UNSW Founders Team triumphs at Global Hult Prize Summit
We are excited to share that UNSW's Hult Prize team has achieved a monumental victory, claiming 1st place at the prestigious Hult Prize Summit in Bangkok. Pikkl, a startup focused on decentralising diesel for farmers everywhere, captivated everyone's attention. Co-founded by scientist Jacinta May, and mechatronics student Nicolas De Matteis, this dynamic duo embodies collaboration and innovation. Read on to discover how they became a winning global team.
The Hult Prize is a prestigious global competition that challenges students worldwide to address pressing social issues through innovative and impactful ventures, with a $1 million USD prize to bring their ideas to life. This year, UNSW stood out with the highest number of applications from any university in Australia, with 29 teams and over 100 individuals vying to join the UNSW branch of the program. The final showcase, hosted by UNSW Founders and the Centre for Social Impact, saw 8 ambitious teams compete for $10,000 and the opportunity to advance to the regional summits in Bangkok, highlighting the event's competitive and prestigious nature.
The Hult Prize Summit in Bangkok provided teams with access to world-class resources and invaluable networking opportunities with industry leaders. Winning teams from these summits secure a coveted spot at the Global Accelerator in London, bringing them closer to the ultimate prize of $1 million USD.
Pikkl's success in Bangkok earned them a place among the top 16 teams out of 10,000 applicants worldwide, an incredible achievement that underscores the power of their vision. Their journey to the Hult Global Accelerator in London was made possible through funding from UNSW Global, highlighting the university's strong commitment to nurturing its entrepreneurial talent.
Finding a Better Way: The Idea Behind Pikkl
Pikkl's journey began with a simple observation. While watching his mother struggle with a diesel-powered pressure washer—plagued by inefficiency, unpleasant odours, and loud noise—Nicolas De Matteis had a pivotal thought: "Is there a better way to do this?" This question set Nicolas on a path to explore a more sustainable and efficient solution to create diesel. Meanwhile, Jacinta was diving deep into innovative research, creating unique intellectual property that it then became the foundation of their venture. Together, combining Jacinta's research findings with Nicolas's entrepreneurial skills honed in UNSW's Creative Entrepreneurship Undergrad Course, set out to turn their vision into reality. And so, Pikkl was born.
Hult Prize & PCF winners!
Following their success in Bangkok and their experience in London, Pikkl returned to Sydney and secured a spot in the top 10 finalists at the Peter Farrell Cup (PFC) 2024, UNSW's flagship student pitch competition. Where they won the Dean of Science Award, receiving $4,000 for their idea to make diesel differently.
Pikkl’s success in both the Hult Prize and Peter Farrell Cup (PFC) underscores the incredible opportunities UNSW offers to help students transform bold ideas into impactful ventures. As the leading entrepreneurial university in the Asia Pacific, UNSW supports innovation through different programs, workshops and accelerators, guiding individuals from curiosity to launching successful startups.
Whether you're exploring new ideas or ready to grow your venture, UNSW Founders offers the resources, mentorship, and community to help you succeed.
Do you have an idea that could create a positive impact on society?
The Hult Prize application round is open, and it’s your chance to take the stage. Join a global movement of changemakers and apply here.
