Competition Information
The inaugural edition of the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) was held in 2002.
Named in honour of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister - who can be said to have developed the country’s defining business plan in pitching Singapore into the global spotlight - it was the first ever international business plan competition to be organised at theuniversity undergraduate level, targeting students from universities, colleges, and polytechnics world-wide.
In over two decades since, the competition, which is held every two years, has grown leaps and bounds: From just over 200 submissions from 74 tertiary institutions in 2002, to 1,000 submissions from 1,100 universities in 2023.
Today, the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) is a a recognised beacon of excellence in global youth innovation. As one of the world’s largest deep-tech university startup challenges, hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors in the global innovation ecosystem converge in Singapore for an exciting week of live pitches, networking, mentorship and learning.
Beyond the competition, the platform has become a launchpad for a rising tide of alumni who are continually innovating to make the world a better place.
Key Dates
APPLICATION | JAN - MAR 2025
Register yourself or in a team for the Beta or Infinity category.
LOCAL & GLOBAL ROADSHOWS | JAN - MAR 2025
Meet us as we embark on global roadshows to uncover and connect with visionary founders!
PRELIMINARY SCREENING | APR 2025
150 top teams will be shortlisted.
QUALIFIERS | MAY - JUN 2025
50 finalist teams - called the RVLT (Revolution) teams - will be chosen by an international judging panel.
DEEPENING | JUN -AUG 2025
Through mentoring, networking, and learning, the RVLT 50 teams will gain valuable knowledge.
BLAZE | SEP - OCT 2025
1-week innovation festival and immersion programme in Singapore, where RVTL50 teams will refine their pitch for the category finals.
GRAND FINALS | OCT 2025
The Grand Finalists will pitch 'live' to a panel of judges to vie for the top prize for the two categories.
Categories
Categories 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 2025.
- 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
Categories 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
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!
