The Industry Collaboration and Innovation Incubation Center (CICII) at National Chengchi University (NCCU) recently hosted an online event to inspire students to participate in the Hult Prize competition. The event featured insights from Kimberly Chen, NCCU’s 2025 Hult Prize Campus Director, and Je Lu, a former Hult Prize winner and co-founder of UpRoot. Both speakers shared their experiences and provided actionable strategies on how students can leverage the competition to foster entrepreneurial growth and contribute to global change.

Kimberly Chen, a third-year Business Administration student at National Chengchi University (NCCU) and co-founder of FABRECO, shared her experience in the 2022 Hult Prize, detailing how the competition played a crucial role in launching her sustainability-driven startup. She underscored that the Hult Prize is more than just a competition—it serves as a powerful platform that enables students to address critical global challenges such as climate change and poverty.

Chen highlighted the competition's invaluable resources, including mentorship, networking opportunities, and ongoing support, which significantly shaped her entrepreneurial path. She encouraged students to seize this unique opportunity to bring their ideas to life, sharpen their entrepreneurial skills, and create a substantial social impact.

Je Lu, co-founder of UpRoot and former Hult Prize winner, shared his journey of turning an innovative idea into a successful business. He outlined essential strategies for excelling in the competition, such as building diverse teams, forming strategic partnerships, and employing effective marketing techniques. He also highlighted his collaboration with ASUS, which provided crucial funding and visibility, illustrating the transformative impact partnerships with established brands can have on student-led ventures.

Lu further emphasized the importance of the Hult Prize Global Accelerator, where his team and others refined their business models under the guidance of top-tier mentors. He encouraged students to align their ideas with global trends and focus on long-term sustainability, stressing that persistence, adaptability, and learning from failure are critical traits for entrepreneurial success.

Kristy Chang, a manager from NCCU’s Innovation and Incubation Center, concluded the event by encouraging students to fully utilize the university’s resources—such as workshops, co-working spaces, and mentorship programs—to bring their ideas to life. She reaffirmed that the event not only showcased the opportunities provided by the Hult Prize but also inspired students to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations with a focus on creating a global impact.