Team Ecoverse bags Hult Prize at Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel

KATHMANDU: The Hult Prize at Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel announced 'Team Ecoverse' as the winner shortlisted for the 2022 Hult Prize $1 million challenge regional final round. Team Ecoverse is a startup impact enterprise founded by Shephalika Dhakal, Akash Paneru, Manisha Sharma Timalsina and Yuvaraj Chaudhary. Likewise, Team On-> Employment was awarded as first runner-up. The team comprises Anwit Pokharel, Sarvesh Pandey, Prayash Dahal and Mausam Bhurtel. Similarly, Team Sochai comprising Bibhushan Saakha, Ashutosh B. Rajan, Sagar Uprety and Bikraj Shrestha was announced second runner-up. The Grand Finale of Hult Prize at Kathmandu University was held at CV Raman Auditorium, on March 12. There were six finalists — The Bacterial Commando, Bridge Nepal, Team Sochai, Team Ecoverse, Team Aroma and On-> employment. More than 600 university and non-university participants participated in the Grand Finale of Hult Prize at Kathmandu University. In partnership with the United Nations Office of Partnerships, the Hult Prize Foundation organises the world’s largest startup programme aimed at social impact and offers a grand startup prize of US$1,000,000 awarded by President Bill Clinton at the United Nations Headquarters on an annual basis. Team Ecoverse has beaten the odds, outperforming a record number of programme participants who began the journey this past month. “It’s an amazing experience being selected for the next round and we truly believe our idea can and will change the world concerning landfill situation in the world,” said Shephalika Dhakal, captain of Team Ecoverse. The selected teams are now preparing for the next stage where they will compete with oncampus winners of other universities. This coming summer, they will pitch for a coveted spot in the Hult Prize Regional Summits. Hult Prize at Kathmandu University has a history of being a life-changing experience for attendees and bringing together a community of people with an outlook of changing the world through business. On the occasion, Campus Director, Rohan Makai Shrestha said, “We have successfully completed the Grand Finale of the Hult Prize at Kathmandu University. Hult Prize at Kathmandu University is not only a movement, it is a platform to connect university students with the market leaders. It is a global movement that has led students to learn entrepreneurial skills and make an impact in society through multiple learning opportunities, training, workshops, multi-disciplinary networking and entrepreneurship ideas. It is an inspiring movement that has encouraged university students to learn entrepreneurial and leadership skills by designing startups that solves pressing social issue and make an impact on society.” Events organised by KU students were open to all university students, industry professionals, academic leaders, and non-profit / government executives. Planned programming included professional networking mixers, social events, inspirational keynote speeches and workshops. The judges for the Grand Finale included Ravindra Sapkota, Executive Chairman & Scientific Director of Shikhar Biotech; Srijana Shakya Jyoti, Managing Director of Honda Car Syakar Trading Company; Khem Lakai, Founder/ CEO, Global Academy of Tourism and Hospitality Education; Suraj Raj Pandey, Founder CEO, Fibro Nepal; Ankita Jain, Assistant Editor, Wow Magazine; Faija Parween, Founder, Open Space Nepal; Adhip Poudyal, Co-founder and ED of KULLBAS; Kiran Timsina, Co-Founder, CTO of UG | Forbes 30 under 30 (2020): Class of Asia and JC Suman Krishna Shrestha, Business Development & Marketing Director, Pearson UK. Similalry, Er Balen Shah, Rapper, Music Composer, Engineer, Independent Candidate of Mayor of Kathmandu Municipality; Juna Mathema, Co-founder and Managing Director, Blitz Media, and Co-chair of Women Entrepreneurship Development at FNCCI; Aayusha Shrestha, Founder/ Designer, AAMO; and Ashesh Shrestha, Product Development and Test Rigs Engineer, Yatri Motorcycle, attended the event as special guests. Official magazine partner for the event was Business 360 while Mentee and Education Park was the education partner. READ ALSO:

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