Hult Prize x Popple- A Startup Success Story!

From winning the OnCampus Hult Prize at BU to their arrival in Portugal to compete at the global level, Prianna Sharan and Remi Chester of Popple found startup success through the Hult Prize Competition, and they’re encouraging innovators like you to sign up for this year’s competition.

Prianna and Remi are the co-founders of Popple, an app designed to foster real-world connections by matching users based on shared interests. “We’re solving the loneliness problem, making it easier to meet new people and go to events together,” explained Prianna.

After launching the Popple app, Remi and Prianna began looking for ways to take their business to the next level and stumbled upon BU’s OnCampus division of the Hult Prize Competition. “It was incredible to learn they were coming directly to BU,” shared Remi. “One of our team members even helped organize the event, giving us a unique behind-the-scenes perspective.”

Prianna and Remi took the BU Hult Prize stage to pitch Popple and won first place overall, advancing them to the next round. Of the 20,000 teams involved in Hult Prize competitions globally, Popple was one of just 900 teams that advanced to the next level.

After Popple’s win, Prianna and Remi flew to Portugal for the Hult Prize Global Summit to pitch on the world stage and compete amongst like minded social impact entrepreneurs from around the globe.

“The international perspective was inspiring,” said Remi. “Our biggest takeaway was meeting people from all over the world, and witnessing diverse approaches to universal problems.”

Through their participation the Hult Prize Competition, Popple not only refined their social mission but also formed partnerships with other purpose-driven ventures. “It focused us more on community service and the nonprofit aspect,” Remi reflected. “We saw how connecting people can solve bigger issues and create significant impact.” Prianna and Remi learned a lot from the Hult Prize Competition, and emphasized that all founders should apply even if they aren’t sure about the process.

Prianna and Remi’s Advice for Applicants

Align with the SDGs: “Understand the UN Sustainability Goals that the Hult Prize emphasizes. It’s crucial for aligning your startup with meaningful impact,” advised Prianna.
Don’t Doubt Your Impact: Remi encourages every founder to apply, “We nearly didn’t apply, thinking we might not fit their requirements. But we took a shot and ended up winning. No matter your stage, pitching is always worth it.”

Whether you’re a student, social innovator, or just someone with a passion for change, the Hult Prize offers a platform for you to bring your ideas to life. Just ask Prianna and Remi, who gained a new perspective on their impact-driven venture and made meaningful connections along the way.

Ready to make a difference? Apply to this year’s BU OnCampus division of the Hult Prize Competition.

Want to register your startup for the BU Hult Prize Competition? Sign up for the competition here!

Just want to attend the event? Get a ticket here!