Singapore Management University Invites Global Student Innovators to 12th Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition

• Apr 24, 2025

Singapore, April 24, 2025 – Singapore Management University (SMU) has officially opened applications for the 12th Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC), inviting student-founders from around the world to present bold, transformative solutions for cities and businesses of the future. Applications close on April 30, 2025.

Open to undergraduates, postgraduates, and recent alumni, the prestigious biennial competition serves as a launchpad for aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas on a global stage, network with investors, and explore international market opportunities. Participants benefit from mentorship, access to a global innovation community, and exposure to top-tier industry leaders.

A Platform Inspired by Visionary Leadership

Named after Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, the LKYGBPC reflects Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s legacy of resilience, innovation, and nation-building. Organised by SMU’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE), the competition brings together top university talents to imagine and build a smarter, more sustainable, and resilient future.

Since its inception in 2002, LKYGBPC has grown into one of Asia’s most globally representative startup competitions. The 2023 edition attracted over 1,000 entries from 1,100 universities across 77 countries, with 53 top startups gathering in Singapore for the finals.

This year’s finals will take place from September 29 to October 2, 2025, and offer close to USD 2 million in prizes. Past finalists have raised over USD 1 billion in funding, with participants from globally renowned institutions like Harvard, Oxford, Tsinghua University, Yonsei University, and the University of Melbourne.

“A Blueprint for the Future”

“At SMU, innovation is not just about technology—it’s about courage, collaboration, and creativity,” said Hau Koh Foo, Director of IIE. “Our student-founders embody the spirit of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew with their bold visions and grit. LKYGBPC is their stage to shine, and we’re committed to building an ecosystem that supports their journey.”

Alumni Spotlight: From Startup to Impact

The LKYGBPC has helped launch some of the world’s most impactful startups. In 2023, SMU released a commemorative book, Pioneering a Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Future: Founder Stories and Business Models, featuring nine trailblazing ventures.

Among them:

• Iterative Health (USA): Founded by surgeon Jonathan Ng, this medtech company uses AI to enhance gastrointestinal diagnostics. Its AI system can detect polyps in just 17 milliseconds and has been deployed across 300 U.S. medical facilities. The company has raised approximately USD 200 million to date.

• Polybee (Singapore): Founded by aerodynamics engineer Siddharth Jadhav, Polybee uses autonomous micro-drones to pollinate indoor farms. Its scalable technology has already been validated by major agricultural firms, including glasshouse growers in the UK.

Call for Global Student Innovators

SMU is inviting the next generation of entrepreneurial changemakers to submit their business plans at lkygbpc.smu.edu.sg. Applications for the 12th edition close on April 30, 2025.

For partnership or media enquiries, please contact: iie@smu.edu.sg

About the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition

Organised by SMU’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the LKYGBPC is a biennial global startup challenge. It is named after Singapore’s founding Prime Minister and embodies his visionary spirit. The competition unites student-founders from top entrepreneurial universities to reimagine solutions for global challenges. For more, visit: smu.sg/lkygbpc

About the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE)

SMU’s IIE supports entrepreneurs through equity-free incubation, student clubs, training programmes, and a vibrant innovation ecosystem. IIE also hosts the LKYGBPC, which serves as a global platform for student innovators. For more, visit: iie.smu.edu.sg

About Singapore Management University (SMU)

Established in 2000, SMU is a leading university in Asia known for research with global impact and innovative experiential learning. With over 13,000 students across undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional programmes, SMU cultivates global citizens and changemakers through its city campus and strategic partnerships. Learn more at: smu.edu.sg