VayuDrishti, a startup from Nepal, has been selected among the top 20 finalists in the global Hult Prize competition, chosen from over 15,000 entries worldwide. The team will now compete in the final round in London for a chance to win the $1m grand prize. The Hult Prize, now in its 16th year, is one of the world’s largest student startup competitions, engaging more than 200,000 students from over 130 countries. It aims to support entrepreneurial solutions to pressing global challenges.

VayuDrishti has developed a patent-pending device that integrates air quality monitoring, purification, and AI-based pollution forecasting. The device is intended to offer an accessible and scalable approach to air pollution management and public health protection. The team is led by 19-year-old Shakriya Pandey of Saraswati Multiple Campus, along with team captain Shrisha Pandey and member Manjila Pandey. Their selection marks a significant milestone for Nepal in international student-led innovation competitions.