Following the sudden switch back to hybrid classes, I decided to come back home instead of staying at the hostel (YES, I’m one of those few people). Since coming back to Rawalpindi was rather unexpected, I decided to surprise all my friends here. So, the very next day, I dropped by at each of my best friends’ homes. When I reached my friend Jannat’s place though, I was the one who got surprised. She had gone to Mangla to her sister’s. Long story short, she did come back and we finally met after months. Since our friendship has always been off of mobile phones and the internet, we caught up with each other’s lives.
Catching Up with What We Missed Out On
I told Jannat that I had started writing for IBA Today. And told her how I had recently been selected as Director Marketing for the Hult Prize at IBA. That’s when she casually told me she had participated in the Hult Prize at her university, UET Peshawar, at the beginning of 2020. When I asked how did it go, she told me that her team made it to the top 6 teams in Islamabad Regionals, and when 1 of those 6 teams (BFreeze) won and moved on to the Global Accelerator Program, the other 5 teams were given a prize of 1 million rupees i.e. Rs. 200,000 for each team.
Jannat Noor – Student at UET Peshawar (third from left)
For a few seconds, I just looked at her with my mouth opened while she sat there, nonchalantly. You wouldn’t want to know the next few sentences that came out of my mouth! But after I calmed down, I asked her to tell me the story. And well, here it goes.
Hult Prize? Or an Opportunity to Visit a Best Friend!
Jannat was in her first semester at UET. Being new to the university, all she and her newly made friends wanted to do was take part in as many extra-curricular activities as possible. It wasn’t long before she made it into a few MTs of some events and that’s where a couple of seniors noticed her. They told her a little bit about Hult, how they were 2 people in the team with a good idea but needed a couple of more teammates who were good at public speaking. They told her that the regionals would be held in Karachi so that would be an extra perk, visiting another city on a university trip. Jannat, who was only thinking about the trip at that moment and a chance to visit me at IBA, immediately agreed. The first mock session of UET was the very next day.
The Events of the Whole Competition
Jannat and her friend had to quickly cover up all the basics. What was a pitch? How were they supposed to answer? Most importantly, what was this whole business idea they were presenting? Apparently, the motivation behind it all was the chance to visit Karachi. Winning the Hult Prize at UET was an extremely joyous moment.
Except, that it didn’t last long.
Hult Prize shifted the regionals to Islamabad. Instead of visiting a new city, she was now required to come back home. Around 50 + teams were there in the regionals. Lo and behold, Jannat’s team did make it to the top 6 teams, who were supposed to compete amongst themselves for the final winner. But, as the initial motivation had died out, they weren’t able to give their best in the final round.
Just after winner of the Hult Prize Islamabad Regionals 2020 was announced, the host also disclosed a prize of 1 million rupees for the other 5 teams. It was a moment full of surprise for the teams present there. However, since the prize is supposed to be the Seed Capital for the start-up presented only, the money went there. And since Jannat and her friend didn’t own the start-up, that’s where they parted with Hult Prize.
Key Takeaways?
Jannat might not have had her own idea. She was definitely not motivated enough to win this thing until the end.
But if you have always dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur. And if you have a brilliant idea that talks money and also works on the current challenge “Food for Good” yet only lacking the Capital to make your dream come true, then bring your team together & visit the Facebook Page of Hult Prize at IBA & Register yourselves!
Hurry up before the registrations close down, this is a chance to earn 1 million USD for your startup!
For staying up-to-date, you can also get connected to LinkedIn & Instagram. Or just comment down below if you have any queries!
9 thoughts on “My Best Friend Won 200,000 at Hult Prize!”
hahaha my anxiety attacks are getting published!! shit. This ‘turning point of my life’ experience was supposed to be the intro for my ted talk (lets assume its very soon) thank you for ruining that 🙂 but you definitely put the show better than me. Good job !! loved it.
I’m glad you like it xD Warna I know tumse koi cheez approve karaana kitna mushkil haiii!!
only afifa can say “my friend jannat, a useless piece of shit ended up doing this thing” and make it sound like praise
Only Zainab can leave such a comment xD
Hi Jannat, we are shortlisted for a presentation of our idea for Hult 2021 at IBA Karachi.
Would highly appreciate if you could assist us considering you have a good idea of what lays ahead.
Hey Shiraz,
I’ve talked to Jannat and also emailed you her contact. Kindly acknowledge if you’ve received it!
Yar! I was the other freshie participant with Jannat. It’s a good opportunity for both of us but we sort of blew it by not taking it seriously. Let me say this it’s a golden opportunity for the people who have a knack for entrepreneurship.
Afifa, you wrote the whole thing well.👏
It’s okayy, you guys can always participate again in the future; you’ll have an edge over other people for being a part of it before too!!
Thankyouu :’)