EF Hult Prize 2027 — student startup competition

About this opportunity

The EF Hult Prize is a year-long, five-stage competition for student entrepreneurs. Teams build for-profit startups aimed at global problems, get mentorship as they advance, and compete for US$1 million in seed funding. Stage 1, Qualifiers, runs September to February: thousands of student teams pitch on campus at their own university, or apply through the Open Application if their campus doesn't host a round. Stage 2 is national competitions (April–May), Stage 3 a digital incubator for national winners and top online applicants (June–July), Stage 4 a month-long accelerator at Ashridge House in London (August), and Stage 5 the Global Finals in September. For a student with an idea, the campus qualifier is a low-risk way to pitch in front of judges for the first time — and the ladder above it is unusually long.

What you get

• Pitch on campus with no entry fee
• Mentorship as teams advance through five stages
• Digital incubator support for national winners and top online applicants
• A month-long accelerator at Ashridge House in London for top teams

Prize or recognition

US$1 million in seed funding for the global winning team

Who can take part

• Students only
• Team entry required

Students currently enrolled in a degree-seeking programme at a college or university. Register your team through the official Hult Prize portal; campus rounds are organised by host universities.

Eligibility is copied from the organizer's own published rules — they make the final call. Confirm on the official page before you apply.

Coming later: attendees who leave genuinely useful reviews will earn credits toward paid opportunities. Nothing is being awarded yet — reviews are unpaid and unverified for now.