The Grand Finale of the Hult Prize On-Campus 2024-25 at the University of Rajshahi took place last Saturday, marking the successful conclusion of the eighth edition of this prestigious global entrepreneurship challenge. This year, the event witnessed remarkable participation, with over 400+ teams submitting their innovative business ideas and elevator pitches. After rigorous screening, the top eight teams advanced to the final round, which was hosted at the Deans Complex conference room at Rajshahi University on February 1st.
A Platform for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
The Hult Prize On-Campus round serves as the first stepping stone toward the coveted global prize of $100,000. This year’s event was generously title-sponsored by VRC Study Abroad Ltd, with Ifad Group of Industries as the ‘Powered by’ sponsor and Symlex VPN as the Associate Partner. Business Inspection BD proudly served as the digital media partner, ensuring comprehensive coverage and insights into the event’s journey.
Distinguished Judges and Guests
The event’s Grand Finale panel featured esteemed industry professionals, including:
Ashraful Shabab – HR Business Partner CD and DFA & Wellbeing Manager, Unilever Bangladesh Limited
Md. Abdul Momen – Area Sales Manager, Marico Bangladesh Limited
Asaduzzaman – Brand Manager, Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited
Rashedul Islam Sajib – Mobility and HR Specialist, JTI Bangladesh Limited (Guest Speaker)
Prominent faculty members and university leaders also graced the occasion. Professor Dr. Md. Main Uddin, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic), and Professor Dr. Md. Farid Uddin Khan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration), attended as chief guests, while Honorable Vice-Chancellor Dr. Md. Saleh Hasan Nakib sent his best wishes to the participants.
The Winning Teams
The eight finalist teams—Team Parkour, Team Exam Ahead Still Participated, Team JWTEE, Team Jhalmuri, Team Ecosparks, Team One Zero Five, Team Fakibaz, and Team Dynamic Minds—delivered impressive business pitches. After an intense competition, the winners were announced:
Champion: Team Jhalmuri
1st Runner-Up: Team Parker
2nd Runner-Up: Team Ecosparks
These winning teams received crests and prize money totaling 10,000 BDT and will now have the opportunity to compete at the national round.
Industry-Academia Collaboration for Future Growth
Speaking at the event, Professor Farid Uddin Khan emphasized the importance of competitive events in preparing students for the global market, stating: “It is not possible to establish oneself in the global economy without participating in competitions like the Hult Prize. I believe RU students will continue to excel in such platforms.”
Pro VC Main Uddin highlighted the role of case studies in modern business education: “Top universities, including the Ivy League, integrate case studies into their curriculum to prepare students for real-world business challenges. At RU, we are also taking steps toward fostering a stronger industry-academia collaboration.”
A Record-Breaking Edition
Campus Director Pranto Barua expressed pride in RU students’ enthusiasm: “Our goal is to showcase RU’s entrepreneurial talent to the world. With initiatives like these, we hope to establish RU’s presence on the global stage.”
Deputy Director Azmine Tasik highlighted the unprecedented scale of participation: “This year, we saw the highest number of team registrations. Numerous workshops and collaborations with industry experts have also taken place, thanks to the overwhelming interest from students and the dedication of our organizing team.”
A Strong Network of Partners
The event was supported by an extensive network of partners, including:
Strategic Partner: Marico Bangladesh Limited
IT Partner: Quanta Systems
Travel Partner: Tripeazy
Food Partner: Duke Restaurant
E-learning Partner: BrightSkills
Campus-based Club Partners: 20+ partners supporting the initiative
As the digital media partner, Business Inspection BD played a vital role in capturing the event’s highlights, interviews, and key moments, ensuring its impact reaches a broader audience.
The Hult Prize On-Campus 2024-25 at the University of Rajshahi has once again demonstrated the innovation, entrepreneurial drive, and ambition of Bangladesh’s youth, setting the stage for greater achievements in the global arena.
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