In a landmark moment for student entrepreneurship in Bangladesh, the University of Chittagong is set to host the National Round of the Hult Prize 2025 on 17 May – marking the first time this globally renowned event, often dubbed the “Student Nobel Prize,” will be held in the country.
The full-day showcase will gather 50 high-potential finalist teams selected from on-campus competitions across 45 universities nationwide. Chosen from over 3,500 applicants, these teams embody the nation’s rising tide of youth-led innovation and social impact thinking. Their mission? To pitch sustainable, profit-generating business solutions to some of the world’s most urgent challenges – and secure their place in the global Hult Prize Accelerator.
The event will be graced by distinguished academic leadership. Professor Dr. Muhammad Yahia Akhter, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chittagong, will attend as Chief Guest, alongside Pro-Vice Chancellors Professor Dr. Muhammad Shamim Uddin Khan and Professor Dr. Kamal Uddin as Special Guests. Professor Dr. Muhammad Shahab Uddin, Adviser of the Hult Prize at the University of Chittagong and a faculty member of the Department of Management, will preside over the event.
Read more: The Helping Hand Crowned By HULT PRIZE at BRAC University
Leading the charge in supporting this milestone initiative is KDS, stepping in as Title Sponsor to champion a new generation of change-makers. Key partners include Education Hub (Powered by Partner), A.K. Khan Group and Sam Bond from Samuda Group (Co-sponsors), along with Channel 24 (TV Media Partner), The Business Standard (Print Media Partner), TBS Graduates (Youth Engagement Partner), Markedium (Digital Media Partner), and Chittagong Live (Online Media Partner). Together, these organizations aim to elevate the reach and impact of Bangladesh’s student entrepreneurs.
The Hult Prize operated in collaboration with the United Nations and the Clinton Global Initiative – offers university students around the globe a chance to launch purpose-driven startups with real-world impact. Each year, one team earns $1 million in seed funding. Past winners have delivered groundbreaking solutions, including low-cost edtech, climate-resilient farming tools, and mobile health apps.
For this year’s national finalists, Chattogram is more than just a venue – it’s a launchpad. Winners of this round will advance to the prestigious International Hult Prize Accelerator, where they will join teams from over 21 countries for hands-on mentoring, entrepreneurial training, and access to a global innovation network.
This event does not just mark a first for the University of Chittagong – it signals a transformative leap forward for Bangladesh’s growing social enterprise ecosystem.
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