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The University of Massachusetts Amherst has been selected to host a local edition of the Hult Prize, the world’s largest student competition. The annual Hult Prize awards one million dollars in start-up funding to a team of students that develops the most innovative, disruptive, and progressive idea to solve one of our world’s toughest social challenges. This is the first year that the University of Massachusetts Amherst will be hosting a Hult Prize event and we need your support!
What is Hult Prize?
The Hult Prize is an annual competition held amongst college and university students from over 600 schools around the world. The program is made possible in partnership with former U.S. President Bill Clinton and the Clinton Global Initiative. Teams are challenged to introduce and develop a business idea aimed at solving a particular pressing social issue. One million dollars in start-up funding is awarded to a team of students that develops the most innovative, disruptive, and progressive idea to tackle one of our world’s toughest challenges. The 2016 challenge is "to build a sustainable, scalable, and fast-growing social enterprise that doubles the income of 10 million people residing in crowded urban spaces, by better connecting people, goods, services, and capital."
What is the “Hult Prize @” program?
The “Hult Prize @” program allows schools from around the globe to host on campus quarterfinal competitions, inviting students of all programs (undergraduate, graduate, and PhD) to participate. The winner of the intra-campus event will automatically advance to compete in one of five regional finals happening across the world in Boston, San Francisco, London, Dubai and Shanghai in March of 2016. We are confident that our student body will rise to the challenge, succeeding in the Hult Prize competition.
Timeline
- Thursday 10/29: Information Night 1
- Thursday 11/5: Information Night 2
- Thursday 11/19: “Million Dollar Workshop”
- Tuesday 12/8: Hult Prize at University of Massachusetts Amherst competition
The two information nights will cover the registration process, the official Hult Prize case study, the Hult Prize at UMass Amherst event format, and past winning teams and their enterprises. This will also be a chance for students to mingle with other interested students, forming teams and sharing ideas for success. We are hoping that faculty members with expertise in entrepreneurship, sustainability, public policy, engineering, management, and other related fields will show their support by attending the information nights. Upon conclusion, attendees will be able to ask questions and voice their concerns.
Although only one winning team from UMass Amherst will continue to the regional finals, we want all participants to be confident in presenting their ideas in front of a large audience. The “Million Dollar Workshop” will only be offered to registered teams, and while it is not mandatory, attendance is strongly suggested. We will be Skyping with a member of the winning team of last year’s competition. Beyond inspiration, registered teams will receive insightful advice on how to successfully pitch their ideas. We hope to invite guest speakers, such as faculty, alumni, or sponsors, to speak with students as they prepare for the main event.
The Hult Prize at UMass Amherst competition will be the pinnacle of all competing and organizing participants’ hard work. Competing teams will present their ideas to a panel of preselected judges. The event will take place on campus (building/venue to be determined) and general attendance will be open to noncompeting students, faculty, alumni, and the public. The format of the event will depend on the number of registered teams.
Event times and locations will be updated as confirmed.
Please visit our official Hult Prize at UMass website (www.hultprizeat.com/amherst) for more information!
Check us out on Facebook!
Follow us on Instagram @HultPrizeUMassAmherst For additional information about the Hult Prize, visit the website! http://www.hultprize.org
Donations will be used for marketing materials such as flyers, posters, table toppers, and more! Donors will receive name recognition in the event's program.
Donations will be used for refreshments and materials for information nights and workshops leading up to the main event! Donors will receive name recognition in the event's program.
Donations will be used for the main event expenses such as the venue fees, catering, judging and participant materials, and other related costs. All donors will receive name recognition in the event's program as well as receive a handwritten "Thank you" from our Hult Prize team!
Donations will be used to cover expenses for the winning team to travel to the regional finals round in either Boston or San Francisco. All donors will receive name recognition in the event's program as well as receive a handwritten "Thank you" from our Hult Prize team!
Donations will be used for expenses specified in preceding levels. Donations over $500 qualify for sponsorship benefits. Donors will be contacted directly upon donation submission; contact gsemensi@umass.edu with additional questions regarding sponsorship opportunities. All donors will receive name recognition in the event's program as well as receive a handwritten "Thank you" from our Hult Prize team!