Rhodes University Revives the Hult Prize Competition with a Dynamic On-Campus Finale

The Hult Prize is the world’s largest student social entrepreneurship competition, challenging university teams to develop innovative, impact-driven business solutions to pressing global issues. Through on-campus, regional, and global rounds, students compete to advance and ultimately access USD 1 million in seed funding to launch their ventures internationally. The initiative aligns strongly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, positioning entrepreneurship as a powerful vehicle for sustainable social impact.

On Friday, 27 February, the Rhodes University community witnessed an inspiring showcase of social entrepreneurship and bold problem-solving as student teams competed in the Hult Prize On-Campus Finals. The event marked not only the culmination of weeks of ideation and refinement but also a significant milestone in the University’s entrepreneurial journey.

This year’s competition carried added significance for Rhodes University. The Hult Prize initiative had not been active at the institution for several years, and its revival by the Career Centre in the second semester of 2025 marked a renewed commitment to cultivating student innovation and global competitiveness. The 2026 On-Campus Finals were the first competition to be held since the programme’s revival, making the event both a celebration and a new beginning.

Reflecting on the milestone, Thobani Mesani, Student Entrepreneurship Programme Coordinator at the Career Centre, emphasised the deeper meaning behind the moment. He noted that the return of the Hult Prize to Rhodes University signals more than the revival of a competition; it represents the reawakening of a global stage for students’ ideas. He added that it affirms Rhodes entrepreneurs are ready to position themselves at the forefront of impact-driven innovation and to compete confidently with the best in the world.

Taking top honours was Team MOFify. Paula Maseko delivered a compelling and technically grounded pitch on behalf of the team in the absence of her partner, Jan Du Plessis. Their innovative solution distinguished itself within a highly competitive field of participants who had spent weeks validating ideas, refining business models, and stress-testing their strategies.

Second place was awarded to Clot.BIO, presented by Yamnkela Manana and Ilse De Vos, followed by NextGen Artisan Hub led by Akani Hlongwane and Okuhle Xhakaza in third place. The rankings were completed by ThesisFlow in fourth place, presented by Mawuko Gyan in the absence of Wisdom Kojo Gyan; fre-energy in fifth, presented by Chuma Modze and Tsebang Matlapeng; and ibreedr in sixth, presented by Kemoratile Klaas Ntsumbedzeni Tshikovhi and Motheo Tshabalala.

The teams represented a broad cross-section of the Rhodes community and demonstrated remarkable grit and intellectual courage. Transforming an idea into a viable, for-profit social enterprise model and presenting it before a panel of judges is no small undertaking. Judges commended participants for their dedication and emphasised that the journey from concept to credible venture requires resilience, rigorous testing, and an openness to feedback.

Importantly, the judges stressed that the campus finals do not represent an endpoint but rather the beginning of a longer entrepreneurial path. Teams were encouraged to continue refining their models, validating assumptions in real-world environments, and embracing iteration as a core discipline of successful social enterprises.

As winners of the Rhodes University qualifiers, MOFify will now advance to the national stage of the competition taking place on 26–27 March 2026. This progression brings them one step closer to the global finals and the opportunity to compete for USD 1 million in seed funding.

Describing their venture, Paula Maseko explained:

“MOFify is a climate-smart enterprise that upcycles plastic waste into metal-organic framework adsorbents for point-of-use water purification. The startup provides affordable, 3D-printed hardware and replacement cartridges designed to remove organic contaminants and provide safe drinking water to households and communities.”

The diverse range of ideas presented, from digital inclusion platforms to sustainable resource management, underscored the competition's interdisciplinary and impact-driven nature. As the revived Hult Prize programme gains momentum at Rhodes University, the campus continues to strengthen its role as a hub for student leadership, innovation, and socially responsible entrepreneurship.

From local pitches to national and potentially global stages, this renewed chapter signals that Rhodes student entrepreneurs are ready to compete, collaborate, and create solutions that matter.