SingaporeBachelor, Master, PhD149 days leftCash prizesLee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition 2027 (S$2.5M+ in Prizes)
ForsaEduforsaedu.comOpportunity Overview
A free global competition for start-ups with at least one university student or recent graduate among the founders, with more than S$2.5 million in prizes and finals in Singapore. Apply by 31 March 2027. Singapore Management University (SMU), through its Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, runs the 13th Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition, a biennial pitch competition for urban solutions, sustainability and deep-tech start-ups, with two tracks and 12 focus areas. At least one founder must be enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate programme at any university worldwide, or have graduated in the past five years, and the company does not need to be incorporated. Applications are online and free from 27 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, with an early-bird deadline of 31 January 2027 for extra perks. Fifty finalists are selected between April and June 2027; two co-founders from each finalist team are eligible for sponsored airfare and accommodation to attend the Grand Finals in Singapore from 28 September to 1 October 2027, with mentoring beforehand. Prizes include two Chancellor's Cups of S$100,000 cash each, and finalists can apply to SMU's Urban SustaInnovator accelerator.
Funding Benefits & Coverage
3 BenefitsOver S$2.5 million in prizes
Including two Chancellor's Cups of S$100,000 each.
Airfare and accommodation for two co-founders
For each finalist team attending the finals in Singapore.
Mentoring and investor meetings
And a chance to join SMU's accelerator.
Eligibility & Acceptance Criteria
3 CriteriaAll nationalities worldwide
Required Documents
3 DocsFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Key questions and answers regarding eligibility, documents, and application steps for 2027 / 2028.
The venue is announced on the official website, from September 28, 2027 to October 1, 2027.
Funding type: Cash prizes. Announced benefits: Over S$2.5 million in prizes, Airfare and accommodation for two co-founders, Mentoring and investor meetings.
Eligible levels: Bachelor, Master, PhD.
The latest deadline we have is March 31, 2027. Dates can differ by university or programme, so confirm on the official website.
Required documents: Online team application on the competition platform, Description of the venture and business plan, Proof of university enrolment or graduation for a founder.
Apply directly on the official website: https://iie.smu.edu.sg/lkygbpc. ForsaEdu does not receive applications or charge any fee.
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Key Details
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About the scholarship
SingaporeSMU PhD Research Scholarships 2027 (Singapore Management University)
PhD scholarships at Singapore Management University covering tuition and paying international students up to S$4,300 a month. Most programmes close on 31 December 2026. SMU awards Tier 1 and Tier 2 research scholarships to admitted PhD students on a competitive basis at admission. They cover registration and subsidised tuition fees and pay international students a monthly stipend of S$4,300 (Tier 1), or S$3,100 (Tier 2) rising to S$3,600 after the qualifying examination (rates from 1 January 2026; not applicable to the PhD in Business – General Management). Awards are renewed yearly on good performance for the first 4 years. For the August 2027 intake, applications run from 1 August to 31 December 2026 for the PhDs in Accounting, Asian Urbanisms, Business, Economics and Psychology, and until 31 January 2027 for Computer Science, Information Systems and Law, Commerce and Technology. Offers are sent in March 2027, and early applicants may receive an early offer.
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