The EF Hult Prize is a year-long global competition designed to turn bold student ideas into impactful, real-world businesses that tackle global issues. Across five progressive phases, it offers aspiring entrepreneurs a clear pathway to test, refine, and scale their ventures, while competing on an international stage for a chance to win win $1M USD in seed funding. This is more than a competition—it's a launchpad for the next generation of impact-driven entrepreneurs. Are you ready to take the journey?
Stage 1: Qualifiers
Timeframe: September - February
The competition starts at the local level, where students compete against their peers on university campuses around the world. With hundreds of local competitions hosted globally, participants gain early exposure and valuable pitching experience.
For students without access to a campus program, the online open application serves as an alternative entry point. Winners from local competitions, along with standout teams from the open application, advance to the next stage.
Stage 2: Nationals
Timeframe: March - May
National competitions are hosted by leading universities, where qualifying startups travel to compete against other teams from their country or territory. With more than 30 national competitions held worldwide, even more world-changing ventures have the opportunity to participate. National winners earn a place in the next round, while teams from countries without national competitions advance through an additional phase of rigorous online reviews.
- If a national program is not available in your country, or if you cannot attend the in-person event, your team may be reviewed through an equivalent online selection process including live interviews and further due diligence.
Discover National Competitions near you here.
Stage 3: Digital Incubator
Timeframe: June - July
Up to 60 startups are selected to join the EF Hult Prize digital incubator. Here, teams refine their ideas, validate product-market fit, create proof of concepts, develop MVPs, and set actionable go-to-market strategies. Participants also unlock exclusive perks from global partners, including scholarships, discounts, and business credits to support long-term growth.
Stage 4: Global Accelerator
Timeframe: August
Startups selected to advance from the Digital Incubator will transition to the in-person portion of the competition, traveling to the EF Hult Prize Global Accelerator at the historic Ashridge House just outside of London. Up to 25 startups will be invited to take part in this month-long, immersive program designed to accelerate growth—helping teams refine their strategy, expand their networks, and scale their impact globally.
Participants will:
- Receive top-tier mentorship
- Join interactive workshops to strengthen and scale their business
- Hear from some of the world's most promising founders and entrepreneurs
- Learn to deliver world-class pitches through weekly practice
- Pitch off-site and participate in startup demo days, showcasing their solutions to potential investors
Stage 5: Global Finals
Timeframe: September
The Global Finals is our most anticipated event of the year, where passion, innovation, and dedication shine on a global stage. Up to eight startups will pitch their solutions live to an audience and panel of world-renowned judges and investors, for the life-changing $1,000,000 USD EF Hult Prize.
- Many teams that do not win the final prize still go on to raise significant funding through the networks built during the competition. Learn more about our previous EF Hult Prize winners and their stories here.
Follow us on our social channels for regular event and competition updates.
For more information, please review our Terms & Conditions.