Hult Prize 2027: Global Student Startup Competition (1 Million US Dollar Prize)

The Hult Prize describes itself as the world's largest student startup competition. Each year, students form teams, build and scale a startup that addresses a major global challenge, and pitch it through several rounds. The winning team receives 1 million US dollars in funding. The organisation reports more than 200,000 participants a year. Students usually enter through a programme at their own university or through the open application on the Hult Prize website. Dates differ by university and round, so no single deadline is shown here. This page was last checked against the official website on 5 October 2026. Checked on 8 October 2026 against the Hult Prize website: registration for the 2026–27 competition is open. Teams have 2 to 4 members, all enrolled in a degree programme, and all at least 18 years old by 28 February 2027. There is no single theme: each team chooses one Sustainable Development Goal. The winning team receives 1 million US dollars as seed investment, and the foundation takes an equity stake in the winning startup (typically 10%). The official registration page does not state a closing date. Stages, checked 8 October 2026 on the official competition page: Qualifiers run from September to February, either through a competition at your university or through the Open Application if your university does not host one. Nationals follow in April and May, the Digital Incubator in June and July, the Global Accelerator in August at Ashridge House in London, and the Global Finals in September. The official pages do not give one fixed registration deadline; your campus programme sets its own date.