Supporters and Partners
Our vibrant community of partners is the bedrock of our success. They echo our unwavering belief in the need to support and empower next-gen innovators from around the world and they fuel our mission. From generous funding and invaluable time commitments to the sharing of crucial knowledge and networks, their support enables us to think big and go far. We extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible partners.
Founding Benefactor
Visionary Partners
Innovation Partners
Investment Partners
Enterprise Partners
Knowledge Partners
Grant Partners
Roadshow Partners
/12th%20LKYGBPC/15.%20Partners/International%20Roadshow%20Partner%20Logos/4.%20a.%20MENA-American%20University%20of%20Beirut/AUB_Main_Horizontal_CMYK.png?csf=1&web=1&e=LsKoOv)
/12th%20LKYGBPC/15.%20Partners/International%20Roadshow%20Partner%20Logos/Nile%20University%20-%20Tech%20Transfer%20Office/Nile%20University%20-%20Tech%20Transfer%20Office.jpg?csf=1&web=1&e=B13eIn){kind=spacer}
Community Partners
Trailblazers - Student Leaders
As a university institute running a world-class global event to discover next-gen innovators, students are integral in our event planning and execution. Every edition, we assemble a dynamic team of driven students who are passionate about learning about what goes behind the scenes, meeting movers and shakers in the global innovation and entrepreneurship scene, and playing a part in empowering tomorrow's innovators.
While we offer them this unique opportunity, they invigorate us with their youthful energy and ideas. We are proud to present the student leaders for our 2025 edition.
Alicia Goh Li Xuan
Student Leader - Scouting and Evaluation
Singapore Management University
Alicia Goh Li Xuan
Student Leader - Scouting and Evaluation
Singapore Management University
Gavriel Tan
Student Leader - International Roadshow and Outreach
University College London
Gavriel Tan
Student Leader - International Roadshow and Outreach
University College London
Koh Yi Xuan
Student Leader - Fundraising
Singapore Management University
Kua Le Yi
Student Leader - Scouting and Evaluation
Singapore Management University
Kua Le Yi
Student Leader - Scouting and Evaluation
Singapore Management University
Lee Jia Yi
Student Leader - Marketing Communications
Singapore Management University
Lee Jia Yi
Student Leader - Marketing Communications
Singapore Management University
Leong Mun Kit
Student Leader - Scouting and Evaluation
Singapore Management University
Leong Mun Kit
Student Leader - Scouting and Evaluation
Singapore Management University
Lye Jia Jun
Student Leader - International Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Lye Jia Jun
Student Leader - International Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Pranav Krishna
Student Leader - International Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Pranav Krishna
Student Leader - International Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Sherlin Choo Zhi Yi
Student Leader - DueAI Challenge
Singapore Management University
Sherlin Choo Zhi Yi
Student Leader - DueAI Challenge
Singapore Management University
Sivaghami Lakshmanan
Student Leader - Local Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Sivaghami Lakshmanan
Student Leader - Local Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Tania Lee Gunawan
Student Leader - Marketing Communications
Singapore Management University
Tania Lee Gunawan
Student Leader - Marketing Communications
Singapore Management University
Alicia Tung
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Alicia Tung
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Amadeus Chong
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
University College London
Amadeus Chong
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
University College London
Basavesh Choukimath
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Basavesh Choukimath
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Binh Nguyen To
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City
Binh Nguyen To
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City
Chong Li Han
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Chong Li Han
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Dhwanii Deepak Kumar
Student Organising Committee - Scouting and Evaluation
Global Schools Group
Dhwanii Deepak Kumar
Student Organising Committee - Scouting and Evaluation
Global Schools Group
Ethan Widjaja
Student Organising Committee - Scouting and Evaluation
National University of Singapore
Ethan Widjaja
Student Organising Committee - Scouting and Evaluation
National University of Singapore
Genevieve Lim
Student Organising Committee - Scouting and Evaluation
The London School of Economics and Political Science
