The Hult Prize, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for Students,” challenges university students worldwide to develop business solutions that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG’s). On February 26th 2025, the University of Eldoret proudly joined several other global University campuses and hosted its first-ever On-Campus Program-an extraordinary opportunity for students to showcase their innovative ideas and passion for positive change. This milestone not only positions the University of Eldoret on the global map of innovation and social entrepreneurship but also highlights the university’s commitment to nurturing students to create solutions for some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
The event was spearheaded by Kimberly Natalia Scott, the Hult Prize Campus Director at the University of Eldoret, with the invaluable support of Kimberly Amira, the Start-Up Teams Lead, and Dr. Becky Aloo, the Head of Intellectual Property Management.
The participating teams pitched their innovative solutions designed to address this year’s Hult Prize theme ‘Unlimited’, to externally sourced judges to provide invaluable feedback and guidance.
The judging panel consisted of esteemed professionals with vast expertise:
- Mr. Allan Ligare - Entrepreneur, agronomist, and founder of Mzuri Organics, known for his work in regenerative agriculture and climate-smart farming solutions across East Africa.
- Ms. Sarah Chepwogen - Co-Founder and Director of Sasakazi Digital Platform, an innovation leader driving digital transformation and youth empowerment across Kenya.
- Mr. Karim Kevin - Senior Business Advisor and Regional Lead North Rift at Kenya Climate Innovation Center, with extensive experience in agribusiness development, financial inclusion, and MSME growth.
During the event, Ms. Sarah Chepwogen who is the Technology Production and Innovation Lead at EldoHub talked to the students about the ‘Role of Eldohub as a Catalyst for Youth Innovations and Entrepreneurship’. The event was also graced by two other speakers:
- Cyril Sang - ICT Officer, ICT Authority, who highlighted opportunities in innovation and technology for young entrepreneurs at the ICT Authority.
- Erick Maina - Head of North Rift Branch, Customized Aviation Solutions, who shared valuable perspectives on the use of drones in various disciplines.
The On-Campus Program serves as the first step in a multi-stage competition, where winning teams advance to national and regional competitions, then to the Global Accelerator, and ultimately compete for the coveted USD 1 million seed capital at the global finals. By hosting the Hult Prize event on campus, the University of Eldoret provided its students with direct access to this prestigious platform—giving them a chance to become globally recognized change makers.
The successful launch of the Hult Prize at the University of Eldoret marks the beginning of a new chapter—where innovation meets purpose, and where University of Eldoret students rise to the occasion to change the world through social enterprise. Having the Hult Prize On-Campus program not only fostered entrepreneurial thinking but also reaffirmed the University of Eldoret’s dedication to empowering students to become solution-oriented leaders in Kenya and beyond.
The winners of the competition were;
| 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 celebration of their ingenuity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit, the winning teams were gifted with prestigious Hult Prize branded merchandise, for their groundbreaking ideas and bold steps into the global stage of social innovation and impact entrepreneurship.
Beyond the prizes, the top three teams will be representing the University of Eldoret at the regional level and potentially, the global level of the Hult Prize Challenge.
As the University of Eldoret embarks on the transformative journey with the Hult Prize, we look forward to more groundbreaking ideas from our students that will shape sustainable businesses and positively impact communities, driving both economic and social change. The Intellectual Property Management Office at the University of Eldoret is keen on supporting future Hult Prize On-Campus Programs to develop the intellectual capacity of students to innovate and create solutions to societal challenges.
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