Hult Prize
Pitched and demonstrated a venture idea at the on-campus finale.
Weaving the Future: Our Hemp Venture at the Hult Prize
At the Hult Prize on-campus finale, my team and I pitched and demonstrated a venture idea built around one question: can an old Nepali tradition become an answer for the future?
The Idea
The theme was alternative resources for the future. We chose hemp, or bhangro, a fibre Nepalis in the hills have woven by hand for generations to make ropes, cloth and bags.
Our venture focused on turning this traditional fibre into products people already love to buy, such as bags, caps and clothing, and connecting the craft of rural Nepal with modern buyers at home and abroad.
Why Hemp
- Culture: every piece carries a story of Nepali tradition and handmade skill.
- Sustainability: hemp needs far less water and land than cotton.
- Durability: it is stronger than cotton, antibacterial, and gets softer with use.
- Demand: hemp products are popular with tourists, young Nepalis and buyers overseas.
The Impact
At the heart of our pitch was employment. From farmers in the far-western hills to spinners, weavers, tailors and sellers, every step of the process creates work, much of it in communities that need it most.
Nepali product, Nepali pride: rich in value, low in cost.
We were also honest about the challenge: hemp cultivation is still restricted in Nepal, so our plan started with fibre and fabric products while the push for legal hemp continues.
What I Learned
The Hult Prize taught me that a strong business idea is not only about profit. It is about understanding people, respecting culture and being honest about the challenges. Researching hemp showed me how much potential is growing quietly in Nepal's own hills.