Genevieve Lim
Student Organising Committee - Scouting and Evaluation
The London School of Economics and Political Science
Huang Li Shan
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Huang Li Shan
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Khadijah Syahidah Pinardi
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Khadijah Syahidah Pinardi
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Kimberley Shanon Annabelle Ganap
Student Organising Committee - Marketing Communications
Singapore Management University
Kimberley Shanon Annabelle Ganap
Student Organising Committee - Marketing Communications
Singapore Management University
Leo Zheng Kai
Student Organising Committee - DueAI Challenge
Singapore Management University
Leo Zheng Kai
Student Organising Committee - DueAI Challenge
Singapore Management University
Lim Kok Sean
Student Organising Committee - Marketing Communications
Nanyang Technological University
Lim Kok Sean
Student Organising Committee - Marketing Communications
Nanyang Technological University
Lim Zi En
Student Organising Committee - Scouting and Evaluation
Singapore Management University
Lim Zi En
Student Organising Committee - Scouting and Evaluation
Singapore Management University
Loh May Shann
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
University College London
Loh May Shann
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
University College London
Marcus Ng Zi-Tjen
Student Organising Committee - Marketing Communications
Singapore Management University
Marcus Ng Zi-Tjen
Student Organising Committee - Marketing Communications
Singapore Management University
Omar El-Habbak
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
University of Strathclyde
Omar El-Habbak
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
University of Strathclyde
Pranjal Sheth
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
University of Houston
Pranjal Sheth
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
University of Houston
Shannon He
Student Organising Committee - Scouting and Evaluation
National University of Singapore
Shannon He
Student Organising Committee - Scouting and Evaluation
National University of Singapore
Shehani Tharushika Senadheera
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Shehani Tharushika Senadheera
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Varya Chugh
Student Organising Committee - Marketing Communications
Nanyang Technological University
Varya Chugh
Student Organising Committee - Marketing Communications
Nanyang Technological University
Vidya Vaishnavi Suppiah
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Vidya Vaishnavi Suppiah
Student Organising Committee - International Roadshow and Outreach
Singapore Management University
Vishal Menon
Student Organising Committee - Fundraising
University of London
Wang Jiaxin
Student Organising Committee - Fundraising
Singapore Management University
Wang Jiaxin
Student Organising Committee - Fundraising
Singapore Management University
Trailblazers - Judges
The Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) is honoured to onboard an esteemed international judging panel comprising leaders from industry, academia, venture capital firms, and government establishments.
The mission of LKYGBPC is to identify the revolutionary top 50 or RVTL50 deep-tech university startups from thousands of global applicants—and to celebrate the most influential change-makers within this group. The panel of international judges plays a critical role in upholding the highest standards of evaluation, ensuring a rigorous and impartial selection process.
A subset of the over 200 international judges supporting the LKYGBPC is featured below.
Mario Fernandez
Head of Catalyst
Breakthrough Energy [US]
Joyce Ng
General Partner
iGlobe Partners [Singapore]
Cyril Ebersweiler
General Partner
SOSV [Singapore]
Daniel TAY
VP, Emerging Technologies
Temasek
Prof Shlomo Magdassi
Professor of Chemistry
Hebrew University of Jerusalem [Israel]
Prof Shlomo Magdassi
Professor of Chemistry
Hebrew University of Jerusalem [Israel]
Prof Catherine Morency
Canada Research Chair in the Mobility of People
Polytechnique Montréal [Canada]
Prof Catherine Morency
Canada Research Chair in the Mobility of People
Polytechnique Montréal [Canada]
Prof Paul Davidson
Director, Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation
UIUC [US]
Prof Paul Davidson
Director, Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation
UIUC [US]
Prof Romildo D. Toledo Filho
CEO
UFRJ Science Park [Brazil]
Ms Leslie ZAMBELLI
Asia Senior Investment Director for Environment / Sustainable Development
Schneider Electric [Singapore]
Ms Leslie ZAMBELLI
