From Campus Pitch to Global Stage: How Stick ’Em Went from Local Competitions to the 2025 Hult Prize Crown

When Stick ’Em walked off the stage as winners of the 2025 Hult Prize, they were not just holding a trophy. They were carrying the proof that big ideas can be born in small rooms and that the right support at the right time can launch students into the world spotlight.

Stick ’Em co-founders, Huh Dam Adam and Chong Ing Kai, receiving the 2025 Hult Prize

Stick ’Em, an education technology venture co-founded in 2021 by students and alumni from Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Singapore Polytechnic, and National University of Singapore (NUS), has clinched the top honour at the 2025 Global Hult Prize, earning US$1 million in seed funding. This achievement marks the first time a Singapore-based team has won the global finals of the Hult Prize.

Their journey did not start with the Hult Prize. It started locally in Singapore, including at a competition co-organized by JA Singapore and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Club of Singapore: the 15K Competition.

How the 15K Competition Began

The 15K traces its roots back to MIT’s legendary $100K Entrepreneurship Competition in Boston. In 2016, with MIT Club of Singapore’s support, the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) launched a local version: the “10K Competition.” MIT alumni mentored teams, and the MIT Club of Singapore put up the prize fund. From 2016 to 2019, it was a proving ground for bold student ideas. 

In 2020, Hau Yee Ng, Founder and Executive Director of JA Singapore, as well as President of the MIT Club at the time, pushed to expand the competition beyond SUTD. Connecting both organization's goals, she helped grow the contest into an inter-university challenge spanning SUTD, National University of Singapore (NUS), and Nanyang Technology University (NTU). Instead of separate events, they combined forces into one competition with $30,000 in prizes - $15K, $10K, and $5K, sponsored by a JA Singapore partner company. More companies later joined, and the prize pool was boosted, ensuring all six grand finalists walked away with seed funding.

Stick ’Em’s First Steps

Stick ’Em, comprising a team of students from SUTD, NUS and Singapore Polytechnic, entered the competition in 2021. They did not make the finals that year. But they came back in 2023 with new mentors, sharper ideas, and the grit to push further. This time, they made the Top 6 Grand Finalists, which became a turning point where they tested and refined their concept.

That stage experience mattered. They learned how to pitch under pressure, defend their ideas in front of innovators, and balance technical execution with real-world impact. The competition gave them exactly what JA Singapore and MIT Club designed it for: a launchpad.

“We are super proud to have played a small part in Stick ‘Em’s journey to their humongous achievement!” said Hau Yee Ng. “They are a great example of the characteristics of entrepreneurs that we teach, such as perseverance, grit, and resilience. JA provides meaningful opportunities for students to explore and challenge themselves beyond academics – building on their skillsets and personal growth.”

The team presented at multiple competitions locally and internationally to further develop the idea

Stick ’Em’s solution addresses gaps in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) education by combining affordable physical STEAM kits with a digital learning platform that empowers teachers to conduct their own classes.

The venture aims to make STEAM learning more accessible and affordable for schools worldwide, particularly those with limited resources. The startup’s model was judged on criteria including business scalability, effectiveness of the idea, sustainability, alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the team’s expertise. Learn more about Stick 'Em: https://stickem.sg/

From National Stage to Global Victory

Fast forward to 2025, and Stick ’Em did not just compete against peers in Singapore. They stood against the best student entrepreneurs on the planet. And they won.

The Hult Prize competition involved over 200,000 participants from 130 countries, nearly 2,000 universities, and more than 15,000 startup ideas. Stick ’Em advanced through national rounds, a Global Digital Incubator stage, and global finals judged by distinguished figures in venture capital and social entrepreneurship.

The Global Hult Prize, often called the “Nobel Prize for students,” is known for producing ventures that go on to change industries and communities. Stick ’Em’s victory is not just their triumph; it’s proof that Junior Achievement's ecosystem through collaborations like the 15K Competition is building ideas and empowering youth to compete and share solutions for global issues.

Why This Matters

Stick Em's co-founder, Huh Dam Adam, shares, "For us, that first year (participating in the 15K Competition) was all about testing our assumptions. The mentors we were matched with challenged our product‑market fit, finances and customer discovery, and gave us a crash course in early‑stage fundraising and go‑to‑market planning. We didn’t make it past the semi‑final, but the feedback was invaluable. We took those lessons to heart, iterated on the kit, and returned in 2023 with a stronger business model and a more polished pitch. Advancing to the Grand Finals that year was a testament to how much we’d grown. Our mentors continued to push us to refine our story and think bigger, and the networking opportunities with other teams and judges were equally rewarding. These experiences played a big part in shaping Stick ’Em’s journey, right up to the Hult Prize win."

The Stick ’Em story is proof that early competitions matter. Exposure, mentorship, and the pressure to think bigger do not just prepare students for one pitch. They prepare them for the long game.

And it all starts with taking that first step to register for a local competition.

Ready to Take the Stage?

“Stick ’Em’s journey including the JA Singapore 15K Competition to the global Hult Prize crown is personally inspiring and shows what is possible when young people are in places where they can test their ideas, learn from others, and believe in the power of their own potential. At JA, we are here to help young people unlock their boundless potential, supporting millions of young people across Asia Pacific each year develop the skillset and mindset to not only build their own futures, but also to become a global force for good,” said Adnan Bokhari, Interim President and CEO of JA Asia Pacific.

Junior Achievement offers various programs in financial health, entrepreneurship and work readiness. Most programs prepare students for some form of competition with prizes, mentorship, visibility, and the chance to join the next wave of innovators.

Stick ’Em took their shot. They started with local competitions in Singapore. And they ended up with the Global Hult Prize. What about you?

Find out more about JA programs and competitions available in your locality: www.jaasiapacific.org