Summary
The winning team, named Narikel, came up with a plan to transform discarded coconut shells into polished bowl
A battle of business ideas pitched by aspiring entrepreneurs culminated
at St Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Calcutta, on February 23.
The competition started with more than 100 teams. After several rounds, eight made it to the final round on Friday.
The winning team, named Narikel, came up with a plan to transform discarded coconut shells into polished bowls.
Team Top Gun, which secured the second spot, pitched an idea to provide clean drinking water by using solar power.
Team Homely Vibes, which wanted to build an app that connects hostellers with verified homemakers for homemade meal subscriptions, came third.
The theme of the fifth edition of the flagship event of Hult Prize St Xavier’s College (Autonomous) Kolkata — OnCampus Program, 2024, in association with The Telegraph, was “Unlimited”.
Hult Prize is a global start-up accelerator for social good.
The event unfolded in three rounds. The prelims with over 100 teams were held online on February 13 and 14.
Sixteen teams qualified for the semi-finals held on the campus on February 16, where the participants developed their ideas into prototypes.
On February 23, eight finalists presented their detailed business plans in front of a jury of corporate honchos.
The winning team will compete in the upcoming national round in Mumbai.
“We are ecstatic that our team has been selected. The journey so far has been incredibly rewarding, filled with moments of hard work, collaboration, and growth. I’m truly grateful for each member’s contribution,” said Lakshya Chhabra, the captain
of the winning team and a B.Com first-year student at the college.
The eight finalists were mentored by Mikhil Innani, managing director and CEO, Apollo Finvest; Anjan Gupta, executive director, Morgan Stanley; Abbas Gabajiwala, founder and CEO, Blix Foundation; and Vineet Sethi, senior vice-president, diversified financial services, PayU.
The finalists pitched their ideas in front of Wilson Purty, chief marketing officer, brand products, Tata Steel; and Nandan Mall, CEO and founder of Hulladek.
“The event marks a celebration of hard work, perseverance, and the entrepreneurial spirit that characterises the values of our academic community. This year’s theme, “Unlimited”, holds profound significance as it seamlessly aligns with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, symbolising a collective vision for a more sustainable and inclusive future,” Father Dominic Savio, St Xavier’s College principal, said in his welcome address at Father Depelchin Auditorium.
The chief guest for the occasion was Atri Bhattacharya, additional chief secretary of Bengal. The guest of honour was Richa Shah, regional specialist, Central
and South Asia, Hult Prize Foundation.
Last updated on 27 Feb 2024
