From classrooms to social change: Hult Prize wraps at BracU

Brac University became a hub of innovation and social entrepreneurship as it hosted the final round of the Hult Prize 2025. The Hult Prize, the world’s largest student competition, is organized by the Hult Prize Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations. With a great display of the institution’s commitment to nurturing socially responsible innovators, the event served as a platform for students to collaborate across disciplines and identify burning social issues.

The event commenced with opening remarks from Fabiha Enam (Senior Lecturer, BBS), followed by speeches from David Dowland (Registrar, BracU), and Muhammad Muhtasim Jawad (Marketing Head, Foodie). Their addresses emphasized the importance of student-led solutions in tackling pressing global and local challenges, setting an inspiring tone for the competition. The judging panel consisted of distinguished professionals from diverse industries: Lithe Moontaha Mohiuddin (Assistant Director, Lithe Group), Abrar Sayem (President, BAYLA), Tasnim Hossain (COO, Herlan) Shantanu Ray (CPO, Astha Feed Industries) and Muhammad Muhtasim Jawad (Marketing Head, Foodie). The judges spectated the pitches and pushed teams to think beyond concepts and focus on real-world execution.

Five finalist teams took the stage to present their business pitches, Arcanine, Pawpals, Greensync, Nirbaan, and Triple F Gang. The presentations reflected the quality of the participants and a shared winning mindset focused on creating real, positive impact for society. Team Nirbaan, consisting of Ushama Rashid (Senior, CSE), Muhtasim Billah Nafe (Senior, BBS), Humayra Nawar Irfan (Senior, BBS), and Md. Arefin Islam (Senior, BBS), won first prize with “Aroma Bangla”, a 100% natural, biodegradable and scented mosquito repellent designed as a safer alternative to chemical-based products. Their initiative strives to reinvent insect repellents, focusing on health, environmental sustainability, and indoor usability, addressing a common yet often overlooked household problem.

Reflecting on their journey, the members said, “Winning the Hult Prize was more than an achievement; it validated our readiness as aspiring social entrepreneurs, strengthened our resilience, reinforced teamwork, and reaffirmed our belief in the power of purpose-driven ideas to drive meaningful and sustainable social change.” The experience at the event taught them valuable lessons in prioritization, teamwork, and decision making under pressure.