Kughanya A/P Kumaran, a Mass Communication student from INTI International College Penang, has won the Business Idea category at UH FLARE 2025, an international entrepreneurship showcase hosted by the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom.
Held annually, UH FLARE brings together young innovators from around the world to present business ideas rooted in sustainability, creativity, and real-world impact. Only five finalists were shortlisted in this year’s Business Idea category, underscoring the event’s global competitiveness.
Kughanya A/P Kumaran returns to Malaysia carrying the Malaysian flag and her UH FLARE 2025 trophy, welcomed at the airport by her proud family after winning the international business pitch competition in the UK.
Kughanya’s winning idea, CAFERT™, is an organic fertiliser developed from recycled coffee grounds. Produced through a 72-hour bioconversion process, CAFERT™ offers a cleaner, non-toxic alternative to chemical fertilisers—addressing environmental degradation while supporting healthier soils and food production.
“In Malaysia, tons of coffee waste are discarded daily, contributing to pollution,” said Kughanya. “At the same time, chemical fertilisers are damaging our soil and waterways. My product provides a clean, non-toxic solution that supports circular agriculture.”
She prepared the pitch entirely on her own, managing every aspect from research and prototype development to presentation. Being selected as a finalist and flying to the UK marked a turning point.
“It was the emotional release of three months of sleepless nights and determination,” she recalled. “Getting selected felt like a dream come true.”
At the final pitch in Hatfield, her confidence and the clarity of her concept stood out. Judges praised CAFERT™ for its eco-friendly innovation and expressed interest in exploring its potential in the UK market.
“The feedback gave me even more confidence in my idea’s potential to go global,” she said. “This win has transformed my mindset. I now believe I can be a global entrepreneur and a voice for sustainability.”
While the competition effort was solo, INTI International College Penang supported Kughanya’s journey by assisting with travel arrangements. She also received mentorship from Mohamad Hafiz Md Shaaridan, a lecturer from the School of Business. The University of Hertfordshire arranged accommodation in the UK with support from Christine Gan, Dean of the School of Business at INTI Penang.
She is now taking steps to register CAFERT™ as a formal business. Plans are underway to launch an app, open an online store, and collaborate with sustainable farms—scaling the product for both Malaysian and international markets.
Kughanya A/P Kumaran, a Mass Communication student from INTI International College Penang, receives the Business Idea Award for her sustainable innovation, CAFERT™, from a University of Hertfordshire representative during UH FLARE 2025 in the UK.
“Kughanya is bold, determined, and purpose-driven. She represents a new generation of changemakers who are deeply committed to building a sustainable future,” said Hemalatha Murugiah, Chief Executive of INTI International College Penang. “We are incredibly proud of her success and the global impact she is beginning to make.”
To aspiring student entrepreneurs, Kughanya offered this advice:
“Success takes sacrifice, belief, and hard work. If you truly believe in your idea, fight for it. Stay original and focused, even if you have to stand alone.”