Hult Prize Competition
The quarter finals of the Hult Prize Competition were held on Friday, 25th February 2022. The Competition attracted 150 team entrants, drawn from all campuses of the University of Nairobi.
Speaking to Varsity News, Mr. Mitesh Varsani, the deputy Hult Prize campus director, declared a general satisfaction with the competition, noting that 18 teams had been successful and would move up to the next stage of events which is the semifinal. The theme of the 2022 competition was creating 2000 jobs by 2024.
The teams had the task of making pitches for startups that would clearly define the problem and the customer as well as demonstrate a need to solve. The teams had to demonstrate that their solution would not only create jobs but would also solve the needs of the customer realistically and sustainably. Interestingly, several teams struggled to indicate how their solutions would impact and benefit both employees and society at large benefit, within the parameters of stated goals of UN SDG Number 8.
Many of the teams seemed to have the skills and experience necessary to execute their vision, expressed their passion, commitment and had clearly defined roles. Overall, the 18 teams selected had have tasted quite an experience and going forward, the Committee will continue to enhance their ideas as they move forward through various boot camps that have been organized, including one on design thinking.
In a related development, the organizers of the Hult Prize will be staging a semifinal, on Friday, March 4th 2022.
May the best teams win.
