The 12th Edition of the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) is Coming to You on 6 Jan 2025!
There are multiple ways you can get involved!
Mr Lee Kuan Yew
First Prime Minister of Singapore
The Global Stage for University Startups
Inspired by one of the world’s most visionary leaders, the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) is one of the world’s largest deep-tech university startup challenges. Every two years, our pitch competition lights up a global stage for university startups to showcase their groundbreaking innovations and connect with the world, fueling their growth.
Powered by Singapore Management University’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SMU IIE), we have fostered a global youth innovation village and launched countless successful ventures solving real-world challenges since 2002.
Focus Areas
Carbon Tech
Solutions to capture, utilize, reduce, or store carbon dioxide, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and leverage data to optimize carbon management, ESG reporting and financing strategies.
Climate Tech
Climate tech utilises climate-resilient infrastructure to reduce emissions and support sustainable development.
Energy Transitions
Advancements in energy generation, storage, transmission, and distribution to facilitate the shift toward renewable sources to enhance grid resilience, optimize energy use, and ensure access to clean energy.
Food & Land Use
Innovative solutions promoting sustainable farming and alternative protein sources that enhance food security and minimise environmental impact.
Green Buildings & Constructions
Energy-efficient materials, smart technologies, and sustainable designs that reduce resource consumption and emissions.
Homeland Security
Advanced surveillance, AI, and cybersecurity solutions that strengthen national resilience and enhance rapid-response capabilities by safeguarding critical infrastructure and public spaces.
Public Health
Digital health, AI and other tech solutions that boost patient outcomes and enhance healthcare access, preventive care and overall community wellness.
Sustainable Materials & Circularity
Innovative materials and recycling technologies that promote renewable resources, extend product life cycles, and reduce waste, enabling closed-loop systems.
Transport & Logistics
Smarter transport networks based on EV infrastructure and mobility optimisation that optimise efficiency, reduce emissions and streamline logistics operations.
Urban Mobility Solutions
Urban mobility technologies such as autonomous vehicles and AI serve to optimise traffic, reduce congestion, and lower carbon emissions.
Water Solutions
Innovations in purification, harness real-time monitoring and AI-driven analytics to ensure access to clean water, optimise water usage, detect leaks, and minimise waste.
Emerging Tech
Advances in science and technologies addressing urban solutions and sustainability that ultimately have a positive impact on people, health, environment and the planet.
Prizes
Lee Kuan Yew Beta Prize
S$100,000
Cash Prize
Lee Kuan Yew Infinity Prize
S$100,000
Cash Prize
SMU Chancellor Prize
S$150,000
In-Kind Prize
Best Professor-Student Team Prize
S$20,000
Cash Prize
People's Choice Award (Beta Category)
S$10,000
Cash Prize
People's Choice Award (Infinity Category)
S$10,000
Cash Prize
Steering Committee from the 11th LKYGBPC
Shirley Wong
Chairperson
11th LKYGBPC
Annie Koh
Senior Academic Advisor
SMU Business Families Institute
Howie Lau
Managing Partner
NCS Group
Lim Sau Hoong
Founder
10AM Communications
Ngiam Shih Chun
Chief Executive
Energy Market Authority (EMA)
Jacqueline Poh
Managing Director
Economic Development Board
Mukund Srindhar
Senior Partner
McKinsey Singapore
Tan Cher Heng
Executive Director
Centre for Healthcare Innovation
Raj Thampuran
Managing Director, Technology & Research
Surbana Jurong
Hau Koh Foo
Director
SMU Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Mentors from the 11th LKYGBPC
Charles Koh
Chief Digital Officer
Sembcorp Industries
Elaine Heng
CEO, Retail Business & Deputy Group CEO
FairPrice Group
Hwang Yu-Ning
CEO
National Parks Board
Jan Lim
Country Leader, Marketplace
Amazon Singapore
Jeremy Goon
Chief Sustainability Officer
Wilmar International Limited
Kheng Nam Lee
Deputy Chairman
Vertex Venture Holdings Ltd
Sugandhi Matta
Chief Impact Officer
abc Impact
Tan Bin Ru
President, Enterprise Digital
ST Engineering
Judges from the 12th LKYGBPC
Mario FERNANDEZ
Head of Catalyst
Breakthrough Energy, US
Co-Founder and General Partner
Convergent Ventures, US
Partner
KPCB, China
Daniel TAY
VP
Emerging Technologies, Temasek, SG
Prof. Shlomo MAGDASSI
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
Prof. Paul DAVIDSON
UIUC, US
12th LKYGBPC Faculty Communication Advisory
Mark Chong
Senior Lecturer of Communication Management
SMU LKCSB
Tracy Loh
Professor of Communication Management
SMU LKCSB
Alumni Spotlight
Carbon Bio-Utilisation Pioneer Eyes Asian Success with Climate Oil Products
Published onGerman-based startup COLIPI'S Maximilian Webers is hoping to extend its European success to the Asian market.
US Startup Alumnus Returns to Singapore Pitch Competition as North America “Ambassador”
Published onPranjal Sheth was so inspired by his participation in the competition he's now championing the 2025 edition among American student startups.
11th LKYGBPC Statistics
As Featured On
Get Involved
Join us for the next edition of the world’s most exciting university startup challenge!
Register your interest to get involved!
As a STARTUP
Join our global community of innovators and win prizes!
Be a MENTOR
Share your wisdom to make a difference.
As a JUDGE
Your expertise matters in shaping the future.
Be a SPONSOR
Invest in the potential of tomorrow.
Be a Partner
Grow this competition with us for the next gen.
NOMINATE a Startup
Help us find the next big unicorn!
