Hult Prize 2026 Qualifiers Competition at the University of Windsor
Join the Office of Innovation, Innovation and Entrepreneurship as we co-host the Hult Prize 2026 Qualifiers Competition at the University of Windsor on Thursday, February 5, 2026.
Every year, the Hult Prize challenges students worldwide to turn bold ideas into impactful startups. It connects participants to a global network of changemakers from fellow student entrepreneurs to mentors and industry leaders all working toward one goal: earning a place in the Global Finals, where the top teams compete for $1 million in seed funding to make their vision a reality.
Whether you’re looking to take your existing startup to the next level or are inspired to build a brand new business, we invite you to participate.
How to register and apply
After confirming your eligibility for the Hult Prize 2026 Qualifiers Competition at UWindsor, you can:
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Check your email. Once you’ve registered, you’ll get an email from the Hult Prize team outlining the next steps — including access to the Hult Prize 2026 Competitors Guidebook and the portal where you’ll submit your application.
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Prepare for your qualifiers submissions early.
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Refer to the 2026 Competitors Guidebook for further guidelines about the qualifiers stage submissions.
Eligibility
Your team is eligible to compete in the Hult Prize 2026 OnCampus Qualifiers Competition at the University of Windsor if you meet the following criteria:
- All team members must be at least 18 years old as of February 28, 2026.
- All team members must currently be students enrolled in a degree-seeking program at any Canadian university or college.
- The team captain must be a current full-time or part-time student at the University of Windsor, studying at any higher education level — undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, or PhD/DPhil.
Team Composition
- Teams must consist of 2 to 4 members.
- At least one team member must be the team captain or a student enrolled at the University of Windsor.
- For more details about team formation, please refer to the Hult Prize | Terms & Conditions
Team’s University Representation
- Each team can represent only one university.
- If you register and compete at the University of Windsor Qualifiers Competition, you will represent the University of Windsor and may not change your university affiliation during the competition.
- Registered teams cannot compete in multiple local competitions or apply through the Open Application Qualifier Round hosted by other institutions.
Startup Ideas
- Startups from any industry are welcome and can be at any stage — from early-stage ideas to fully operational ventures.
- Non-profit organizations are not eligible to participate.
- All submissions must be the original work of the team.
- Your startup must align with at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Click here to learn more about SDGs.
Please refer to the Hult Prize’s Terms and Conditions for further information.
Thursday, February 5, 2026. Event details to be shared soon.
September 2026
For questions about the Hult Prize Competition, please reach out to Godswisdom Ogbonna, University of Windsor Hult Prize Director: ogbonnag@uwindsor.ca