The Hult Prize Accelerator at Ashridge Tomorrow’s changemakers take up the baton

This summer, over 150 student entrepreneurs arrived at Hult’s Ashridge campus for an intensive six-week accelerator program. Armed with ideas to change the world for the better, these ambitious students came from all over the globe to compete in the annual Hult Prize—the world’s biggest engine for the launch of social startups led by students. Just over a week ago, the finalists were announced. Hailing from the  International Islamic University Malaysia, the American University of Sharjah, the  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Oxford, University College London, and the University of Freiburg, six student teams are now on their way to New York to make their final pitches for the $1 million prize. The ancestral home of game changers and thought leaders It is particularly fitting that our historic Ashridge campus played host to this accelerator, bringing together the brightest young minds powering todays most crucial social change. For over 700 years, Ashridge has been a center of learning and home to some of the most powerful thinkers and figures in society through the ages. 42 student teams made the Ashridge castle their home for the summer, following in some very prestigious footsteps. The first era of Ashridge: The power of the Church Monks at Ashridge were sometimes known as blue friars. The history of Ashridge can be traced back to 1283 and the establishment of a monastic order known as the College of Bonhommes. Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, founded a monastery on the site to honor an  invaluable holy relic he had purchased on his travels in Germany: a vial said to be containing the blood of Jesus Christ. This holy site soon became a renown place of pilgrimage. Money raised from the donations of the visiting faithful allowed the order to purchase more land for the estate to grow, helping the monastery to flourish as a seat of learning and debate. The second era: The power of the Crown The English Reformation started under the reign of King Henry VIII. In the late 1530s, King Henry VIII dissolved all monastic orders in England as the sovereign broke away from the church in Rome. Ashridge became the property of the Tudor king, and it was turned it into a royal residence and hunting lodge. In 1550, he bequeathed Ashridge to his infant daughter, Princess Elizabeth, who would become Elizabeth I of England. Elizabeth spent part of her childhood at Ashridge and was arrested there by her sister Mary in 1554. The third era: The power of the nobility The fourth Earl (nicknamed ‘Scroop’) became the first Duke of Bridgewater. Following the death of Elizabeth I, Ashridge became a private residence. It was purchased by the Lord Chancellor, Thomas Egerton, who became the first Earl of Bridgewater. The estate was passed down through generations as the seat of the Bridgewaters. In the early 19th century, Ashridge house was rebuilt in the gothic revival style, turning the impressive building into the castle as it’s known today. It was thanks to the forward-thinking, industrious son of the fourth Earl that the wealth of the estate continued to grow. Known as the â€Å"Canal Duke,† he established the first of such modern waterways in Britain to transport goods during the industrial revolution. The fourth era: The power of the politicians Andrew Bonar Law served as U.K. Prime Minister before his death in 1923. Throughout the 19th and into the 20th century, the good and the great of the day were entertained at Ashridge House, including writers, diplomats, and the political elite. In 1928, the house was purchased by a former Member of Parliament, Urban Hanlon Broughton, for use as a training center for the  British Conservative Party. Broughton established the center  in memory of the late statesman,  Andrew Bonar Law. As well as serving as a base of thought leadership for the party, the house briefly served as an emergency hospital during World War II. The fifth era: The power of the executives The Management College at Ashridge was originally established to provide training to top executives. In 1959, the house became the home of Ashridge Business School, pioneering corporate management training. For over 50 years, executive education at Ashridge earned an international reputation for excellence,  contributing to the success of thousands of business leaders and working with organizations like Unilever, Shell, and Guinness. In 2015, Ashridge Business School operationally merged with  Hult International Business School  and continues to deliver future-focused training to the business leaders of today and tomorrow. Today: The power of the social entrepreneurs Undergraduate team Enpov were among the student entrepreneurs at the Hult Prize Accelerator at Ashridge. Ashridge has long been an advocate for the positive, transformative power of business in society. In fact, the  Ashridge Centre for Business and Sustainability was established in 1993, making Ashridge one of the earliest authorities on the pressing sustainability issues that face business—and global society—today. While continuing its cutting-edge research and training in the areas of leadership, sustainability, and corporate responsibility, its particularly appropriate that Ashridge is now the host of the Hult Prize Accelerator, providing a platform for the next wave of thinkers, social entrepreneurs, and game-changers in business and beyond. By looking back over the centuries at Ashridge, its possible to trace the evolution of global thought leadership. Within its own history, we see the democratization of power, knowledge, and change—from the church and the crown to the wealthy, and—ultimately—from the politicians and business leaders to socially-minded young people from all corners of the globe. Philip Auerswald, Chief Academic Officer of the Hult Prize, is gratefully  acknowledged for the creative conception of this article. To find out what happens  at this year’s 2018 Hult Prize Finals in New York City, follow  Hult International Business School  and the  Hult Prize Foundation  on Facebook. To learn how Hult takes students beyond business to shape tomorrow’s world,  download a brochure. Hult offers a range of highly skills-focused and employability-driven business school programs including a range of MBA options and a comprehensive one year Masters in International Business. To find out more, take a look at our blog Hult undergrads build their leadership skills: The Ashridge Cohort Experience. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to learn about the business world, the future, and yourself. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .