Competition Information

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The Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) is a biennial university startup challenge in Singapore which is organised by the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) at Singapore Management University.

The LKYGBPC derives its name from Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, who developed the country’s defining business plan bringing Singapore onto the global stage. It is this spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation and ambition that the competition enshrines.

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Themed “Innovations Beyond Boundaries”, the 11th edition of the LKYGBPC brings together the brightest minds from the world’s most entrepreneurial universities to address the challenges of the 21st century and reimagine a smart, sustainable and resilient future. 

Areas of Focus

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Urban Solutions and Sustainability

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Manufacturing, Trade & Connectivity

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Human Health & Potential

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Smart Nation & Digital Economy

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Media & Entertainment

Prizes

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Lee Kuan Yew Beta Prize
S$100,000
Cash Prize

Lee Kuan Yew Infinity Prize
S$100,000
Cash Prize

SMU Chancellor Cup
S$150,000
In-Kind Prize

Wavemaker Sustainability Investment Prize 
up to S$300,000 
Investment Prize 

YIT Haina Innovation Prize
S$200,000
Cash & In-Kind Prize

PUB Water Technology Innovation Award
up to S$250,000
Deployment Prize

Kajima Innovation Award
S$100,000
Cash Prize

Zhang Fan Global AI Initiative Award
S$100,000
Cash Prize

INTA Foundation Social Innovation Prize
US$24,000
Cash Prize for 2 Winners

APRW Public Relations Resource Prize 
S$100,000
Professional Service Prize  

NSCC Supercomputing Resource Prize
S$83,200
Professional Service Prize 

Maybank Young Entrepreneurship Shield
S$75,000
Cash Prize

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Sembcorp Greennovation Award
S$100,000
Cash Prize

Lee & Lee Legal Resource Prize
S$61,200
Professional Service Prize

The Maybank ASEAN Startup Award
S$25,000
For the Top 15 ASEAN Startups

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

Key Dates

Rules

  • Each team or startup must have at least founding member or founder, who is a current student or recent alumni of less than 5 years.
  • “Current student” is defined as someone who is currently enrolled full-time in a polytechnic, undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD program at a tertiary institution as of 31 March 2023. Individuals who were previously enrolled full-time in any of the aforementioned programs, but have dropped out between 31st March 2018 and 31st March 2023, are also eligible to apply.
  • There is no restriction on the number of members in a team or company.

INVESTABILITY

Teams will be evaluated based on the following:

  • Innovativeness
  • Commercial Feasibility
  • Impact of Idea
  • Capability to Execute

Teams will need to register, fill in the online form and submit the following:

  • Executive Summary of not more than 500 words
  • Pitch Deck of no more than 20 slides
  • Optional: A video presentation not more than 5-min

Categories

Category 0 to 1
Pre-revenue teams with disruptive technology or business model innovations 

  • Technology innovations that have emerged from academic research with commercialisation opportunities that may or may not be fully validated
  • Innovative business models that may or may not be fully validated
  • Team is in initial phases of ideation up to having a minimum viable product (MVP) that has yet to be launched in the market
  • Each team / startup must have at least founding member / founder, who is a current student or recent alumni of less than 5 years.
  • “Current student” is defined as someone who is currently enrolled full-time in a polytechnic, undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD program at a tertiary institution as of 31 March 2023. Individuals who were previously enrolled full-time in any of the aforementioned programs, but have dropped out between 31st March 2018 and 31st March 2023, are also eligible to apply.
  • There is no restriction on the number of members in a team or company

Category 1 to Infinity 
Revenue-generating early stage start-ups, up to Series A

  • Startup is in phases of initial sales or looking to scale
  • Typically, product or service has launched in the market, and is seeking their next customer(s) and/or to enter a new market
  • Each team / startup must have at least founding member / founder, who is a current student or recent alumni of less than 5 years.
  • “Current student” is defined as someone who is currently enrolled full-time in a polytechnic, undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD program at a tertiary institution as of 31 March 2023. Individuals who were previously enrolled full-time in any of the aforementioned programs, but have dropped out between 31st March 2018 and 31st March 2023, are also eligible to apply.
  • There is no restriction on the number of members in a team or company

Frequently Asked Questions

Need help? Find out the answers to some of our commonly asked questions.​

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!