Hult Prize 2026 Qualifiers Competition at the University of Windsor
Join the Office of Innovation, Innovation and Entrepreneurship as we host the Hult Prize 2026 Qualifiers Competition at the University of Windsor on:
February 6, 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.
Apply to Compete
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, December 31st, 2025 at 11:59 PM
How to register and apply
After confirming your eligibility for the Hult Prize 2026 Qualifiers Competition at UWindsor, you can:
Register to participate.
You don’t need to have your full business idea or pitch ready to register. Just fill in your team’s contact details – it’s quick and simple.
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.
Prepare for your qualifiers submissions early.
Refer to the 2026 Competitors Guidebook for further guidelines about the qualifiers stage submissions.
Submit your application by Monday, January 12th, 2025. *
Make sure to upload all three required documents:
Startup One Pager
Pitch Deck
4-minute Pitch Video
The Office of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Hult Prize team will follow up with all registered participants in January 2026 with information on next steps and updates about this year’s competition.
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:
Team Members’ Eligibility
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)https://sdgs.un.org/goals
Please refer to the Hult Prize’s Terms and Conditions for further information.
Info Sessions
Want to compete on the global stage? Join Kate Ramirez and the Hult Prize team at the University of Windsor, to learn about the application process, competition details, and how you can advance to the Global Finals
Session #1
Friday, November 14, 2025
10:00 - 11:30 AM EST
Venue: Room OBB20 Odette Building at the University of Windsor
Register for this event here.
Session #2 (Entrepreneurship/Networking Event)
Friday, November 28, 2025
5:00 - 6:30 PM EST
Venue: TBA
Session #3
Friday, January 30, 2026
5:00 - 6:30 PM EST
Virtual (Teams)
Competition Timeline
|
UWindsor Qualifiers Competition Applications Open |
Monday, October 20, 2025 |
|
UWindsor Qualifiers Competition Applications Deadline |
Wednesday, December 31st, 2025 at 11:59 PM |
|
UWindsor Qualifiers Competition |
Friday, February 6, 2026 |
|
Hult Prize Nationals Competition |
March 2026 – May 2026 |
|
Hult Prize Digital Incubator |
June 2026 – July 2026 |
|
Hult Prize Global Accelerator |
August 2026 |
|
Hult Prize Global Finals |
September 2026 |