An Incredible Experience as a Mentor and Judge for the Hult Prize at DUT, DANANG

Being part of a prestigious event like the Hult Prize at Danang University of Technology (DUT) was an exciting and humbling experience. The Hult Prize, known globally as the "Nobel Prize for Students," challenges young minds to create viable, impactful startups. In 2021, the challenge aimed at building food enterprises that could transform supply chains, create jobs, and improve the lives of 10 million people by 2030.

It all began when I received an invitation from Huyen Tran, Vice Director of the Hult Prize at DUT. I was honored to be invited as both a Mentor for the participating teams and a Judge for the final round. This opportunity allowed me to share my experience in entrepreneurship and startup development while supporting and assessing student innovators.

Key Details of the Event

The Semi-final and Mentoring Day were scheduled for January 10, 2021. In the morning, 24 registered teams would present their ideas, and only six would advance to the final round. In the afternoon, I was tasked with mentoring these six teams, providing feedback to refine their concepts and improve their pitching skills. The mentoring sessions were thoughtfully structured, with 20 minutes allocated to each team.

The Final Round was set for January 17, 2021, where the top teams would present their well-developed projects to a panel of judges. The session was meticulously organized, and the judging criteria were comprehensive, focusing on the transformative nature of the idea, long-term impact, traction potential, scalability, and team dynamics. Each team had six minutes to pitch, followed by a four-minute Q&A session.

Mentoring and Evaluation Process

During Mentoring Day, I was impressed by the passion and ingenuity of the student teams. The Hult Prize at DUT highlighted a crucial aspect of the university’s entrepreneurial culture: students excelled in technical skills but needed guidance on business strategies, economics, and soft skills, including English. My role was to help them align their technical innovations with market viability, a critical component of successful startups.

The judging process was equally structured and thought-provoking. The criteria for evaluation ensured that the winning idea had potential beyond just a pitch—it needed to be transformative, scalable, and impactful. The scoring guidelines were based on five key elements: Idea (10 points), Impact (5 points), Traction (5 points), Wow Factor (3 points), and Team Spirit (2 points). As judges, we had to combine qualitative assessments with personal experience to determine the winning team.

Highlights of the Event

The Grand Finale was held in Hall F at the University of Science and Technology. The excitement in the air was palpable as seven teams delivered their polished pitches, showcasing their creativity and dedication to solving pressing global food challenges. The process of deliberating and selecting the best team was intense but fulfilling. It was clear that the students put immense effort into developing their business models, aiming to make a tangible difference.

Reflections and Gratitude

Participating in the Hult Prize at DUT as a Mentor and Judge was not only a rewarding experience but also a reminder of the incredible potential young minds possess when given a platform to innovate. The hard work of Huyen Tran and the entire organizing team made this event seamless and impactful. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute and for the warm hospitality extended to me.

The Hult Prize continues to inspire students worldwide, and I am honored to be part of its mission at Danang University of Technology. It’s heartening to see a new generation of entrepreneurs committed to making a positive impact on our world.