Lakshmi Reddi Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer | nmsu.edu
Lakshmi Reddi Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer | nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University's Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship is hosting the Hult Prize Student Idea Pitch Competition on February 27. The event, organized in collaboration with the Mike Hunt Construction Sprints, will showcase four teams of civil engineering students presenting innovative solutions using construction technologies to address global challenges.
The Hult Prize is an international competition encouraging university students to create startups aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Known as the "Nobel Prize for students," it involves participants from over 120 countries, offering mentorship and funding opportunities. The winning team from NMSU will advance to the national competition in Boston, competing for a $1 million seed investment.
This year's NMSU competition is supported by the Mike Hunt Construction Sprints, an initiative named after Mike Hunt, vice chairman of Hunt Companies' board of directors. It equips civil engineering students with necessary resources and experiences to solve real-world problems through entrepreneurship.
During the event, Qianyun (Gloria) Zhang, an assistant professor in NMSU's civil engineering department, will receive the inaugural Aggie Construction Innovator of the Year Award. This award acknowledges faculty members who demonstrate exceptional leadership and creativity in construction.
A panel of experts will judge the competition: Alejandro Muñoz Mendieta from No Border Ventures; Frank Spencer III from Aztec Contractors, Inc.; Bill Smallwood from Petroleum Rx, LLC; and Daniel Jones from NMSU’s Arrowhead Center and Patient Signs. Their expertise spans venture investment, entrepreneurship, and construction.
Carlos Murguia, director of the Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship stated: "Providing civil engineering students with a robust platform to develop entrepreneurial skills and champion visionary solutions isn’t just about bridging the gap between academia and industry; it’s about empowering them to reimagine the future of construction."
The event offers insights into emerging trends in construction technology and allows attendees to engage with industry professionals while supporting student entrepreneurs. Admission is free but space is limited. Reservations can be made at https://lu.ma/28n08r67. For further details, contact Murguia at cmurguia@nmsu.edu.
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