Zach Michonski | January 25, 2016
How do you solve some of the world’s most pressing problems? The answer lies in cultivating one of the greatest resources on Earth: innovation.
The Hult Prize inspires teams of socially-minded business students across the globe to use their knowledge, creativity and innovative ideas to design and implement sustainable solutions. The result has been nothing less than extraordinary.
“Alone we can never solve the world’s worst problems – access to clean water, hunger, technological divides – but by joining forces we have a better chance,” says Bertil Hult, the Founder of EF Education First.
The 2015 winning team with President Bill Clinton and (at the far right) Philip Hult.
Since 2009, thousands of students from over 150 countries have put innovation to the test for a chance to implement their ideas and learn from global leaders. This groundbreaking approach of strategic long-term support and mentorship caught the attention of President Bill Clinton, who partnered with the Hult Prize through the Clinton Global Initiative.
“The Hult Prize is one of the top five ideas changing the world,” said former U.S. President, Bill Clinton.
The 2016 challenge topic, as chosen by President Clinton, is Crowded Urban Spaces. Student teams will focus on economic inclusion through improved mobility and increased connectivity to people, products, services and capital. The challenge presents an opportunity for innovation, collaboration and social entrepreneurship – all deeply aligned with EF’s core values.
Hult International Business School hosts regional events in Boston, San Francisco, London, Dubai, Shanghai and online where students pitch their ideas. One team from each event is chosen to present their start-up at the annual Clinton Global Initiative. The winners walk way with $1 million in seed capital, funded by the Hult family, to launch their social venture under the guidance of global industry leaders.
Today, the Hult Prize serves as one of the largest student movements for social change. Students around the world are seeing firsthand how their knowledge and skills can be applied for good as well as for profit. In turn, they’re solving some of the greatest challenges of our time.
Learn how high school students are solving global issues with design thinking, creativity and collaboration at EF’s Global Student Leaders Summits.