Cianán Martin, Head of Marketing of UCD’s Investors & Entrepreneurs Society, writes about the Hult Prize National Finals in UCD.
In a landmark competition showcasing Ireland's brightest young entrepreneurial talent, Anaphero secured first place at the inaugural Hult Prize National Finals held at University College Dublin. Their pioneering wearable device, designed for the rapid detection of severe allergic reactions in children, earned them the top honour. The win put them ahead of the 16 other finalists from around the country, advancing their ambitions toward the prestigious Hult Prize Global Finals in London, with a potential $1 million in funding at stake.
Widely recognised as the world’s largest student-led social entrepreneurship competition, the Hult Prize offers young innovators a powerful platform to create scalable solutions for critical global issues. With over 200,000 annual participants, the competition is fiercely contested. Ireland’s inaugural hosting of the national finals has successfully highlighted the country's burgeoning entrepreneurial talent and its capacity to contribute significantly to global problem-solving.
The event was inspired by Sadhbh Wood from Bean Around, who shared her team's remarkable journey to a sixth-place finish in the previous year's global finals, demonstrating the potential of Irish entrepreneurship on the international stage and the Hult Prize Foundation’s mission to “Empower young people to solve the world's most pressing issues through social entrepreneurship”. Additionally, entrepreneur and podcaster Gary Fox captivated attendees with an insightful fireside chat, offering motivational advice and highlighting key entrepreneurial lessons.
By claiming victory, Anaphero has joined the elite top 60 startups from among 15,000 global participants, placing them in the top one percent of competitors. This achievement grants them access to the Hult Prize Accelerator Program, where they will refine their business model and strategy before competing for a space in the highly anticipated global finals at London's Tate Modern. A win there could unlock the transformative funding necessary to scale their innovative solution globally.
The Irish National Finals showcased sixteen student-led startups from leading universities across Ireland, including Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, University of Limerick, University College Galway, Munster Technological University, Institute of Art, Design and Technology, and University College Dublin. These teams tackled significant global issues aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Among the finalists were standout ventures Kepler, Reclaim Metals, Charge Eire, Sustainable Pioneers, SenseEye, and Anaphero, each demonstrating innovation and social responsibility.
While competition was robust, Anaphero’s solution uniquely impressed the judges with its immediate and practical impact. The wearable device effectively alerts caregivers at the very onset of anaphylactic shock, integrating advanced sensors for continuous monitoring of vital signs, GPS tracking, and wireless connectivity. Given the growing prevalence of severe food allergies affecting approximately 1 in 20 Irish children, the device represents a vital breakthrough.
The other five finalists also presented impactful solutions spanning various sectors. These included a digital marketplace for sustainable scrap metal trading, battery repurposing for clean energy storage, bicycle-generated energy systems, sustainable kelp farming initiatives, and AI-driven eye care services designed to improve global healthcare access.
Judges highlighted the remarkable creativity and commitment of participants, noting, "The ingenuity and passion displayed by these teams epitomise exactly what the Hult Prize represents - young entrepreneurs dedicated to tangible, global impact."
Special recognition was given to Artur Jegesi and the UCD Investors & Entrepreneurs Society team for their outstanding professionalism and passionate execution of the event.
Following the event, Raomal Perera issued an inspiring call to action: "Let’s keep the momentum going! Share the word in your universities, inspire more teams to join - and let’s make next year even bigger."
Students interested in entrepreneurship are encouraged to reach out to their university entrepreneurship societies to become involved in next year's Hult Prize competition.