The International Hult Prize Challenge

Representing the University of Calgary globally at the International Hult Prize Challenge was a dream I had as an undergraduate student. The International Hult Prize Challenge provided the perfect opportunity to kickstart my career in entrepreneurship, offering a chance to network with some of the brightest student entrepreneurs worldwide. The Hult Prize is a global social entrepreneurship challenge with four phases, starting from university on-site competitions all the way to a global finals competition in Paris, France. The prize? $1 million USD for the team with the most promising solution and business. 

I eagerly signed up for the challenge with a team of engineering students. The invitation for a Dubai Summit Competition arrived, and I knew I would be competing against business, fashion, and MBA students, alongside seasoned entrepreneurs. However, the chance to wear my Schulich scarf, discuss ideas nurtured with my teammates inside a club room, and present my "million-dollar idea" knowing that my university and the Scholars Academy financially supported my trip to Dubai was a tremendous motivator. 

As my team arrived at the Hult International Business School, exhausted but excited after months of preparation, we were greeted by enthusiastic professors from Hult's graduate MBA programs. Beyond them, students nervously checked out the competition, engaging in shy conversations. We decided to reach out and connect with people from all corners of the world, discussing education, backgrounds, fashion sustainability, and the scorching Dubai weather in June. I witnessed firsthand how diverse backgrounds influenced mannerisms, communication, and, as I would later discover, solutions to the challenge at hand. 

The summit was not just any competition, it was an opportunity to meet investors, influencers in sustainability, and advisors from Hult Business School. These groups worked to create a holistic experience, focusing on improving our entrepreneurial skills and fostering connections with like-minded individuals. 

Reflecting on the conference, I had three major takeaways. Firstly, trust in your idea. Regardless of the setting—be it a competition, conference, or casual discussion—you deserve to have your voice heard. No one knows your idea better than you do. Secondly, the further you are from home, the more you can discuss ideas and differences with people from entirely different backgrounds. Embrace diverse opinions, as they inspire collaboration and synergy. My team presented on textile waste resulting from the fast-fashion industry, but we saw a remarkable variety of approaches to the problem, from prototypes of banana leather to case studies about cotton farmers. Lastly, facing intimidating opportunities is an essential part of personal growth. To reach my goals as a student and community leader, I put myself in situations where I was uncomfortable. While the Scholars Academy helped fund my trip to the UAE for a social entrepreneurship competition, the lessons learned, connections made, and personal growth achieved far outweigh any challenges I faced, and I encourage other Scholars to seek similar opportunities to invest in their success.