Asia Senior Investment Director for Environment / Sustainable Development
Schneider Electric [Singapore]
Karndee LEOPAIROTE
Executive Vice President
Foresight and Innovation, FutureTales Lab, MQDC [Thailand]
Karndee LEOPAIROTE
Executive Vice President
Foresight and Innovation, FutureTales Lab, MQDC [Thailand]
Dr Lee Shiang Long
Group CTO
ST Engineering [Singapore]
Genevieve Soh
Chief Product & Strategy Officer
Climate Impact X [Singapore]
Frank Levinson
Co-Founder and General Partner
Convergent Ventures [US]
Shingo Hori
Managing Director
Kajima Ventures Pte Ltd [Singapore]
Dr LEE Song Hao
Founder
Evovets
James Tang
Partner
Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers (KPCB) [China]
Prof Tuuli Toivonen
Professor
University of Helsinki [Finland]
Prof Carolina Rojas Quezada
Director of R&D
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile [Chile]
Prof Carolina Rojas Quezada
Director of R&D
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile [Chile]
Prof Kerry Kirwan
Deputy Pro-Vice Cancellor (Research)
University of Warwich [UK]
Prof Kerry Kirwan
Deputy Pro-Vice Cancellor (Research)
University of Warwich [UK]
Prof Neven Duić
Power Engineering and Energy Management Chair
University of Zagreb [Croatia]
Prof Neven Duić
Power Engineering and Energy Management Chair
University of Zagreb [Croatia]
Wanweera Rachdawong
CEO
Thailand Management Association (TMA) [Thailand]
Caroline Liow
Managing Director
Deutsche Bank [Singapore]
Seungho Lee
CEO
DeltaTech-Korea [South Korea]
Jose Arnulfo Batac
Senior Assistant Vice President - Corporate Ventures
Metaworld Corporation [Philippines]
Jose Arnulfo Batac
Senior Assistant Vice President - Corporate Ventures
Metaworld Corporation [Philippines]
Jeffrey Paine
Founding Managing Partner
Golden Gate Ventures [Singapore]
Farhan Firdaus
Partner
Meet Ventures [Singapore]
Neha Poddar
Partner
Good Startup [Singapore]
Andrew Hyung
General Partner
Valuence Ventures [US]
Prof. Hadas Mamane
Professor
Tel Aviv U [Israel]
Dr Chun-Ting LIN
COO, Operations Center for Industry Collaboration
National Tsing Hua University [Taiwan]
Dr Chun-Ting LIN
COO, Operations Center for Industry Collaboration
National Tsing Hua University [Taiwan]
Prof Peter D. Lund
Professor, Department of Applied Physics and Professor
Aalto University [Finland]
Prof Peter D. Lund
Professor, Department of Applied Physics and Professor
Aalto University [Finland]
Prof George Georghiou
Professor and Director
University of Cyprus [Cyprus]
David Golding
Head of Global Innovation Partnerships
Innovate UK [UK]
Mr NG Keng Wei
Group Director & CTO
NEA [Singapore]
Mr NG Keng Wei
Group Director & CTO
NEA [Singapore]
Dr Einar Olavi MANTYLA
CEO
Auðna Tæknitorg (TTO Iceland) [Iceland]
Dr Ng Wai Kiong
Executive Director, ISCE2
A*STAR [Singapore]
Prof Lee Pooi See
Vice President (International Engagement) President's Chair in Materials Science and Engineering Professor, School of Materials Science & Engineering
NTU [Singapore]
Prof Lee Pooi See
Vice President (International Engagement) President's Chair in Materials Science and Engineering Professor, School of Materials Science & Engineering
NTU [Singapore]
Prof Xiwang Zhang
Director of UQ Dow Centre, and Director of ARC Centre of Excellence for Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide (GetCO2)
University of Queensland [Australia]
Prof Xiwang Zhang
Director of UQ Dow Centre, and Director of ARC Centre of Excellence for Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide (GetCO2)
University of Queensland [Australia]
Dr Nikhil Agarwal
Managing Director, FITT-IITDelhi
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi [India]
Dr Nikhil Agarwal
Managing Director, FITT-IITDelhi
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi [India]
Prof. Stephen Cummings
Professor of Innovation
Victoria University of Wellington [New Zealand]
Prof. Stephen Cummings
Professor of Innovation
Victoria University of Wellington [New Zealand]
Karen Tay
Chief of Staff
ENGIE South East Asia [Singapore]
Guah Eng Hock
Director
SG Enviro Pte Ltd [Singapore]
Ryan Chaw
Senior Director, Global Scouting, Global Strategy and Corporate Development
The Coca Cola Company [Singapore]
Ryan Chaw
Senior Director, Global Scouting, Global Strategy and Corporate Development
The Coca Cola Company [Singapore]
Jordi Rafols
CEO
Innoget [Spain]
Dr Chung-Chih Wu
Vice President, R&D
National Taiwan University [Taiwan]
Prof. Dr. Habibah Wahab
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation
Universiti Sains Malaysia [Malaysia]
Prof. Dr. Habibah Wahab
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation
Universiti Sains Malaysia [Malaysia]
Prof Ivan Lee
Vice President
SIT [Singapore]
Prof Ivan Lee
Vice President
SIT [Singapore]
Dr Haji Masairol Haji Masri
Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Industry Engagement and Enterprise Development)
Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) [Brunei Darussalam]
Dr Haji Masairol Haji Masri
Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Industry Engagement and Enterprise Development)
Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) [Brunei Darussalam]
Sanjay Velappan
Investor
Berkeley SkyDeck Fund [US]
Tim Zhang
Vice President
GIC [Singapore]
Mr PHEY Teck Moh
Partner & Co-founder
AngelCentral [Singapore]
Axel Tan
Venture Partner
IMC Ventures [Singapore]
Dr Kim Shin Cheul
Associate VP for Research & Development (Knowledge Transfer)
The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology [Hong Kong]
Dr Kim Shin Cheul
Associate VP for Research & Development (Knowledge Transfer)
The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology [Hong Kong]
Prof Robert Rosner
Professor, Departments of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Physics; Enrico Fermi Institute
U of Chicago [US]
Prof Robert Rosner
Professor, Departments of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Physics; Enrico Fermi Institute
U of Chicago [US]
Dr Reem AL-FAYEZ
Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center
University of Jordan [Jordan]
Dr Reem AL-FAYEZ
Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center
University of Jordan [Jordan]
Prof Subodh Mhaisalkar
Executive Director for Academic Research
National Research Foundation [Singapore]
Prof Subodh Mhaisalkar
Executive Director for Academic Research
National Research Foundation [Singapore]
Mr George POH
CEO
Unisteel Technology Ltd [Singapore]
Dr. Elif Güngör Reis
Board Member
AREL TEKMER [Turkey]
Mr Alex SZABO
Partner & Managing Director
Stryber [Singapore]
Dr. Agus Muhamad Hatta
Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, Cooperation, and Alumni
Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) [Indonesia]
Dr. Agus Muhamad Hatta
Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, Cooperation, and Alumni
Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) [Indonesia]
Ir Prof Anderson H.C. Shum
Vice-President (Research)
City University of Hong Kong [Hong Kong]
Ir Prof Anderson H.C. Shum
Vice-President (Research)
City University of Hong Kong [Hong Kong]
Dr Sovila Srun
Director
Royal University of Phnom Penh [Cambodia]
Apiwat Thongprasert
Managing Director
VISUP / VISTEC [Thailand]
Dr WONG Mun Yew
Managing Partner
Greenwillow Capital Management [Singapore]
Terence Teo
Senior Principal, Investments
EDBI Pte Ltd [Singapore]
Kirby Leo
Managing Director
Principled Investments [Singapore]
Pang Chan Yip
Executive Director
Vertex Ventures [Singapore]
Prof. em. Dr. Ralph Eichler
Professor Emeritus at the Department of Physics
ETH Zurich [Switzerland]
Prof. em. Dr. Ralph Eichler
Professor Emeritus at the Department of Physics
ETH Zurich [Switzerland]
Prof M.N. Kaumal
Director, University Business Linkage (UBL)
University of Colombo [Sri Lanka]
Prof M.N. Kaumal
Director, University Business Linkage (UBL)
University of Colombo [Sri Lanka]
Dr. Heba KAOUD
Director Of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO)
Nile University [Egypt]
Dr. Heba KAOUD
Director Of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO)
Nile University [Egypt]
Prof Ariuntsetseg Lkhagva
Professor, Department of Biology
National University of Mongolia [Mongolia]
Prof Ariuntsetseg Lkhagva
Professor, Department of Biology
National University of Mongolia [Mongolia]
Sandra Speer
Head of the Transfer Center enaCom
Universität Bonn [Germany]
Prof Osamu Watanabe
President
INPIT [Japan]
Prof Osamu Watanabe
President
INPIT [Japan]
Dr Jonathan Low
Assistant CEO
ARTC [Singapore]
Dr Niclas NILSSON
Director of Innovation
Lund University [Sweden]
NG Choon Peng
Co-founder / CEO
ImmunoScape [Singapore]
Johnson Paul
Director, Group Strategy, Business Development
Meinhardt Singapore Pte Ltd [Singapore]
Johnson Paul
Director, Group Strategy, Business Development
Meinhardt Singapore Pte Ltd [Singapore]
Matthew Choo
Director
NTUC Congress [Singapore]
David Lee
Independent Non-Executive Director
Maybank Singapore Ltd [Singapore]
Dr Wanwipa (Jeab) S
Deal Partner
Vectors Capital [Thailand]
Douglas PERIS
Partner
Founders Bridge [Singapore]
Vadim SHPAK
Operating Managing Director
Vickers Venture Partners [Singapore]
Prof. Christopher Gordon
Professor
University of Ghana [Ghana]
Dr Pham Tan Thi
Director
HCMUT [Vietnam]
Martin Spraggon Hernandez
Dean / Professor
Canadian University Dubai [United Arab Emirates]
Martin Spraggon Hernandez
Dean / Professor
Canadian University Dubai [United Arab Emirates]
Dr Jifeng ZHANG
Director, Smart Energy Research Center
Yangtze Delta Region Instiute of Tsinghua University [China]
