
| Step 1: Deakin OnCampus Program qualifiers | End of February 2024 | The Deakin OnCampus Program hosts a finals pitch series to select a team to represent Deakin at the semi-final summits. |
| Step 2: Semi-final summit | June 2024 | Hosted in 12 cities across the world, teams will pitch their ideas to a panel of experts. |
| Step 3: Global accelerator | July to September 2024 | Remaining teams go through series of business challenges to fast-track concepts. Six finalists invited to in-person phase of accelerator. |
| Step 4: Global finals | September 2024 | Six finalist teams pitch their social ventures to a panel with winning team receiving US$1,000,000 to transform idea to reality. |
Keen to find out more?
Even if you don’t have an idea or a team yet, don’t worry! You can express your interest and we’ll be in touch with you to answer any questions, provide details of our information sessions and help match you with teammates!
Find out more details on the Hult Prize website or register your interest now!
You can also stay up to date with the Hult Prize at Deakin program on Facebook or Instagram.