By Ryan Attard, Managing Editor
In this time of COVID-19, when there is limited recourse and we are bound by technology, it is incredible to see the dedication and initiative of students who continue to devote their time to important causes. This is evident with the Hult Prize Foundation returning to Monash University for the “Food for Good” challenge. Students have the chance to pitch an idea about how to transform food into a vehicle for change.
The Hult Prize Foundation is one of the largest engines for the creation of startups with roots in the ideas of the world’s youth. In the past decade, the Foundation has given more than $50 million in capital and involved more than one million young people in the development of key ideas and innovations to resolve global issues. This has involved solutions to the climate crisis, refugee issues, the water crisis, and unemployment.
The Hult Prize this year involves students trying for a portion of $1,000,000 in funding to encourage and build viable food enterprises to curb hunger while strengthening communities, reduce unemployment, and increase incomes of our poorest communities. This is especially important when considering the outstanding issues faced by rural and third world communities who lack the technical skills and development to modernise and emerge out of poverty.
Monash’s participation has already been supported by startup educator Future Minds Network and international non-for-profit Thought For Food, not to mention the UN Office for Partnerships. Recently, they ran Startups in Food Networking Night with Future Forward to help university students explore careers in startups and social impact. Guests at the night included:
- Rebecca Scott, Co-Founder of STREAT
- Rinaldhy Oosterman, Head of Growth at BringMeHome
- Georgia Beattie, CEO of Bulla Park (Former CEO of Startup Victoria, Real Estate Australia and Corporate Ventures Australia)
- Simone Pianko, Founder of Borrow Cup
The Hult Prize reminds us of the power of young people and social entrepreneurs in resolving issues in the world. This was exemplified by Hult Prize at Monash’s Executive Director Nathaniel Diong:
I’m a strong believer that anyone can change the world. All you need to do is try. Whether you succeed or not doesn’t matter, it’s the choice that makes the difference. A choice to try even when all hope seems lost, to turn thought into action and action into traction. Every little action counts.
In this period of global instability, where we see society further divided and socio-economic gaps becoming larger, it is important now more than ever that our generation speaks out, that we give our ideas, and that we help our fellow human beings. The Hult Prize and its work in social entrepreneurship tries to harness our talents for the benefits of those in need with the objective of improving the world for all.
Do not miss the opportunity to be part of something life changing. To learn more, join the Hult Prize team, Nathaniel Diong, Riley Hodgson, Chavelle Liu, Henry Ye, Caryna Ha, at the Foodathon on 21 October 2020. More information can be found at this link.
