University of Calcutta in collaboration with Hult Business School and UN organises Hult Prize 2023

The On-campus program of the world's biggest social entrepreneurship competition, Hult Prize, arranged in collaboration with Hult Business School and United Nations was here at University of Calcutta. 20^th January marked the 5^th time, the students of University of Calcutta arranged the Hult Prize On-Campus programme in the university to inspire the young brigade to be a part of this movement of changing the world through social enterprises. The competition was housed in the ancient heart of science and technology, Rajabazar Science College campus. The campus started to bustle with exuberance and dynamism as the contestants started reporting around 11:30 am.

It was a radiant day full of pandemonium and symposium as the organising committee made sure everything went on smoothly and jubilantly. Hult Prize organizing team of University of Calcutta was honored as Dr. Dipankar Chattopadhyay, professor of Polymer Science and Technology department felicitated 8 highly esteemed adjudicators of the competition, Avelo Roy (Managing Director, Kolkata Ventures) Rahul Basak (Co-founder & CEO, Amar Canvas) Anamika Debnath (Professor, NIFT Kolkata) Darniya Roy (Assistant Professor, NIFT Kolkata) Sneha Bafna (Founder, Sneha Bafna Label) Meghna Nayak (Founder, Latasita) Anirban Datta Gupta (Co-founder & COO, Altor Smart Helmets) Megha Garg Poddar (Founder, Megha Garg Clothing). There were a total of 15 participating teams in the competition which came down to 8 after a pre-selection round. The 8 renowned adjudicators were split into 2 judges panel with 4 members each in two competition rooms and 4 participating teams in each room pitched their wonderful business ideas to the judges. Top 2 teams from each panel of judges made it to the final round. Post first round, TRIBE, a Café chain located in Golpark, Saltlake and Behala, the food sponsor of Hult Prize 2023 University of Calcutta, served gourmet meals and beverages to the judges.

The final round of the competition commenced with a felicitation ceremony to honour the judges, where the organising committee presented them certificates as a token of appreciation. The qualifying teams for the final round were ReThread, TechThreads, The Elite Scrappers and SoulAce. After a great deal of questioning, pitching and brainstorming the judges came to a conclusion that “The Elite Scrappers” should be crowned the champions of this edition of Hult Prize with 347 point. The team aims to create a cleaner and greener environment by bringing reuse & recyclability in the fashion industry. Team SoulAce grabbed the 1^st runner up position with a close margin of 22 points and a total of 325 points. The prize pool not only consisted of the 1^st placed team a guaranteed place in the next round of the global competition i.e Summits (Regional Level) held in Mumbai but also a whooping gift coupons worth 20,000 rupees for the winner and 1^st runner up sponsored by The Unbranded Company, the no-label luxury clothing enterprise. The final showdown took place by presenting the certificates and gift coupons to the winning and runner up teams.

In a nutshell, it was an immensely successful event, and it is ecstatic to share that the winners of this edition will be representing University of Calcutta at the Regional Level, Hult Prize Summits 2023, held in June 2023. It's really a proud moment for everyone because University of Calcutta, once known as the cradle of Indian scientists is now fostering social entrepreneurs who will contribute and enrich innovation whilst maintaining sustainability which is the main motto of Hult Prize.