Indian Institute of Management Jammu Hosts Hult Prize 2026 Campus Round-reg

Indian Institute of Management Jammu, executed the Hult Prize 2026 Campus Round, a globally acclaimed social entrepreneurship competition widely regarded as the “Nobel Prize for Students.” The event was inaugurated by Dr. Malaya Ranjan Mohapatra, Chairperson, International Relations, who emphasized the importance of innovation-driven social impact and sustainable entrepreneurship for the next generation of leaders.

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Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this year’s theme, Innovation that Drives Sustainable Transformation, encouraged student teams to conceptualize scalable solutions creating measurable social, environmental, and economic impact. The competition unfolded across three intensive rounds: an SDG-focused quiz, business idea evaluation, and the final Business Model Pitch, generating high levels of enthusiasm and participation across MBA, HAHM, and IPM cohorts.

The final round, held on 14 February 2026, showcased compelling presentations by shortlisted teams. Each team pitched innovative solutions designed to tackle real-world challenges while remaining financially and socially sustainable. 

The esteemed jury comprised Dr. Swati Rajendrakumar Khade, Founder & Chairperson, Beautiful Tomorrow Foundation; Dr. Rashi Taggar, Assistant Professor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University; and Shri Vishal Dev, Director – Sustainable Business, WWF India.

This year’s edition witnessed a diverse spectrum of solutions:

Team Spartans introduced Agriloop, a circular nutrition model that converts everyday food waste into affordable nutrition—simultaneously feeding children, generating income for farmers, and reducing food system inefficiencies. Team INDUSTRIX presented an AI-powered distributed manufacturing platform that transforms idle factory machines into a coordinated production grid, unlocking unused industrial capacity and enabling small workshops to operate at enterprise scale.

Team New Frontier showcased VoltNode, a decentralized solar energy sharing ecosystem leveraging IoT, AI, and blockchain to facilitate peer-to-peer microgrids and empower prosumers to trade surplus energy efficiently. Team Project Ushana proposed PCM-based roofing insulation solutions tailored for low-income households in and around Jammu, offering affordable thermal regulation and improved living conditions.

Team ONEBOTICS introduced a hardware-agnostic cognitive robot operating system described as “Android for Robots,” embedding a non-bypassable ethical layer with API-enabled integration to ensure safety and auditability across robotic mechanisms. Team Glass Estate developed a digital risk-intelligence and escrow platform integrating property verification, monitored fund flows, and fraud prevention mechanisms to safeguard real estate transactions. Team 4 PM Chai presented EcoBrick, a locally manufactured mycelium-based sustainable construction brick, targeting India’s growing green construction market with zero local competition. Team CigBrick introduced a low-carbon, non-fired brick made from plastic-rich cigarette butt waste, converting hazardous waste into durable, eco-friendly construction material.

Team The Usual Suspects pitched TerraPHA, a biodegradable bottle made from waste-based feedstock that returns safely to earth, eliminating reliance on virgin fossil-based plastics.

Team BioParali offered a circular bio-economy solution that converts crop residue into plastic alternatives, simultaneously reducing air pollution caused by stubble burning. Team Perceptron developed a model to convert fire-hazard pine needles into bio-coal briquettes, mitigating forest fires, generating rural employment (especially for women), and providing cost-effective industrial fuel. Team PSV proposed replacing plastic-based menstrual products with safe, scalable, bio-based alternatives, addressing health, environmental, and affordability concerns. Team Nexora presented a structured renewable-powered hydroponic farming model designed for scalable, resource-efficient agriculture.

The winning teams included:

• 1st Team PSV proposed replacing plastic-based menstrual products with safe, scalable, bio-based alternatives, addressing health, environmental, and affordability concerns.

• 2nd Team Nexora presented a structured renewable-powered hydroponic farming model designed for scalable, resource-efficient agriculture.

• 3rd Team ONEBOTICS introduced a hardware-agnostic cognitive robot operating system described as “Android for Robots,” embedding a non-bypassable ethical layer with API-enabled integration to ensure safety and auditability across robotic mechanisms.

The competition assessed each team on innovation, feasibility, SDG alignment, scalability, and disruptive potential, with winners advancing to the National Level Hult Prize, offering a global platform to scale their social ventures.

The event reaffirmed IIM Jammu’s commitment to fostering a global outlook, interdisciplinary thinking, and socially responsible leadership, further positioning the Institute as a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and impact-driven initiatives.