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Top 15 Startup Competitions for Early-Stage Startups in Asia in 2025

Top 15 Startup Competitions for Early-Stage Startups in Asia in 2025

Asia's vibrant startup ecosystem is expected to thrive in 2025, offering a plethora of opportunities for early-stage startups to showcase their innovations, connect with potential investors, and gain invaluable mentorship. Here’s a comprehensive list of the Top 15 Startup Competitions for Early-Stage Startups in Asia in 2025, detailing each competition's focus, prizes, eligibility, deadlines, and more.
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1. PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator Program 2025

Organizer: PepsiCo
Focus/Industry: Circular Economy, Sustainable Agriculture, and Climate Action
Prizes: $20,000 USD grant for all 10 finalists, additional $100,000 USD for the winner, mentorship, and market access
Eligibility Criteria: Early-stage startups (pre-revenue up to $7M USD in sales), operations in APAC, mission-driven innovations, and in-lab proof of concept.
Geographic Focus: Asia Pacific
Application Deadline: Not specifically mentioned, but likely in early 2025
Learn more about PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator Program
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2. MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific Accelerator Program 2025

Organizer: MedTech Innovator
Focus/Industry: MedTech and Healthcare
Prizes: Up to $300,000 USD in cash and other awards, mentorship, and visibility
Eligibility Criteria: Best-in-class startups across the Asia Pacific region in any stage of development
Geographic Focus: Asia Pacific
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025
Explore MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific
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3. GITEX ASIA Supernova Pitch Competition

Organizer: GITEX ASIA
Focus/Industry: Various Tech Sectors
Prizes: Over $100,000 USD prize pool, exposure to global investors, networking, potential mentorship
Eligibility Criteria: Innovative ideas or startups
Geographic Focus: Asia
Application Deadline: March 31, 2025
Event Dates: April 23-25, 2025
Discover GITEX ASIA Supernova

4. Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC)

Organizer: Singapore Management University (SMU)
Focus/Industry: Urban Solutions and Sustainability
Prizes: Access to business networks in Southeast Asia, mentorship, and Venture Capital Office Hours.
Eligibility Criteria: Young founders from around the globe with ideas focused on urban solutions and sustainability.
Geographic Focus: Global, with a focus on Southeast Asia
Application Deadline: Applications opened on January 16, 2025
Learn more about LKYGBPC

5. Black Hat Asia 2025 Startup Spotlight Competition

Organizer: Black Hat
Focus/Industry: Cybersecurity
Prizes: Turnkey startup booth at Black Hat Asia 2025, speaking session, call with an Omdia Cybersecurity Analyst
Eligibility Criteria: Startup company 5 years old or less with less than 50 employees.
Geographic Focus: Asia
Application Deadline: March 3, 2025
Explore Black Hat Startup Spotlight

6. AIBC Asia Pitch

Organizer: AIBC
Focus/Industry: Emerging Technologies
Prizes: Opportunity for equity investment, booth at StartUp Village, networking
Eligibility Criteria: Startups in emerging technology
Geographic Focus: Asia
Application Deadline: To be determined
Event Date: June 1-4, 2025
Learn more about AIBC Asia Pitch

7. Elevator Pitch Competition (EPiC) 2025

Organizer: Not specified, but event in Hong Kong
Focus/Industry: Global startups expanding into Asia
Prizes: Access to investors and corporate partners
Eligibility Criteria: Global and local mid-to-late stage startups
Geographic Focus: Asia (Hong Kong)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Explore EPiC 2025
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8. JEC Composites Startup Booster

Organizer: JEC
Focus/Industry: Composites and Advanced Materials
Prizes: Participation in JEC World 2025, visibility
Eligibility Criteria: Entrepreneurs, SMEs, startups, and academic spin-offs with innovative projects in Composites and Advanced Materials.
Geographic Focus: Global (with a focus on Asia)
Application Deadline: Finalists revealed during JEC World 2025 Premiere on January 13th
Learn more about JEC Composites Startup Booster

9. RISE Conference Startup Program

Organizer: RISE
Focus/Industry: Technology
Prizes: Exposure to global business leaders and investors
Eligibility Criteria: Early-stage, high-potential startups.
Geographic Focus: Global
Application Deadline: Not specified
Discover RISE Conference Startup Program

