LKYGBPC Roadshow 2025 - The journey of connecting, learning, and inspiring the startup community

16 Mar, 2025

On the morning of March 8, 2025, Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition Roadshow 2025 (LKYGBPC Roadsshow 2025) introduction program was successfully held at Hall B1.302, Campus B UEH, attracting over 200 students, young startup founders and industry experts. The event was co-organized by UEH Institute of Innovation, Institute of Smart City and Management - UEH College of Technology and Design, and the SMU Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, with the support of the Business Startup Support Center (BSSC). This program not only helps startups gain a deeper understanding of the entrepreneurial journey, technology commercialization and fundraising strategy, but also provides opportunities to connect with influential individuals and organizations within the innovation ecosystem.

Overview of the program

The event was attended by leading experts in the fields of Technology, Urban Development, Smart City, Sustainable Development, and Innovative Entrepreneurship, including: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh - Dean of Institute of Smart City and Management, UEH College of Technology and Design; Dr. Sze Tiam Lin - Senior Consultant at Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, SMU (Singapore); Dr. Le Khanh Duy - Senior Consultant at Technology and User Experience at the Institute of Innovation, UEH College of Technology and Design and Mr. Paul Nguyen - Founder and Growth Director at MET EV.

Sustainable Cities & Green Transportation - The Future Trends of Entrepreneurship

The LKYGBPC Roadshow 2025 opens up a new perspective on sustainable city and green transportation - two rapidly growing fields that offer numerous opportunities for startups.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh presented at the event

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh gave a presentation on the challenges and opportunities in sustainable urban development, emphasizing the role of innovation in addressing environmental issues and smart urban planning.

Mr. Paul Nguyen (CGO MET EV) at the event

Mr. Paul Nguyen (CGO MET EV) continued with the topic of green transportation, introducing advanced technologies in this field and how startups can participate, leveraging the trends in clean energy and smart vehicles to create a greater impact. Beyond focusing on technology, MET EV has also created an "Experience Center" - a space where customers can naturally experience electric vehicles, combining a café with a product exhibition area. MET EV aims to connect consumers with sustainable products and services, contributing to the development of a green transportation ecosystem and a circular economy.

These insights not only helped participants broaden their perspectives but also sparked many potential entrepreneurial ideas in fields that have positively impacted society.

Opportunities and challenges for startups in the field of sustainable urban solutions

In-depth discussion session with the speakers

One of the highlights of the event was the in-depth discussion session with the engagement with leading industry experts. The discussion revolved around entrepreneurial trends, market expansion opportunities and challenges startups face in the context of sustainable cities and green technology.

The experts provided practical insights into how startups leverage technology to solve urban issues, optimize resources and scale their businesses.

From research ideas to practical implementation

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh emphasized that each field has its own unique problems and challenges, which significantly impact society, urbanization, and sustainable development. She encouraged researchers and innovators to boldly implement their ideas, receive real feedback and refine their products. It is crucial for researchers and innovators to identify ideas and solutions that effectively address these challenges in the most efficient way possible.

She also introduced the Living-Lab model at UEH, a platform that helps researchers bring projects into practice with a focus on beneficiaries. By continuously updating user feedback, Living-Lab bridges the gap between research and practical application, thereby optimizing products to meet real market needs.

Business Perspective: Flexibility & User-Centric

Mr. Paul Nguyen emphasized that while startups may not conduct in-depth research like scientists, they have a significant advantage in working directly with customers. This enables them to flexibly adjust their business models and optimize products to meet customer needs and target market demands effectively.

He suggested applying Design Thinking to gain a deeper understanding of customer behavior, thereby developing more suitable solutions. Additionally, co-creation with users plays a crucial role, allowing startups not only to listen to customers but also to collaborate with them in building and refining products.

To encourage users to adopt new technology, startups must accurately identify their target customer segments and create conditions for them to experience the product naturally. The initial success of early adopters can gradually spread, fostering momentum for broader-scale change in the market and society.

Key factors determining the success of Spin-off projects

For a project from the research lab to succeed in the market, startups need more than just a great idea or breakthrough technology - they must have a market entry strategy. Dr. Le Khanh Duy emphasized the importance of building a network of strategic partners. A startup not only needs a good product but also a business team, market research and effective marketing. The suitable partners can help the business scale and grow more sustainably.

Meanwhile, Dr. Sze Tiam Lin focused on technology commercialization strategies. He argued that for a startup to truly create value, they need to deeply understand customer needs and develop products that precisely meet those needs. Protecting intellectual property (IP) from the early stages is also a crucial factor in ensuring a competitive advantage for the business.

Finally, Dr. Sze and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh shared insights about the government support programs in Vietnam, Singapore and other countries for research projects and startups in fields of smart city and sustainable development. However, the reality shows that many policies have not kept up with the pace of technological advancement. Therefore, startups need to proactively explore and flexibly adjust their strategies to effectively leverage available support resources.

LKYGBPC 2025 (Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition 2025) - A breakthrough opportunity for startups

In the event, representatives from SMU IIE provided an overview of LKYGBPC 2025, one of the most prestigious global entrepreneurship competitions, with a total prize value of up to 45 billion VND. Participating startups not only receive financial support but also gain access to a network of experienced mentors, connections with top investors, and insights from past winning startups. The organizers also detailed the participation criteria, application process, and benefits, helping teams prepare thoroughly to take on the challenge. Over more than two decades of development, LKYGBPC has expanded from 200 entries in 2002 to 1,000 entries from 1,100 educational institutions worldwide in 2023.

A testament to the competition’s impact is the success story of Yebezlab, the innovative startup that won LKYGBPC 2023. At the event, Nicholas Katesorn, co-founder of Yebezlab, shared how LKYGBPC was one of the first major global startup competitions for aspiring innovators, aiming to solve pressing global challenges. By leveraging the competition’s opportunities, Yabezlab transformed its idea into a viable business model, quickly generating market value. Nicholas emphasized that the fundraising journey is not just about finances but also the art of persuading investors to trust and commit long-term. He also shared strategies for international business market expansion and adapting to different cultures and business models. Yebezlab’s story inspired and offered valuable lessons for startups.

The Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition is a launchpad for innovation, offering opportunities to explore new technologies and affirming the role of the younger generation in shaping the future. UEH hopes that Vietnamese startups and students will bring creative solutions and leave their mark at this prestigious competition. The insights shared by speakers are expected to inspire, ignite creativity and help elevate entrepreneurial projects to a new level.

If you are a potential startup, don’t miss the opportunity to participate in this competition!

Find more details about the competition here: https://lkygbpc.smu.edu.sg/

The organizing committee presented flowers to thank the speakers

Group photo session to commemorate the event

News and photos: UEH Institute of Innovation, Institute of Smart City and Management