Earlier this year, SDA Bocconi Asia Center proudly hosted the Hult Prize On-Campus Round, bringing together 93 student teams who presented innovative, sustainable business ideas aligned with one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The competition was a testament to the creativity, passion, and commitment of the next generation of changemakers.
Often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for Students,” the Hult Prize is one of the world’s most prestigious platforms for social entrepreneurship. With participation from over 120 countries, the challenge empowers young innovators to develop business-driven solutions to some of the world’s most pressing global issues.
We had the distinct honor of welcoming eight esteemed judges, each a leader in their field of social impact and sustainability:
- Ms. Mira Gugnani – CEO, Thrive India
- Ms. Devanshi Dwivedi – AVP, Corporate Sustainability, JM Financial
- Mr. Rahul Nainani – Co-Founder & CFO, ReCircle
- Mr. Purav Desai – Co-Founder, Greenlit & Cupable
- Mr. Viraaj Doshee – Managing Partner, PACK DEAL & Head, India Chapter – Liter of Light
- Mr. Arvind Giri – Lead, CSR, Alivus Life Sciences (formerly Glenmark Life Sciences)
- Mr. Pritesh Mistry – Founder & CEO, The Bio Company
- Mr. Rajesh Kumar – Head, CSR, Alkem Laboratories Ltd.
These industry experts evaluated each team’s proposal on the basis of innovation, feasibility, and potential impact. The level of competition was exceptionally high, and participants impressed the panel with their strategic thinking and dedication to building practical, purpose-driven solutions.
Following careful deliberation, Team EcoVision was declared the winner of the On-Campus Round. Their project focused on transforming sustainability in the rubber industry by introducing an innovative, eco-friendly process to produce sustainable rubber alternatives. The solution aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions while addressing the global issue of microplastic pollution in oceans.
EcoVision’s initiative not only presents strong environmental benefits but also promotes economic development by enabling job creation within local communities. The team later went on to represent SDA Bocconi Asia Center at the Hult Prize Regional Summit, further amplifying their vision on a broader platform.
Reflecting on the experience, Sagar Chaudhari, a member of Team EcoVision, shared:
“Being part of the Hult Prize journey has been transformational. It wasn’t just a competition — it was a crash course in social innovation, team synergy, and building scalable solutions under pressure. From our campus win to representing at the national finals, it deepened my problem-solving mindset and gave me confidence to tackle global challenges with entrepreneurial thinking.”
We extend our sincere gratitude to the judges, participants, faculty, and organizing team who contributed to the success of this event. The Hult Prize is more than a competition—it is a global movement, inspiring students to become purpose-driven leaders of tomorrow.
At SDA Bocconi Asia Center, we remain committed to fostering innovation, leadership, and sustainable impact. The future, undoubtedly, looks bright.