Sixteen teams partake in Hult Prize AUS Challenge

Sixteen teams from American University of Sharjah (AUS) took part in the Hult Prize AUS Challenge held yesterday, November 27 on campus.

The Hult Prize is the largest global student challenge and start-up platform for social good. Hult Business School and family, in partnership with former U.S. President Bill Clinton, host this innovative platform to launch catalytic social ventures aiming to solve the planet’s most pressing challenges. Student teams compete around the world for a chance to secure USD$1,000,000 in funding to launch their start-ups.

The topic for this year is to build startups that have a positive impact on our planet with every dollar earned. The teams pitched their ideas to seven judges who were professionals from a wide variety of industries.

The winning idea was titled Eco-Pack. It is a unique, innovative packaging company that utilizes biodegradable seaweed as packaging material to reduce water wastage and the overuse of plastic products. The team consisted of:

• Adnan Elsousi, a senior majoring in industrial engineering
• Bashayer Almarzooqi, a senior majoring in computer engineering
• Salam Husami, a senior majoring in industrial engineering
• Yasmeen Abdelfatah, a senior majoring in industrial engineering

Speaking of their achievement, Elsousi said:

“During the session, the judges gave us great feedback to further develop our project. It was a great privilege to be part of the Hult Prize Challenge and we are very excited to compete in the next stage, the regional round to be held in Dubai in March 2020.”