Ian Sikora is the Head of Startup Business Development for ASEAN at Amazon Web Services (AWS). He is passionate about fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of technology pioneers. Ian plays a key role in events like SLINGSHOT at SWITCH, where he helps showcase groundbreaking AI innovations.
Dr Joel Leong is the Director of Research and Analytics at Xora. He supports the investment team with thesis development, market landscaping, and due diligence. With over two decades of experience in applying AI to physical and life sciences, Joel has held senior roles in global companies and government research.
YONG Soo Ping is the Vice President at Walden International. With 26 years of venture capital experience, she has been involved in several successful exits, including Brandtology, JobStreet, and YFind. She focuses on the software, Internet, and digital consumer spaces in South Asia.
Best Professor-Student Team Prize
Collaboration between academia and entrepreneurship is key to solving today’s most pressing global challenges. The Best Professor-Student Team Prize, part of the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC), recognizes outstanding university teams driving urban solutions and sustainability innovations from research to real-world impact.
Best
Professor-Student
Team Prize
S$20,000
Who Is It For?
This prize is designed for:
- Professor-student teams working on cutting-edge solutions in climate tech, carbon tech, energy transitions, water solutions, food security, urban mobility, and sustainable materials.
- University spin-offs and research-based ventures focused on creating a greener, smarter, and more resilient future.
Academia-industry innovators looking to translate research into viable businesses that shape sustainable cities and communities
Why It Matters
Sustainable urban development requires breakthrough innovations backed by research. Many deep-tech solutions originate in universities but struggle to scale and commercialize. This prize provides the funding, recognition, and network to bridge academia and industry, ensuring sustainability-focused research drives real-world impact.
The Best Professor-Student Team Prize is more than just an award—it’s a catalyst for transformative research and sustainable innovation. Apply now and turn your academic insights into global solutions!
APRW Public Relations Resource Prize
Amplifying Innovation, Elevating Impact
Strategic PR & Communications Support for Game-Changing Startups
In today’s fast-paced innovation landscape, a powerful narrative can be the key to market leadership. The APRW PR Resource Prize, part of the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC), is designed to equip startups with strategic storytelling, brand positioning, and media engagement expertise to accelerate their growth and global visibility.
Resource Prize
S$100,000
Who Is It For?
This prize is designed for:
- Startups and university spin-offs seeking to refine their messaging, enhance brand credibility, and attract investors, media, and customers.
- Innovators in emerging tech, sustainability, public health, and urban solutions who need expert guidance in strategic communications.
- Founders looking to scale beyond borders with a strong digital presence and global PR strategy.
Why It Matters
A strong PR and communications strategy can be the difference between an idea that gets noticed and one that fades into the noise. The APRW PR Resource Prize empowers startups with the tools, insights, and networks needed to position themselves as industry leaders and scale their impact.
The APRW PR Resource Prize isn’t just an award—it’s your launchpad to global recognition. Apply now and let’s make your breakthrough heard!
Amplifying Innovation, Elevating Impact.
ENTERPRISE PARTNER
Founded in 1996, APRW is Singapore’s leading integrated communications agency, specializing in public relations, branding, and digital communications. As the exclusive Southeast Asia representative of IPREX, a global communications network, APRW helps its clients build credibility, enhance visibility, and scale internationally. Through the APRW PR Resource Prize, the agency empowers innovators with strategic storytelling and brand positioning to amplify their impact globally.
Read more about APRW
Lee & Lee Legal Resource Prize
The Lee & Lee Legal Resource Prize is designed to support startups navigating the complex legal landscape of entrepreneurship.This prize empowers founders by providing legal guidance, resources, and strategic counsel to help them scale their businesses while ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks.
Lee & Lee Legal Resource Prize
S$76,500
Who Is It For?
- Startups and university spin-offs looking to expand internationally and require legal structuring, IP protection, contracts, and regulatory guidance.
- Founders building deep-tech, urban solutions, urban mobility, sustainability, and emerging technology etc. that operate in regulated industries.
- Entrepreneurs who need expert legal resources to navigate fundraising, partnership agreements, and corporate governance.
Why It Matters
Legal complexities can be a significant barrier to growth for startups. From intellectual property protection to regulatory compliance, legal challenges can slow down innovation and deter investment. The Lee & Lee Legal Resource Prize provides startups with the legal knowledge and support necessary to build strong, scalable, and legally sound businesses.
The Lee & Lee Legal Resource Prize is more than just funding—it’s an opportunity to gain the legal foundation essential for long-term success. Apply now and take your startup to the next level with the right legal strategies in place.
ENTERPRISE PARTNER
Lee & Lee is one of Singapore’s leading law firms. From regulatory compliance and impact investment structuring to intellectual property protection, Lee & Lee's world class expertise empowers winners to build a strong foundation, scale their impact, and contribute to a thriving, sustainable urban future.
Read more about Lee & Lee
Climate Innovation Investment Prize
presented by TRIREC
Decarbonizing the Future, One Innovation at a Time
TRIREC, Singapore’s pioneering decarbonization-focused venture capital firm, is proud to sponsor the Climate Innovation Investment Prize, presented by TRIREC to support startups driving the transition toward a resilient and decarbonized future.
Climate Innovation Investment Prize
presented by TRIREC
$100,000 - $300,000
Who Is It For?
Visionary founders building scalable solutions that reduce, prevent, or capture greenhouse gas emissions across our five key verticals:
- Advancing Renewable Energy
- Greening Industrial Processes
- Mobility & Clean Transportation
- Sustainable Food & Agriculture
- Green Buildings & Circular Economy
Why It Matters
This is more than just capital—it’s a long-term commitment to turning your innovation into a climate-positive success story.
What You Can Expect
- An equity investment offer
- Hands-on guidance from TRIREC’s seasoned climate investors and portfolio founders who have scaled decarbonization ventures globally
- Opportunities to collaborate with industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability-driven enterprises to accelerate market adoption
- A strategic pathway to commercial deployment, leveraging TRIREC’s deep expertise in scaling climate technologies
Join the leading stage for climate tech innovation! Decarbonize the future, one Innovation at a time.
INVESTMENT PARTNER
TRIREC is a Singapore-based cleantech investment holding company focusing on global opportunities in the areas of renewable energy, clean technology and sustainability. TRIREC aims to identify suitable equity investment opportunities in early and growth stage companies, which can potentially provide both significant long-term upside return performance while achieving sustainable and positive impact to the environment. TRIREC has 11 portfolio companies across a broad range of industry sectors around the globe. Two of their current portfolio companies, Sunseap and SolarHome Asia are featured in the 2018 APAC 25.
Read more about TRIREC
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 generation.
NOMINATE a Startup
Help us find the next big unicorn!
