Mexico City; July 15, 2026.—The Universidad PanamericanaMexico City campus hosted the Hult Prize Nationals Mexico 2026, one of the world’s most important college social entrepreneurship competitions, recognized as the “Nobel Prize for Students.”
The event brought together dozens of teams from various universities across the country, which presented innovative solutions to address global challenges with a social impact, with the goal of representing Mexico in the next international round and competing for $1 million in seed funding.
Opening Doors to Opportunities with Global Impact
True to its mission of promoting continuous improvement among students, the SMART Center played a strategic role in supporting and facilitating the Hult Prize’s arrival at the university. More than just hosting a competition, this initiative represents an opportunity for students to develop impactful projects, expand their collaborative networks, and gain experience in international competitive settings.
Through initiatives like this, the Universidad Panamericana strengthens the link between academic education and major global challenges, encouraging its students to participate in platforms with a global reach.
Comprehensive Support: The Human Factor Behind Success
For the SMART Center, participating in a competition with a million dollars at stake requires much more than just a good business idea; it demands strategic and solid personal preparation. For this reason, the center focuses on providing UP students with comprehensive support, equipping them with thesoft skills necessary to present their ideas to international juries. Among the most important of these are
- Communication and Presentation: Specialized training to craft persuasive, high-impact pitches, conveying ideas with clarity and leadership.
- Emotional Intelligence and Resilience: Tools for managing stress under pressure, enabling teams to stay focused and confident.
- High-Performance Teamwork: Strengthening group cohesion to perform confidently during rigorous question-and-answer (Q&A) sessions.
“Our goal at the SMART Center is the holistic development of our students. By opening the door to platforms like the Hult Prize, we prepare them from the inside out; we equip them with the confidence, leadership, and resilience they need to perform to the best of their ability and bring honor to UP.”
Innovation That Transforms: The Success of Chair-Out
Under the slogan “Where pitches become impact, ” the Mixcoac venue buzzed with activity during an intense few days in which dozens of brilliant minds presented solutions to the most pressing problems.
The highlight of the event came with the announcement of the grand prize winner: the Chair-Out project was crowned the winning team of the National Final by Tec de Monterrey’s Santa Fe campus. This innovative startup, dedicated to creating an affordable adapter that converts conventional wheelchairs into automatic ones, demonstrated the tremendous power of combining technology with a profound social impact on mobility and inclusion.
PANTERRA, a UP project, ranks among the best in the country
Universidad Panamericana 's Aguascalientes campus also had a standout performance through the PANTERRA project, which ranked among the top 10 teams at the 2026 Hult Prize Nationals Mexico.
This startup is developing a sustainable alternative to Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) used in the packaging industry, offering a solution with a lower environmental impact that is aligned with the principles of the circular economy.
Universidad Panamericana s Strengthens Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
By hosting the 2026 Hult Prize Nationals Mexico, the Universidad Panamericana consolidates its position as an institution that promotes entrepreneurship, innovation, and the development of leaders with a global perspective.
Through the work of the SMART Center, the University continues to create opportunities for students to develop high-performance skills, strengthen their leadership abilities, and turn ideas into projects with social impact, preparing them to compete on the most demanding international stages.