Dr Jifeng ZHANG
Director, Smart Energy Research Center
Yangtze Delta Region Instiute of Tsinghua University [China]
Ms Av. İdil Hazer
Director, Technology Transfer Office
Middle East Technical University [Turkey]
Ms Av. İdil Hazer
Director, Technology Transfer Office
Middle East Technical University [Turkey]
Ms Caroline ARUOJA
Manager, TalTech Startup Centre
Tallinn University of Technology [Estonia]
Ms Caroline ARUOJA
Manager, TalTech Startup Centre
Tallinn University of Technology [Estonia]
Mr Alvaro Ossa Daruich
Director Innovación
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile [Chile]
Mr Alvaro Ossa Daruich
Director Innovación
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile [Chile]
Dr Chava V. Saradhi
Deputy Director
NTUitive Pte Ltd [Singapore]
Mr Clarence TAN
Founder
Origgin Ventures Pte Ltd [Singapore]
Shawn TAN
General Partner
TRIVE Digital [Singapore]
Kevin MOON
Investment Director
Amand Ventures [Singapore]
Shwetank VERMA
Managing Partner
Leo Capital [Singapore]
Naveen ASRANI
Head - Strategic Product & Growth, Digital Native Businesses and Software
Amazon Web Services Pte Ltd [Singapore]
Naveen ASRANI
Head - Strategic Product & Growth, Digital Native Businesses and Software
Amazon Web Services Pte Ltd [Singapore]
Kirill PERFILIEV
SVP
NTUC Enterprise [Singapore]
Patrick LIM
CEO
Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) [Singapore]
Shankar KRISHNAMOORTHY
Co-Founder and Director
Aspire Systems Global Pte Ltd [Singapore]
Shankar KRISHNAMOORTHY
Co-Founder and Director
Aspire Systems Global Pte Ltd [Singapore]
NEO Weisheng
Partner
Qualgro Partners [Singapore]
Ben CHEAH
Partner
Innoven Capital SEA [Singapore]
BOBBY MAHASITH
CEO & Founder
GreenrocketVC [Singapore]
Dr Ngin Hoon Tong
Senior Director
SFA [Singapore]
Dr Nedeljko Milosavljević
Co Director
Labena Ventures [Serbia]
Dr Ang Yee Gary
Consultant
National Healthcare Group [Singapore]
Mr Rohan McDougall
Director of IP Commercialisation
Curtin University [Australia]
Mr Rohan McDougall
Director of IP Commercialisation
Curtin University [Australia]
Marek DAWIDOWICZ
YouTube Marketing Director
Google [Singapore]
Amit KAISTHA
Global Head of Partnerships
Qapita Pte Ltd [Singapore]
TAY Kok Chin
Executive Director
Smart Cities Council [Singapore]
Mr David YIN
Partner
GSR Ventures [Singapore]
Mr Anand GOVINDALURI
Founding Director & CEO
Govin Capital [Singapore]
Raymond Choong
Venture Partner
Focus Tech Ventures [Singapore]
Raymond Choong
Venture Partner
Focus Tech Ventures [Singapore]
Ghanshyam AHUJA
Managing Partner
Thinkuvate Pte Ltd [Singapore]
Harish METHIL
Managing Director
AmpUp Advisory Pte Ltd [Singapore]
Timo UUSTAL
Co-Founder / CEO
Nursebeam [Singapore]
Ryan Lim
Founding Partner
QED Changemakers [Singapore]
Mr Bjørn SIMONSEN
Science & Technology Counsellor
Innovation Norway [Norway]
Manish SINHA
Director & Head of Venture Building
NTUitive Pte Ltd [Singapore]
Dr Kevin CHEONG
Adjunct Faculty
SMU [Singapore]
Dr Jonathan CHANG
CEO
HeritageSG [Singapore]
Andre Stolz
MD and Co-Founder
Budding Innovation [Singapore]
Mr Xander SIM
Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer
Cell-ID, i3.lab [Singapore]
Mr Xander SIM
Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer
Cell-ID, i3.lab [Singapore]
Dr Dien PANDIMAN
Executive Director
Pidilite Industries Limited [Singapore]
Kris CHILDRESS
Consultant
Kris Consulting [Singapore]
YEE Chong Moon
Head of Commercial, Tech & Durables
NielsenIQ [Singapore]
Chris POWELL
Deputy Director
NTU [Singapore]
Pietro BORSANO
Deputy Executive Director, Industrial & Global Alliances
Chulalongkorn University [Thailand]
Pietro BORSANO
Deputy Executive Director, Industrial & Global Alliances
Chulalongkorn University [Thailand]
Chris YEO
CEO
Doku [Singapore]
Dr Yousif ASFOUR
Chief Innovation & Transformation Officer
American Univeristy of Beirut [Lebanon]
Dr Yousif ASFOUR
Chief Innovation & Transformation Officer
American Univeristy of Beirut [Lebanon]
Oliver KWAN
Founder & CEO
Motion G [Singapore]
Ghislain LE CHATELIER
Founder & CEO
Edgile [Singapore]
Luca SCHNETTLER
Group CEO
Qumata Group [Singapore]
Luca SCHNETTLER
Group CEO
Qumata Group [Singapore]
Reynold D'SILVA
CEO
Chope [Singapore]
Sri MANDALAPARTHY
Tech Due Diligence, Growth & Transformation Leader
C2F Corp Strategic Advisory & Execution [US]
Sri MANDALAPARTHY
Tech Due Diligence, Growth & Transformation Leader
C2F Corp Strategic Advisory & Execution [US]
Naotaka ISHIZAWA
General Manager
Innovation Promotion Group [Japan]
Jayanth BHUVARAGHAN
Founder
The PDG Pte Ltd [Singapore]
Oliver LU
Partner
Innoangel Fund [China]
Filippo GIACHI
Founder
SustainX Ventures [Singapore]
Tatiana SIUFI
Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer
Vidacity [Singapore]
Mogan SUBRAMANIAM
MD
