Hult Prize at NSYSU workshop on February 23rd, 2021
Hult Prize at NSYSU workshop on February 23rd, 2021
On February 23rd, 2021, the competing teams from NSYSU pitched their business models to Jessi Fu, the 2015 Hult Prize global champion. Future Fish, the winning team from campus competition in NSYSU comprises 4 people from distinct fields of study. Gary, a postgraduate student from IBMBA, college of management, is in charge of business operations. Lynn, a girl from Thailand, is responsible for contacting the fish farms. Bro, who majors in electrical engineering, will design the AI system used in the fish cages. Rong, who specializes in Marine Biotechnology and Resources will be tracking how the fish grows.
After their pitch, Jessi gave them feedback on how they should present themselves and their ideas. The most crucial step towards professionalism is to stop thinking of yourself as a student but as an entrepreneur. Investors are not interested in what you know, but what you can do. Jessi was glad to see their progress but was also direct in giving critique. She really wanted to see Future Fish in their optimal state at the regional summit.
The other team, Basic Chillies, encountered communication problems in their team and could not continue with their project. In the conversation between the team leader and Jessi, It was evident that the process of creating a startup is difficult. Only those who can take the risks and endure the hardships, otherwise, no one is able to be called as entrepreneurs. Jessi did not give them a definite answer whether they should continue or quit. But she reminded them of the spirit of entrepreneurship by saying that “An entrepreneur is the one who will always stand up once he/she has failed”.
Entrepreneurs are the pillars of society. They create jobs, establish industries, and bring wealth to the nation. Yet they also hold great responsibilities. The fair distribution of gains can uphold social justice, while greed and shortsightedness can cause industries to wither.
Social entrepreneurs are business people who think of the future, not just the future of their companies, but the future of generations to come and the future of the planet. No matter whether these startups eventually succeed or not, the most important mission of the Hult Prize will be accomplished if these ideals have been instilled in the minds of Future Fish, Basic Chillies and all the attendees from college of management, NSYSU, regardless of whether students keep continuing the competition or not.
