Nelson Mandela University Hult Prize 2026 Campus Report
Introduction
The Hult Prize 2026 Campus Program at Nelson Mandela University (NMU) successfully brought together student entrepreneurs from different faculties and backgrounds to showcase innovative business ideas aimed at solving pressing social, environmental, and economic challenges.
As Campus Director, the competition created a platform for young innovators to pitch startup ideas, receive feedback from judges, and gain exposure to national and international entrepreneurial opportunities.
Startup Participation
A total of 29 startup teams registered for the Hult Prize 2026 process at Nelson Mandela University. These startups covered sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, sustainability, digital technology, waste management, and community development.
These startups demonstrated strong potential and addressed key challenges facing communities in South Africa.
Campus Competition and Judging
The local Hult Prize competition at NMU was supported by a panel of judges and experts who evaluated the startups based on innovation, feasibility, impact, scalability, and presentation quality.
The judging panel included:
•Philasande Khubheka
•Semono Chuene
•Zimasa Mbovane
The judges provided valuable insights and mentorship to the participating teams, helping them refine their business models and prepare for higher-level competitions.
Winning Startup
The winning startup from Nelson Mandela University was Black Clover, led by Zenzele Nhlakanipho Ndaba. The startup represented NMU at the Hult Prize South Africa National Competition held in Cape Town on 27 and 28 March 2026.
The national competition brought together winning teams from universities across South Africa to compete for the opportunity to advance further in the global Hult Prize journey.
Although Black Clover proudly represented Nelson Mandela University at nationals, the overall South African winner was Navu from Stellenbosch University.
Impact of the Hult Prize at NMU
The Hult Prize program at NMU continues to play an important role in promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership among students. It encourages students to think beyond the classroom and develop practical solutions that can create jobs, improve livelihoods, and contribute to sustainable development.
The 2026 competition demonstrated the growing interest in entrepreneurship among NMU students and highlighted the importance of creating more support systems, mentorship opportunities, and funding pathways for student-led startups. The Hult Prize 2026 Campus Competition at Nelson Mandela University was a success, with strong participation from student entrepreneurs and meaningful engagement from judges and stakeholders.
The competition not only identified promising startups such as Black Clover but also strengthened the entrepreneurial ecosystem at NMU. Going forward, there is an opportunity to increase the number of fully submitted applications, improve startup readiness, and provide more structured support to ensure that more NMU startups can compete successfully at national and international levels.