On 25 February 2026, Techno India University hosted the Hult Prize Local Competition, bringing together passionate student innovators on a platform dedicated to entrepreneurship and social impact. The event provided an opportunity for young minds to present startup ideas aimed at solving real-world challenges while aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Showcasing creativity, determination, and a strong sense of purpose, the competition highlighted how students are actively transforming innovative ideas into meaningful solutions for society.
Phase 1: The Preliminary Round
The competition began with an initial pool of 30 participating teams, each presenting startup ideas addressing global challenges across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, sustainability, and digital platforms. The preliminary round was evaluated by an expert judging panel comprising Mr. Abhrajit Saha and Mr. Somenath Chatterjee. The judges assessed each startup using a rigorous rubric that focused on the strength of the core idea, the capability of the founding team, business feasibility, structural innovation, and the overall effectiveness of the presentation. After careful evaluation and deliberation, twelve outstanding teams were shortlisted to advance to the final round.
Mentoring Session
To further strengthen the potential of the shortlisted startups, a dedicated mentoring session was conducted by Mr. Kunal Shaw prior to the finals. This intensive session was designed to guide the student founders in refining their business models, strengthening their go-to-market strategies, and improving their stage presence. The mentoring process played a crucial role in helping the teams sharpen their ideas and prepare confidently for the final pitch in front of an experienced jury.
Phase 2: The Finals & Judging Panel
The grand finale featured a distinguished panel of industry leaders, investors, and startup experts. The jury included Mr. Pitam Chatterjee, Founder of MyTwoCents ADVISORY and National Screening Evaluator for SIH 2025; Mr. Kaustav Majumdar, an expert working at the intersection of human behaviour and digital strategy with a focus on start-up incubation and experiential learning; Mr. Arun Kumar Mukherjee, a full-time investor with 18 years of experience in the Indian stock market and Co-Founder of TABP Snacks and Beverages, Filomilo, and Chaigram; and Mr. Raunak Mitra, Founder of InfluCon Digitals and an expert in digital influence and brand growth. With their diverse experience in business, investment, and strategy, the jury provided valuable insights while evaluating the finalists.
Final Results: The Podium
Winner: SoilGuard
The winning position was secured by SoilGuard, an agritech startup focused on combating severe farmland degradation. The solution provides an affordable bio-soil testing kit designed specifically for marginal farmers, complemented by a multilingual WhatsApp AI chatbot that delivers personalized regenerative farming guidance. The platform also integrates IoT-enabled smart soil sensors and drone monitoring to provide farmers with actionable insights for improving soil health and productivity.
1st Runner-Up: Cercle (EnzymeX Industries)
The First Runner-Up position was awarded to Cercle (EnzymeX Industries), a biotechnology-driven venture addressing the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases among young people. The startup developed an enzyme-activated, standardized Sulforaphane supplement derived from summer sunflower microgreens. By combining agricultural innovation with preventive healthcare, the solution aims to promote healthier lifestyles while creating new opportunities within the biotech and nutrition sectors.
2nd Runner-Up: SkillGrad
The Second Runner-Up position went to SkillGrad, a platform designed to bridge the gap between education and employment. SkillGrad provides students with paid, real-world micro-internships through an AI-powered skill intelligence platform that matches students with corporate projects. This model enables students to build professional portfolios, gain practical experience, and improve job readiness while earning an income.
The Top 12 Finalists
Fremn (Solvia)
Solvia is an AI-powered B2B SaaS platform designed specifically for educational institutions. It centralizes and automates routine queries from students, parents, and staff, significantly reducing administrative workloads and enabling institutions to provide faster and more inclusive support as they scale.
REVASTRA
REVASTRA is a circular textile platform that transforms the environmental threat of fast fashion into an economic opportunity. By combining community-led collection through women’s Self-Help Groups with AI-powered fabric sorting, the platform monetizes textile waste through curated thrift resale, upcycled products, and recycled fiber sales.
Trash2Tech (ScaleWaste)
Trash2Tech provides digital infrastructure to formalize India’s waste economy. The platform allows informal waste pickers to upload photos of collected materials for instant AI valuation and fair pricing while generating GPS-verified digital receipts that enable companies to purchase verified recycling credits.
TraceTru
TraceTru aims to build a “Trust Layer” for India’s dairy ecosystem. Using a blockchain-powered system, the platform integrates product authentication with instant smart contract payouts, eliminating intermediaries and reducing working capital cycles for rural dairy farmers.
EduAgent
EduAgent operates as an “Operating System for Student Life,” integrating verified housing, safe transportation, and trusted part-time job opportunities into one digital ecosystem. Through a campus ambassador network, the platform aims to make higher education more accessible and affordable for students.
AuraLife
AuraLife is a voice-first personal life operating system designed to combat digital fatigue. Acting as a calm and human-centric AI companion, it offers contextual support across education, health, and everyday routines while democratizing access to mentorship and mental wellness resources.
VitaNova (AceNova)
VitaNova is a clinical-grade voice intelligence platform focused on the early detection of Parkinson’s disease. By analyzing subtle speech patterns through self-supervised AI models, the technology can identify early neurological markers years before physical symptoms appear.
Mycélium Bioworks
Mycélium Bioworks is an organic microbial food-tech company that seeks to transform high-cost biotech manufacturing. Using a decentralized “Hub and Spoke” model, the venture converts unused properties into solar-powered micro-labs while creating employment opportunities for marginalized communities.
Cura (CURAA)
CURA functions as an integrated platform for pet owners that simplifies the logistics of pet parenting. Its smart subscription model bundles food, medication, grooming, and veterinary care into a single predictable monthly package supported by a proactive logistics system.
Conclusion
The Hult Prize Local Competition at Techno India University was more than just an event—it was a celebration of young minds daring to dream big and build boldly. The passion, confidence, and purpose displayed by the participating teams reflected a new generation of entrepreneurs committed to solving real-world problems with empathy and innovation. With expert guidance and rigorous evaluation, the competition became a transformative learning experience for all involved. As the winners move forward to the next stage of the Hult Prize journey, the university proudly applauds every participant who proved that meaningful change begins with courageous ideas.