GrowthTech Insights [Singapore]
Jerahmeel B. CHEN
Chief Innovation Officer
National Development Company (NDC) [Philippines]
Jerahmeel B. CHEN
Chief Innovation Officer
National Development Company (NDC) [Philippines]
Prof. Sangam Shrestha
Dean of School of Engineering and Technology Director Global Water Sanitation Center Professor of Water Engineering and Management
Asian Institute of Technology [Thailand]
Prof. Sangam Shrestha
Dean of School of Engineering and Technology Director Global Water Sanitation Center Professor of Water Engineering and Management
Asian Institute of Technology [Thailand]
Ronald ANG
Venture Builder
Stryber [Singapore]
Dr TAN Yong-Tsong
CEO
Bluefield Renewable Energy [Singapore]
Arnaud BLANDIN
Founder
The Beyond Institute [France]
Prof Frank ROTHAERMEL
Regents' Professor
Georgia Institute of Technology [US]
Prof Dongmin CHEN
Director, Tsientang Materials Research Laboratory, Emeritus Professor
Peking University [China]
Prof Dongmin CHEN
Director, Tsientang Materials Research Laboratory, Emeritus Professor
Peking University [China]
Dr. Hala Madanat
Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science Distinguished Professor Vice President for Research and Innovation
SDSU (San Diego State University) [US]
Dr. Hala Madanat
Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science Distinguished Professor Vice President for Research and Innovation
SDSU (San Diego State University) [US]
Ms Yoonmin CHO
Partner
Sopoong Ventures [South Korea]
Mr Veravej ORNTHANALAI
Managing Director
IDG Thailand [Thailand]
Ms Radiana SOH
Director, Innovation & Enterprise
A*STAR [Singapore]
Mr Jelmer IKINK
Founding Partner
Foxmont Capital Partners [Philippines]
Dr Howard CALIFANO
Director
Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research & Technology [Singapore]
Dr Howard CALIFANO
Director
Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research & Technology [Singapore]
Dr. Ajjaree (Kwan) Limpamont
Assistant Professor
The International School of Management (ISM), University of Thai Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Ajjaree (Kwan) Limpamont
Assistant Professor
The International School of Management (ISM), University of Thai Chamber of Commerce
Anand Govindaluri
Group Chief Executive Officer
Govin Holdings
Armen R. Kherlopian, Ph.D.
CEO & Partner
Covenant Venture Capital
Paolo Nalin
Co-Founder & CEO
Hydroemission
Dennis LING
Senior Director, Innovation & Enterprsie
Singapore University of Technology and Design [Singapore]
Dennis LING
Senior Director, Innovation & Enterprsie
Singapore University of Technology and Design [Singapore]
Dr TAN Sian Wee
Senior Vice President, Innovation & Enterprise
National University of Singapore [Singapore]
Dr TAN Sian Wee
Senior Vice President, Innovation & Enterprise
National University of Singapore [Singapore]
Mr David TOH
CEO
NTUitive Pte Ltd [Singapore]
Dr SZE Tiam Lin
Senior Licensing Advisor
Singapore Management University [Singapore]
Dr SZE Tiam Lin
Senior Licensing Advisor
Singapore Management University [Singapore]
Trailblazers - Advisory Committee
Guiding the course of the competition is our eminent advisory committee comprising industry luminaries. Their invaluable counsel navigates us towards maximizing the impact of the competition while their strategic vision provides crucial direction. Each member of our committee is a distinguished authority in their respective field, offering unparalleled expertise.
Shirley Wong
Entrepreneur-in-Residence, SMU Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship & Managing Partner
TNF Ventures Pte Ltd
Shirley is a results-driven business leader and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in the IT and Technology industry. She currently serves as the Managing Partner at TNF Ventures Pte Ltd, a seed and early-stage venture fund focusing on technology startups.
From 2013 to 2016, Shirley was the Chairman of Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation, now known as SGTech. In 1994, she co-founded Frontline Technologies, which was listed on the Singapore Exchange in March 2001. Under her leadership, the company grew from a team of 8 to a 5000-strong workforce spread across 11 countries in Asia Pacific, before being acquired by British Telecom Global Services in March 2008.
Since 2013, Shirley's focus has shifted to investing in and mentoring technology-based startups. She actively helps startups secure funding and gain market access while remaining passionate about entrepreneurship and innovative technology. Shirley is also the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Singapore Management University's Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, where she assists in developing a world-class incubation program.
