Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition 12th Edition
Step into the future at the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition where we unite young innovators from international universities to leverage deep-tech in solving global grand challenges.
The top 50 teams stand to receive sponsored airfare and accommodation trips to Singapore, meet influential business leaders and potential co-founders, and win prizes at the World’s Largest University Startup Challenge!
Focus Area
Timeline
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.
Categories
Categories 0 to 1:
Pre-revenue teams driving commercialization opportunities with transformative potential in urban solutions and sustainability.
Academic research that drives groundbreaking deep-tech solutions, fostering commercialisation opportunities to tackle challenges in urban solutions and sustainability. These innovations may still require validation but promise transformative impact.
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 one founding member/founder, who is a current student or recent alumnus / alumna of a university who graduated within the past 5 years.
A “current student” is an individual who is currently enrolled full-time in a polytechnic, undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD programme at a tertiary institution as of 31 March 2025.
Individuals who were previously enrolled full-time in any of the programmes, but who dropped out between 31st March 2019 and 31st March 2024, 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 the phase of initial sales or looking to scale.
The product or service has launched in the market, and the startup is seeking its next customer(s) and/or to enter a new market.
Each team / startup must have at least one founding member/founder, who is a current student or recent alumnus / alumna of a university who graduated within the past 5 years.
A “current student” is an individual who is currently enrolled full-time in a polytechnic, undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD programme at a tertiary institution as of 31 March 2025.
Individuals who were previously enrolled full-time in any of the programmes, but who dropped out between 31st March 2019 and 31st March 2024, are also eligible to apply.
There is no restriction on the number of members in a team or company.
Early Bird Perks
Apply by 5 March 2025!
Apply by 5 March 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!