Route 360 Solutions Initiative was the first runner-up in the Hult Prize Japan National Competition, organized by the Hult Prize Japan in collaboration with Cotonobar in Sendai City, Japan, in April this year. Having competed with 18 teams and winning the campus edition of the competition at the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Beppu City, Route 360 Solutions Initiative further shines at the National edition, competing with teams from different universities across Japan.
Our Founder and CEO, Joseph Turay, and his partner from APU, Gifty Delbright Aggor, represented Route 360 Solutions Initiative. The competition was divided into two phases. In the first phase, the 12 teams were split into two groups, with teams in each group competing to make it into the top six to participate in the finals. In the first phase, Route 360 Solutions Initiative took first place and thus qualified to compete with five other teams in the finals.
In the finals, Route 360 Solutions Initiative competed with Afriplast from the Japan International University and three other unique startups from other universities. The competition was intense, but our innovation stood out, securing the first runner-up position, with Afriplast taking first place. Route 360 Solutions Initiative was awarded 100,000 Japanese yen, one of the three prizes awarded to the top three teams in the finals.
Joseph and Gifty were excited for the opportunity to represent the Route 360 Solutions Initiative and compete with young innovators from universities in a beautiful country like Japan. As a company, we appreciate Joseph and Gifty for representing the Route 360 Solutions Initiative and for standing out on the international stage.