And join a new accelerator to boost your business. Dream big, build bigger—here’s your chance to grab over S$2.5M in prizes and supercharge your startup at one of Asia’s top deep-tech university startup competitions: the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC), hosted by Singapore Management University’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SMU IIE).

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🌟 Why join?

This isn’t your usual competition—it’s your ticket to:

• S$2.5M+ in prizes, with cash awards up to S$125,000 and investments up to S$600,000.
• 1-on-1 mentorship from C-suite execs from listed companies, top-tier VCs, and prominent business families in Southeast Asia.
• Join a global network of deep-tech founders from the world’s top 100 universities.
• Pitch to investors across Singapore’s ecosystem of  200 venture capital funds and family offices.
• Finalists from overseas get complimentary flights and accommodation during the week of Singapore’s F1 Grand Prix, from 29th September 2025 to 2nd October 2025.

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🚀 Introducing the new LKYGBPC Accelerator

Launching this September, exclusively for competition participants, this accelerator is backed by a robust, dynamic public-private-philanthropic network, offering:

• Mentorship and connections to specialized investors.
• Access to top research labs and resources.
• Real-world pilot opportunities to validate and scale your innovations.
• Expert guidance to accelerate regulatory approvals.

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🌏 Who’s eligible?

LKYGBPC welcomes global startups from pre-revenue to Series A stages. The criterion is to have at least one founder who's a current undergraduate, Master’s or PhD student or has graduated within the last five years.

Two categories to compete in:

• 0 to 1 Category: Disruptive, pre-revenue innovations.
• 1 to Infinity Category: Revenue-generating startups up to Series A.

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🏆 Some prizes up for grabs:

• Lee Kuan Yew Beta & Infinity Prizes: S$100,000 cash each.
• Future of Sustainable Materials Award: S$125,000 cash.
• Global AI Initiative Award: S$125,000 cash.
• And more.

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📅  Dates to remember:

• Deadline: 30 April 2025

Don’t miss your chance for mentorship, market entry support, and global connections.

👉🏼 Apply now!

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This article was written in partnership with Singapore Management University.

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About the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC)

Singapore Management University has launched the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) to help global startups like yours unlock the next level of growth. Win over S$2.5M in prizes, join an exclusive accelerator, and tap into powerful mentorship and networks to scale your startup faster.

Applications are now open. Apply by 30 April 2025. Winners will be announced at the Grand Finals event in Singapore. Apply here!

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About SMU IIE

The Singapore Management University (SMU) Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) is a practice-oriented institute that nurtures changemakers and founders who aspire to make the world a better place. To achieve this mission, IIE focuses on its three areas of competencies which include customised training programmes, an equity-free incubation programme, and fostering a cohesive innovation and entrepreneurship community through activities such as its marquee event – the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC). For more information: https://iie.smu.edu.sg/