Team Fluxelle of Khwopa College of Engineering Wins Hult Prize Nepal 2026 National Finals

EDUCAST, Team Fluxelle from Khwopa College of Engineering, Bhaktapur, has emerged as the national champion of the Hult Prize Nepal 2026 National Finals. The event, held on Saturday at St. Xavier’s School in Jawalakhel, brought together 46 teams and more than 160 aspiring entrepreneurs from universities and colleges across Nepal to showcase business solutions addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges.

Team Fluxelle impressed a distinguished panel of judges with their innovative, circular economy-based concept: converting discarded coffee waste into edible and organic mushroom cultivation products. This sustainable initiative is designed to mitigate environmental pollution caused by coffee waste while simultaneously promoting eco-friendly food production and sustainable agriculture.

The winning team secured their title after navigating two competitive rounds, starting with a preliminary pitching session followed by a final evaluation that included detailed business presentations and intensive one-on-one discussions with the judges. The 14-member judging panel consisted of industry leaders and professionals, including Nikita Bajracharya (Dolma Impact Fund), Ritu Singh Vaidya (Vaidya’s Organization), Shraddha Shrestha (Ministry for Women, Children and Senior Citizens), Aashish Thakur (Glocal), Darshana Shrestha (FWEAN), and others including Chewan Rai, John B Park, Deepak KC, Ujjyol Raj Singh, Sareesha Shrestha, Pradip Sigdel, Abhinav Khemka, Sudarshan Subedi, and Sandeep Kamat.

The event was graced by high-level dignitaries who offered words of motivation to the participants. House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar, serving as the chief guest, encouraged young innovators to solve social and environmental challenges through entrepreneurship. Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan highlighted the importance of youth-led innovation in building Nepal’s future. Furthermore, Pratistha Thapa Rayamajhi of the British Council Nepal, Subi Kafle (National Advisor of Hult Prize Nepal), and Sneha Banshal (Director of American Language Center) all emphasized the importance of resilience, confidence, and the global opportunities available to Nepali students.

As the national champions, Team Fluxelle received a cash prize of NPR 100,000 presented by the British Council and hosted by UBA Solutions Nepal. They also secured NPR 50,000 in seed funding from the Confederation of Nepalese Industries Young Entrepreneurs Forum (CNIYEF), along with gift hampers, vouchers, and additional support. The competition was supported by various partners, including BYD, National Youth Entrepreneurs Forum, Nepal Italy Chamber of Commerce and Industry, American Learning Centre, Classic Tech, Draper Startup House, and Embark College.

The event’s reach was amplified by media partners including Jupiter Media, The Kathmandu Post, eKantipur, Edusanjal, Artha Sarokar, and Image Channel HD. Following this victory, Team Fluxelle will now travel to represent Nepal at the Hult Prize Global Accelerator Program later this year, where they will compete alongside top student entrepreneurs from around the world for a chance to scale their socially impactful business.