A student team from BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT) has earned national recognition after winning the prestigious Hult Prize Bangladesh Nationals 2026 with an innovative circular fashion solution aimed at reducing denim waste and promoting sustainability in the apparel industry.
Team DenimRevive, comprising Jahidul Islam (Batch 221), Nazmul Hasan (Batch 221), and Al Shahriar Neerab (Batch 222) from BUFT’s Department of Textile Engineering, secured the National Champion title at the Hult Prize Bangladesh Nationals held at Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) on May 8, 2026.
The competition brought together 60 university teams from across the country, all presenting social enterprise ideas designed to address pressing global challenges.
The winning project focuses on transforming denim waste into sustainable, high-value products through a circular economy model. By repurposing textile waste generated by the fashion industry, DenimRevive seeks to reduce environmental impact while creating commercially viable and scalable solutions for the growing sustainable fashion market.
According to competition organizers, Team DenimRevive progressed through multiple rounds of evaluation before securing a place among the top eight finalists. Their innovative approach, strong business model, and commitment to environmental sustainability impressed the judging panel, ultimately earning them the championship title and a coveted “golden ticket” to the Hult Prize Digital Incubator.
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The Hult Prize, often referred to as the world’s largest student entrepreneurship competition, is a global platform that encourages young innovators to develop market-based solutions addressing social and environmental challenges.
Organized in partnership with the United Nations, the competition engages thousands of student entrepreneurs from more than 100 countries annually and offers pathways toward global incubation, mentorship, and investment opportunities.
As national champions, Team DenimRevive will now enter the Hult Prize Digital Incubator, where they will receive world-class mentorship, business development training, and access to international networks to further refine and scale their venture.
The incubator serves as a gateway to the next stages of the global competition, where top-performing startups compete for international recognition and the opportunity to secure significant funding for their ventures.
The achievement highlights BUFT’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship within Bangladesh’s textile and apparel education sector.
It also underscores the increasing role of young innovators in developing solutions that support the fashion industry’s transition toward more sustainable and circular production models.
Industry observers note that initiatives such as DenimRevive are particularly relevant for Bangladesh, one of the world’s leading apparel manufacturing nations, as global brands and consumers increasingly demand environmentally responsible production practices and waste reduction strategies.
With their national victory, Team DenimRevive will now represent both BUFT and Bangladesh on the international stage, carrying forward a vision of sustainable entrepreneurship rooted in innovation, environmental responsibility, and circular fashion.
