Bagbazar, February 15, 2025: The atmosphere was filled with innovation and determination as the semi-finals of the Hult Prize at IOE, Pulchowk Campus took place at MIT College, Bagbazar. This remarkable event brought together the top 25 semi-finalist teams, each competing for a spot in the grand finals. With the theme “UNLIMITED,” these aspiring changemakers showcased groundbreaking ideas to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges while aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The event commenced promptly at 10:00 a.m. Two hosts guided the day: Miss Saisha Shrestha, the Outreach Manager, and Miss Prashansa Shrestha, the Marketing Lead of the organizing committee. The day began with a warm welcome from Miss Saisha Shrestha, who set the tone for an inspiring and action-packed event. The occasion officially started with a traditional Khada welcoming for the judges, followed by the lighting of panas by our esteemed guest. Once this was done, all attendees, including participants, stood for the national anthem. The Campus Director of the Hult Prize at IOE, Pulchowk Campus, Miss Riyaj Nepal, then addressed the crowd with a wonderful speech, marking the beginning of the official pitching session.
Participants then took the stage to present their innovative solutions, each having four minutes to pitch their ideas and four minutes for judges to ask questions. The esteemed panel of judges included business strategist Nikita Bajracharya, software development expert Ujjyol Singh, Miss Nepal World 2015, activist Ms. Evana Manandhar, climate advocate Rajan Thapa, and startup ecosystem leader Satish Khadka.
The judges received sheets containing the judging criteria, which included key performance indicators, business model evaluation, market testing, and other essential aspects. All judges carefully considered these criteria as they assessed the participants’ pitches.
From leveraging renewable energy to tackling climate change and redefining accessibility through technology, the teams showcased their potential to create a lasting impact. Each pitch served as a testament to the creativity, dedication, and resourcefulness of the participants, who refined their ideas based on the feedback from the judges.
The judges expressed their admiration for the caliber of the presentations. Ms. Bajracharya and Ms. Shrestha praised the participants for their “clarity of purpose and commitment to impactful solutions.” Mr. Singh commended the integration of technology in the proposed solutions, while Mr. Thapa and Mr. Khadka lauded the teams’ focus on sustainability and scalability.
At around 1:00 p.m., there was a half-hour lunch break for all judges and participants, during which they enjoyed delicious food boxes from Meroma Restaurant and beverages from Manakamana Beverage.
As a gesture of gratitude to the judges for their time and energy, Miss Prashansa thanked them and then invited our Campus Director, Miss Riyaj Nepal to present each with a handcrafted wooden token from our gifting partner, CNC Kasthakala Nepal, alongside a plant from our in-kind sponsor, The Plant Room Nepal, Lakhamri from Kathamandap Khadya Udhyog, and delicious refreshments from our food sponsor, Kantipur Coffee.
After hours of rigorous evaluation and deliberation, the judges tallied their scores, and ten teams were
selected to advance to the finals, earning the opportunity to go on a fully funded trip to Kerala. The top ten teams were:
- Pragatisheel
- Power Optimizers
- Wheytogo
- Creovative
- Indriya
- LipSync
- Invasive Engineers
- Swasthya AI
- Ankur
- CloseAI
- FarmEasy
These teams are now one step closer to representing IOE, Pulchowk Campus on the international stage of the Hult Prize. The event was more than just a competition; it served as a platform for learning, networking, and mentorship. Participants gained invaluable insights from the judges, who emphasized the importance of perseverance and adaptability in entrepreneurship.
The semi-finals celebrated the power of young minds to challenge the status quo and drive positive change. With the finals on the horizon, excitement continues to build.
Stay tuned for the grand finale of the Hult Prize at IOE, Pulchowk Campus, where the best of the best will compete for the ultimate title. As these young innovators prepare for the next stage, they remind us of the boundless possibilities when passion meets purpose.
Congratulations to all the semi-finalists for their incredible efforts and best of luck to the finalists!
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25692944/IMG_1637_edit.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1 "Starlink Mini review: space internet goes ultraportable")
