Ajman University Reaches Historic Milestone in Global Student Entrepreneurship Competition

EcoStep becomes the first team in the University's history to qualify for the Hult Prize UAE National Finals with an innovative kinetic-energy charging solution

Ajman University Ajman University has reached a historic milestone in student entrepreneurship as EcoStep became the first team in the University's history to qualify for the Hult Prize UAE National Finals, advancing to the national stage of one of the world's largest and most prestigious student entrepreneurship competitions.

The team's innovation, Motion Charger, is a kinetic-energy phone case that converts everyday movement into renewable energy to provide supplementary charging for smartphones. Developed to address "battery anxiety" through a practical and sustainable solution, the concept progressed through multiple rounds of mentoring, business model development, pitch refinement, and rigorous evaluation before earning its place among the UAE's leading student startups.

The Hult Prize brings together more than 15,000 startups from over 120 countries and 2,000 universities each year, providing aspiring entrepreneurs with a global platform to transform innovative ideas into scalable ventures. The competition culminates in a global final where one winning team receives up to USD 1 million in funding to accelerate its business.

EcoStep's achievement follows the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Ajman University and the Hult Prize Foundation in April 2026, reinforcing the University's commitment to embedding entrepreneurship across education, research, and student life. The partnership creates new opportunities for students to access international mentorship, develop commercially viable ventures, and compete on one of the world's foremost innovation platforms.

Dr. Karim Seghir, Chancellor of Ajman University, said: "Innovation flourishes when students are empowered to transform bold ideas into real-world solutions. EcoStep's achievement reflects the entrepreneurial culture we are cultivating across Ajman University—one that encourages creativity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and purposeful innovation. Becoming the first team in our history to reach the Hult Prize UAE National Finals is a milestone that signals the growing strength of our innovation ecosystem and the global potential of our students."

EcoStep's journey has been guided by Ajman University's Hult Prize University Lead, Prof. Katerina Nicolopoulou, from the College of Business Adminstration, whose mentorship supported the team throughout every stage of the competition.

Hemika Kapoor, (Co-Founder & CFO) and Farah Zakut (Co-Founder & CMO) said: "This journey challenged us to think beyond developing an innovative product—it taught us how to build a venture with real potential to create impact. Malika Kapoor, (Co-Founder & CEO) and Yara Abdo (Co-Founder & CTO) said: Every stage pushed us to refine our idea, strengthen our business model, and grow as entrepreneurs. Bita Ishaq, (Co-Founder & COO), said: Representing Ajman University on the national stage is an incredible honor, and we're proud to show that our University's students can compete alongside the country's most promising innovators."

This milestone reflects Ajman University's growing momentum in entrepreneurship and innovation, reinforcing its commitment to preparing graduates who create solutions to global challenges while strengthening the University's position within the international entrepreneurship ecosystem.