Shirley has been the Chairperson of the President’s Technology Award from 2017 to 2019, recognizing outstanding contributions to R&D in Singapore. Shirley has chaired the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition for the past three editions, a platform that empowers the next generation of innovators from universities worldwide to develop sustainable urban innovation!
In addition, Shirley serves on the boards of Assurity Trusted Solutions, DSO National Laboratories, Netlink NBN, National Kidney Foundation, and Yellow Ribbon Singapore. She is a member of the CAAS authority committee on Cybersecurity and Data Governance, PDPA Advisory, and SIA Engineering Technology Advisory Board. Shirley was recognized as one of Singapore's 100 Women in Tech 2020 for her significant contributions to the tech sector.
Shirley Wong
Entrepreneur-in-Residence, SMU Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship & Managing Partner
TNF Ventures Pte Ltd
Jixun Foo
Senior Managing Partner
Granite Asia
Jixun Foo is a senior managing partner at Granite Asia. He leads the firm’s overall investment strategy and portfolio management.
Jixun has spent the last 20 years working with entrepreneurs in the mobility, transportation and enterprise services sectors in Asia. He is best known for his early investments into companies like Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU), Grab, Xpeng Motors (NYSE: XPEV) and his critical roles in strategic mergers and acquisitions, such as those of Youku-Tudou (the first ever multi-billion-dollar tech merger in China), Baidu/Qunar, Ctrip/Qunar, and Manbang (Yunmanman/Huachebang). His portfolio includes 22 companies valued at more than $1 billion each.
Jixun was previously a Director at Draper Fisher Jurvetson ePlanet Ventures, where he led investment efforts in Asian companies such as Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU). Prior to DFJ ePlanet, Jixun headed up the Investment Group under the Finance & Investment Division of the National Science & Technology Board of Singapore (NSTB) and was previously an R&D project group leader at Hewlett Packard.
Born and raised in Singapore, Jixun is highly respected in the Asia business community and serves on the boards of regional and global organisations including PSA International (Singapore) and Bombardier (Canada).
He has been named as one of the Top 10 Venture Capitalists by Zero2IPO as well as "VC Professional of the Year" by the Asia Venture Capital Journal. He frequently appears on the global Forbes Midas list, including 2019-2023, and was recognised among the Top 100 Venture Capitalists by The New York Times/CBInsights in 2019.
Jixun is an alumnus of the National University of Singapore, obtained a First-Class Honours in Engineering and later, earned an M.Sc. in Management of Technology from the esteemed Graduate School of Business.
Jixun Foo
Senior Managing Partner
Granite Asia
David Golding
Head of Global Innovation Partnerships
Innovate UK
David’s role involves leading Innovate UK’s global activities working with international partners and networks to build collaborations and delivering programmes in support of innovative high growth UK businesses seeking global innovation and research and development opportunities.
Innovate UK, as UK’s national innovation agency, provides support for businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas and to grow and scale globally.
David has been with Innovate UK since it was established 2007 (as the Technology Strategy Board) and was responsible for developing ‘Connect & Catalyse’ and ‘Concept to Commercialisation’, the first two strategies of the organisation.
He has been involved in developing many of the ways it supports business including Small Business Research Initiative (Contracts for Innovation), Catapult centres, the Enterprise Europe Network and Innovate UK Business Growth, as well as its global programmes including joint programmes with Canada, USA, India, China, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Brazil.
Prior to joining Innovate UK, David worked for the UK Department of Trade and Industry (now Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) covering a range of different areas including innovation policy as well as working directly for government ministers.
During 2022, David was Chair of Taftie, the Network of Leading European Innovation Agencies and remains a Board member.
David Golding
Head of Global Innovation Partnerships
Innovate UK
Lim Eng Hwee
Chief Executive Officer
Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)
Mr Lim Eng Hwee is the Chief Executive Officer of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) with effect from 1st September 2017. URA is Singapore’s national planning agency, responsible for the physical planning and urban development of Singapore.
Mr Lim was formerly the Chief Planner and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of URA from 2009 to 2017. He has extensive experience in urban planning, urban design, implementation of land use policies and development initiatives. He also served in the Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Trade and Industry.
He served as a member in the Boards of Land Transport Authority, Singapore Cooperation Enterprise, Singapore Science Centre, International Federation for Housing and Planning and Singapore Tourism Board. He currently sits on the Board of National Environment Agency.
Mr Lim graduated with a Bachelor of Planning from the University of Auckland. He also holds a Master in Public Administration from the Harvard University and attended the Wharton Advanced Management Program at the University of Pennsylvania.
Lim Eng Hwee
Chief Executive Officer
Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)
Lim Teck Kiat
Deputy Secretary (Resilience)
Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment
Mr Lim Teck Kiat currently serves as Deputy Secretary (Resilience) in the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) of the Republic of Singapore. He oversees water and food policies, as well as the Ministry’s international relations, communications and engagement functions.
