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Singapore start-up Stick ‘Em, founded by Adam Huh Dam and Chong Ing Kai, beat more than 15,000 teams from 130 countries to win the 2025 Hult Prize, often dubbed the “Nobel Prize for students.” The win, announced on 5 September at London’s Tate Modern, comes with US$1 million (S$1.28 million) in funding for their affordable robotics kit that uses chopsticks to teach children technology skills. The venture began in 2020, when Adam (then at SUTD) and Chong (then at SP, where he later graduated with a Diploma in Engineering with Business in 2023) teamed up with Tew Jing An and Chong Kai Jie to develop a low-cost kit that fosters problem-solving and creativity. Early prototypes were built with under $100 worth of 3D printing filament and electronics, tested by friends’ children, and even packed by family members. Stick ‘Em gained traction after winning the 2021 River HongBao Hackathon, sponsored by Mapletree, which later provided funding support. Today, the start-up has 14 members and operates out of SUTD and NUS, where the team refines lesson plans, manufactures building parts, and develops partnerships. Adam has since graduated from SUTD with honours, while Chong is completing his national service.

[The Straits Times]