Top Team Selected at 2025 Hult Prize Taiwan National Competition to Represent Taiwan on Global Stage-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

The 2025 Hult Prize Taiwan National Competition was officially held from April 26 to 27 at the International Convention Center Tainan and Macronix International Hall, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), hosted by Hult Prize Foundation and Atelier Future from NCKU, with full sponsorship from Bank SinoPac. This marks the first time the Hult Prize is being held as a national-level competition in Taiwan, and NCKU is proud to bring the spirit of social innovation to the heart of Tainan.
 
The competition serves as a dynamic platform for collaboration, impact-driven innovation, and sustainable development. The 19 competition teams were selected from over 200 applicants following local campus rounds and a public call organized by the Hult Prize Foundation. Each presented proposals addressing issues in fields such as biotechnology, climate technology, healthcare, food systems, and digital inclusion. The two-day event gathered 19 student startup teams from universities across Taiwan, including domestic and international students, showcasing their bold ideas to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges through entrepreneurship.


New Generation of Entrepreneurs Steps Forward
 
From a pool of 19 promising student teams in the preliminary round, the top 6 finalists were selected to pitch their refined business solutions in front of a panel of international judges with expertise in impact investing, innovation, sustainability, and social entrepreneurship. Two teams from National Cheng Kung University, FOVY and EcoFitae, also advanced to the final round.
 
After a competitive final round featuring live Q&A sessions and critical feedback, the judges awarded first place to Renaisun from National Tsing Hua University, whose startup concept Agriculture & AgTech stood out for its innovation, execution, and potential for global impact. The winning team will now represent Taiwan at the Hult Prize Global Accelerator, vying for a spot among the top 50 global teams and ultimately competing for the US$1 million grand prize as one of the top 25 global teams in the United Kingdom later this year.
 
In his remarks, a representative from Bank SinoPac affirmed the bank’s commitment to sustainable development and innovation. “At Sinopac, we believe in the power of young minds to create solutions for the challenges we face today. We are committed to supporting initiatives that foster creativity, collaboration, and sustainable development. The Hult Prize is a perfect example of such an initiative, and we are proud to be part of it.” said Daniel Chang, Assistant Vice President at NCKU Branch, Bank SinoPac.


Backing Youth Innovation with Institutional and Corporate Support
 
The opening ceremony featured representatives including Alden Zecha, a global representative of the Hult Prize Foundation, who traveled from Boston to attend; Samuel Goffman, Deputy Branch Chief at the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT); and Chih-Cheng Meng, Chairman of Tainan Government Research, Development and Evaluation Commission, underscoring the event’s strong ties to both local and international partners. In their opening remarks, speakers praised the young changemakers for stepping up to create meaningful solutions for a better future.
 
All pitches and presentations were conducted in English, reinforcing the international character of the event. In addition to the competition, the event featured “Hult Talks” from alumni startups including Breer, a Hong Kong-based sustainable beer company, and Fabreco, a former finalist from National Chengchi University. These entrepreneurs shared insights into navigating early-stage growth and building purpose-driven businesses.


Blending Cross-Industry Innovation with Cultural Diversity
 
Participants also experienced a cultural program on the evening of the first day, where organizers hosted a "Cultural Night" showcasing local Tainan cuisine, a traditional lion dance, and an eye-catching face-changing performance, demonstrating how Taiwan’s diverse heritage intersects with its modern innovation landscape.
 
The competition’s success underscores Taiwan’s increasing engagement with global innovation ecosystems and its ambition to cultivate the next generation of social entrepreneurs.
 
“And for us at NCKU, co-hosting this National Round is more than an honor. It is a reflection of our commitment to nurturing future leaders and taking an active role in shaping Taiwan’s sustainability journey. We believe that universities must not only educate, but lead by example.” said Dr. Ping-Sheng Wu, Senior Vice President of NCKU & Director of Atelier Future. The Hult Prize is recognized globally as the “Nobel Prize for Students,” encouraging young people to rethink the future through the lens of entrepreneurship and sustainability. As host of this milestone national competition, NCKU reaffirms its commitment to nurturing youth-led innovation and promoting global leadership.


As the host institution, NCKU is proud to support youth innovation and global engagement. The success of this national competition highlights Taiwan’s growing role in fostering impact-driven entrepreneurship.