Teck Kiat also serves as a board member of Yellow Ribbon Singapore, an agency that reintegrates ex-offenders and ensures that they have a second chance in life. Prior to MSE, he has served in the Prime Minister’s Office, in the Public Service Division, and in the Ministries of Social Development, National Development, Transport and Law. He has experience in designing and implementing social policies to build a caring and inclusive society, in building human capital, in climate change negotiations and in building eco-cities. He has also worked on developing Singapore as a maritime hub and enhancing access to legal aid. Before joining the Singapore Civil Service, Teck Kiat worked with Motorola in Shanghai.
Teck Kiat is an alumni of Harvard Kennedy School, the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University. Teck Kiat volunteers in community programmes in his free time.
Lim Teck Kiat
Deputy Secretary (Resilience)
Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment
Prof Shlomo Magdassi
Professor of Chemistry
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Shlomo Magdassi is a professor at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Institute of Chemistry. His research centers on micro and nanomaterials, with a focus on their applications in 2D 3D and 4D printing. He is the founder of 3D printing center of the Hebrew University, was the Chair of HUJI Innovate, the entrepreneurship center of the Hebrew University, and the former Chair of the Insitute of Chemistry. Currently is is the Vice-Dean for entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, he has published more than 350 papers, edited four books, and holds approximately 300 patents and patent applications. His industrial research outcome includes creating numerous commercial activities, including start-up companies, licensing agreements, and worldwide sales. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the 2016 European Colloid and Interface Society Solvay Award, the 2022 Johann Gutenberg Prize by the Society for Imaging Science and Technology, the 2022 Israel Chemical Award for Outstanding Scientist, and the 2024 Landau Award for outstanding achievements in arts and sciences. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.
Webpage: https://magdassi.huji.ac.il/
Prof Shlomo Magdassi
Professor of Chemistry
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Jacqueline Poh
Chief Executive Officer
JTC Corporation
Ms Poh has been CEO of JTC Corporation since 1 April 2025 and also a director on the Jurong Port Board.
Ms Poh was previously Managing Director of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) from 2021 to 2025. She was the Chairperson of Design Singapore Advisory Board and board member of EDB Investments.
Prior to EDB, Ms Poh was deputy secretary in the Prime Minister's Office Strategy Group. She was also founding chief executive of the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) and managing director of the former Infocommunications Development Authority.
She also held key positions in three ministries - manpower, finance and defence.
She currently sits on the Boards of SingHealth and the Singapore Institute of Technology.
Ms Poh is an alumnus of Oxford, Cambridge, INSEAD (MBA) and Stanford.
Jacqueline Poh
Chief Executive Officer
JTC Corporation
Cher Heng Tan
Group Chief Research and Innovation Officer
National Healthcare Group
A/Professor Cher Heng Tan graduated with MBBS (Singapore) and FRCR (UK). He completed his Abdominal Imaging Fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and thereafter, Executive MBA from Insead. He is presently Senior Consultant with the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where he also serves as Assistant Chairman Medical Board (Clinical Research and Innovation).
At the National Healthcare Group, Cher Heng is Group Chief Research and Innovation Officer and previously Executive Director, Centre for Healthcare Innovation. He is concurrently Assistant Dean (Clinical Research) for the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, and responsible for bridging clinicians to academia, facilitating the development and translation of technology into healthcare. He is involved in the setting up of the Academic Health System between NHG and LKCMedicine-NTU Singapore, as Director of the joint Academic Partnerships Office.
Cher Heng holds leadership positions in various Radiology societies locally and internationally. He was previously Senior Fellow in MOH, under the Healthcare Family Fellowship Programme for which he oversaw the formulation and implementation of guidelines for appropriateness criteria for use of imaging technology and is co-Chair for the national imaging AI platform (AimSG).
Cher Heng Tan
Group Chief Research and Innovation Officer
National Healthcare Group
Professor Yaacob Ibrahim, Adjunct Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (NUS), is an Advisor to SIT’s President and founding Director of CLASIC. He was Singapore’s Minister-in-charge of Cybersecurity (2015–2018), Minister for Communications and Information (2011–2018), Environment and Water Resources (2004–2011), and Community Development and Sports (2002–2004). He served as Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs for 16 years and as MP (1997–2020).
Sugandhi is the Chief Impact Officer of Singapore's impact investing private equity firm ABC Impact, a member of Temasek Trust Asset Management, with AuM of ~US$850m. The firm strives to deliver compelling market rate risk-adjusted financial returns alongside evidence-based, positive and measurable impact to society and the environment. As Chief Impact Officer, Sugandhi leads the firm’s approach towards assessing, measuring, consolidating and driving impact outcomes across its portfolio companies. She also invests for the firm in South and South East Asia.
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!
