The University of Eldoret has made a remarkable stride in fostering innovation and social entrepreneurship by hosting its first-ever Hult Prize On-Campus Program on February 26th, 2025. Often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for Students,” the Hult Prize challenges university students worldwide to develop business solutions that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The event provided a prestigious platform for students to showcase their ideas and passion for positive change, positioning the university on the global map of innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Hult Prize On-Campus Program at the University of Eldoret was spearheaded by Kimberly Natalia Scott, the campus's Hult Prize Director, with the invaluable support of Kimberly Amira, the Start-Up Teams Lead, and Dr. Becky Aloo, the Head of Intellectual Property Management. These leaders worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the program, which saw students presenting their innovative solutions to address this year’s Hult Prize theme, “Unlimited,” to a panel of external judges. The judges provided critical feedback and guidance to help students refine their ideas for maximum impact.
As part of a multi-stage competition, the On-Campus Program is the first step in a global challenge where winning teams will progress to national and regional competitions, before advancing to the Global Accelerator and ultimately competing for the coveted USD 1 million seed capital at the global finals. By hosting this event, the University of Eldoret gave its students a unique opportunity to tap into this prestigious platform and position themselves as future change makers.
The competition’s winners were celebrated for their ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit. The results were as follows:
- First Position: Team Comp-BRIQ (Tony Ojuok, Dianah Wasike, and Moffat Murage)
- First Runners-Up: Team NCG Antipest (John Mwaniki, Naum Jepkosgei, and Valary Owela)
- Third Position: Team MTICARBO (Ashanet Atieno, Kariuki Waitherero, Joseph Magara, and Joseph Ekisa)
In recognition of their achievements, the winning teams were awarded Hult Prize-branded merchandise, symbolizing their groundbreaking ideas and their potential to make an impact on the global stage of social innovation and impact entrepreneurship.
Beyond the prizes, the top three teams will now represent the University of Eldoret at the regional level of the Hult Prize competition, with the possibility of advancing to the global level. This provides them with a unique opportunity to take their ideas to an international audience and make a significant contribution to solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
The successful launch of the Hult Prize at the University of Eldoret marks the beginning of a new chapter in the institution’s commitment to nurturing innovative, solution-oriented leaders. The On-Campus Program not only cultivated entrepreneurial thinking but also reinforced the university's dedication to empowering students to lead with purpose and make a meaningful impact in Kenya and beyond.
The event was celebrated as a significant milestone in the university’s history, inspiring students to continue developing innovative ideas and preparing them for the future of social enterprise. With the winners now poised to compete on a global scale, the best is yet to come for the University of Eldoret and its ambitious, driven students.
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