Frequently Asked Questions

This competition is open to all next gen startup founders. To be eligible, the team or startup must have at least one founding member who is a current tertiary student or a recent tertiary graduate (within the last five years). 

Category and Composition

Category 0 to 1: Pre-revenue teams/startups with novel 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 any person who is enrolled in a full-time polytechnic, undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD programme at a tertiary institute.
• “Alumni of less than 5 years” is defined as any person who has graduated at a tertiary institute from 31 March 2020 onwards.
• Persons who were previously enrolled full-time in a polytechnic, undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD program but dropped out between 31 March 2020 and 31 March 2025 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 any person who is enrolled in a full-time polytechnic, undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD programme at a tertiary institute.
• “Alumni of less than 5 years” is defined as any person who has graduated at a tertiary institute from 31 March 2020 onwards.
• Persons who were previously enrolled full-time in a polytechnic, undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD program but dropped out between 31 March 2020 and 31 March 2025 are also eligible to apply.
• There is no restriction on the number of members in a team or company

To apply, the following materials will be required for your application during the Preliminary Round. Failure to submit the materials online by the announced deadline will result in disqualification. 

• Complete an application form on the official platform.
• Executive Summary
  • Not more than 500 words, in pdf
  • File should be named in this format: Summary_TeamName.pdf
• Pitch Deck Presentation
  • Not more than 20 slides, in pdf
  • File should be named in this format: Presentation_TeamName.pdf
• Video presentation (Optional) 
  • This is encouraged but not required.
  • Video should be no longer than 5 minutes with preference for mp4.
  • File should be named in this format: Video_TeamName.mp4
• All submitted materials must be the original work of the participating team.

Stand to win the early-bird perks if you submit your application by 5 Mar 2025.

• 3 Lucky Early-Bird Teams
  Submit your application early for a chance to be one of three lucky teams to win an all-access pass to the LKYGBPC Grand Finals week in Singapore. This exclusive opportunity gives you unparallel access to Asia’s top innovators and leaders during the F1 Night Race week. For overseas startups, flights and accommodation will be covered.
• Top 3 Highest-Ranked Early-Bird Teams
  Even if you’re not selected as a finalist, your early application could still secure you a spot! The three highest-ranked Early Bird teams that do not make it to the Top 50 finalists will also win the same all-access pass.Flights and accommodation will be included for overseas startups.

Apply early to maximize your chances of being part of this exclusive experience!

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

Yes, winners will receive significant prizes, including cash awards, scholarships, and opportunities for mentorship with entrepreneurs and investors. There is also global recognition for the top teams.

Teams must fully participate in-person in LKYGBPC Finals: BLAZE week from 29 September 2025 – 2 October 2025. 

Failure to participate in any event during the competition may result in forfeiture of all prizes.

*Two members from the RVLT 50 will be eligible for sponsored airfare and accommodation trip to Singapore. Out of the two members, one member must be the main applicant.