The EF Hult Prize judging guide

Written by Tadiwanashe Tracey Makamure

Last published at: September 16th, 2026

 

We are thrilled to have you join us in our mission to discover and support the world’s most promising social entrepreneurs. Your insights and expertise will play a crucial role in selecting student entrepreneurs who will take their ventures to the next level. In this guide, you'll find everything you need to know, from understanding the EF Hult Prize challenge to navigating the selection process, utilizing the scorecard, and following our Code of Conduct. Let's start here;

The EF Hult Prize challenge

We are more than a competition, we are a global movement empowering student entrepreneurs to solve the world’s most pressing challenges through impact-driven businesses. Since our inception, over 1 million student entrepreneurs from 150+ countries have participated, creating ventures aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Our challenge is unlimited, we dare students to think bigger than ever, learn more.

 
 

Your role as a judge

As a judge, you have the power to shape the future of social entrepreneurship by identifying the most promising ventures to advance to the next stage. Learn more about the role here.

 
 

Judges training

Judges training is available on the online judging portal that we use, Evalato. EF Hult Prize has developed a structured scorecard designed specifically for every stage. You should have already received your judge credentials, if you haven't please reach out to your judge facilitator. 

 
 

Expectations & selection framework

At EF Hult Prize, a high-potential startup stands out through disruptive innovation, scalable impact, and sustainability. As the competition progresses, there is a need to refine evaluations and gain deeper insights. To understand this process better please read more here.

 
 

EF Hult Prize Code of Conduct

The EF Hult Prize Code of Conduct ensures a fair, respectful, and ethical environment for all participants. It sets clear expectations for integrity and professionalism throughout the competition. Watch the video to learn why these guidelines are essential and how they directly impact the success of the judging process. It's a quick but crucial step that will help you navigate your role as a judge with clarity and responsibility.

 
 

Final preparation & staying connected

Now that you have this guide, you're ready to judge. With your understanding of the EF Hult Prize and our scorecard, you're equipped to evaluate with precision. We sincerely appreciate your dedication to this process. Staying connected with the EF Hult Prize community provides valuable opportunities for collaboration and insight exchange, helping you stay engaged with a network of innovators who are driving the change.

 
 

Resources

Coming soon

 
 

We’d love to hear about your startup nominations and your thoughts on the program. Your feedback will help us improve the experience for both experts and entrepreneurs in future cycles. The form will take no more than 2-4 minutes to complete.