10. GITEX ASIA Founders & Venture Summit

Organizer: GITEX ASIA
Focus/Industry: Technology
Prizes: Platform to connect with investors and collaborate on investment strategies
Eligibility Criteria: Startups
Geographic Focus: Asia
Event Date: April 23-25, 2025
Explore GITEX ASIA Founders & Venture Summit

11. Tech in Asia Conference 2025

Organizer: Tech in Asia
Focus/Industry: Technology & Digital
Prizes: Access to investors, speakers, and workshops
Eligibility Criteria: Early-stage startups looking to expand
Geographic Focus: Asia
Application Deadline: To be determined
Event Date: September 2025
Learn more about Tech in Asia Conference

12. Startup World Cup Asia 2025

Organizer: Pegasus Tech Ventures
Focus/Industry: Various Sectors
Prizes: $1 million investment prize for the Global Champion
Eligibility Criteria: Startup founders and innovators
Geographic Focus: Asia
Application Deadline: March 15, 2025
Discover Startup World Cup Asia

13. Asia-Pacific Regional Startup Pitch Competitions (APPSC)

Organizer: Various regional partners
Focus/Industry: Various
Prizes: Cash prizes, mentorship, and networking opportunities
Eligibility Criteria: Startups of any industry
Geographic Focus: Asia-Pacific
Application Deadline: June 1, 2025
Explore APPSC

14. Startup Accelerate Program 2025

Organizer: Leading universities in Asia
Focus/Industry: Education Technology
Prizes: Seed funding and mentorship opportunities
Eligibility Criteria: Education-focused startups
Geographic Focus: Asia
Application Deadline: April 20, 2025
Learn more about Startup Accelerate Program

15. Green Startup Challenge Asia 2025

Organizer: Eco-focused organizations
Focus/Industry: Sustainability and Environmental Solutions
Prizes: Funding and corporate partnerships
Eligibility Criteria: Eco-friendly startups at any stage
Geographic Focus: Asia
Application Deadline: May 30, 2025
Discover Green Startup Challenge Asia
These competitions represent unique opportunities for early-stage startups to gain access to funding, mentorship, and invaluable connections within the thriving Asian startup ecosystem in 2025.
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FAQ

Q: What competition supports startups focused on sustainability?
A: The PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator Program 2025 is aimed at startups in the circular economy and sustainable agriculture. Learn more about PepsiCo Greenhouse.
Q: Which event is specifically for MedTech startups?
A: The MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific Accelerator Program 2025 focuses on MedTech and healthcare innovations. Discover MedTech Innovator.
Q: Where can I pitch my tech startup for global visibility?
A: The GITEX ASIA Supernova Pitch Competition offers a substantial prize pool and exposure to global investors. Explore GITEX ASIA Supernova.
Q: What competition is organized by the Singapore Management University?
A: The Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) encourages urban solutions and sustainability innovations. Learn more about LKYGBPC.
Q: Which competition focuses on cybersecurity startups?
A: The Black Hat Asia 2025 Startup Spotlight Competition is specifically designed for cybersecurity startups. Discover Black Hat Startup Spotlight.
Q: Is there an event for emerging technology startups in Asia?
A: Yes, the AIBC Asia Pitch offers networking and investment opportunities for startups in emerging technologies. Learn more about AIBC.
Q: Where can I access investors for mid-to-late stage startups in Hong Kong?
A: The Elevator Pitch Competition (EPiC) 2025 helps connect global and local mid-to-late stage startups with investors. Explore EPiC.
Q: What is the JEC Composites Startup Booster focused on?
A: The JEC Composites Startup Booster supports innovative projects in composites and advanced materials. Discover JEC World Startup Booster.
Q: Which event connects startups with global business leaders?
A: The RISE Conference Startup Program provides exposure to global business leaders and investors. Learn more about RISE Conference.
Q: What is the focus of the GITEX ASIA Founders & Venture Summit?
A: The GITEX ASIA Founders & Venture Summit focuses on technology and investment strategies for startups in Asia. Explore GITEX ASIA Summit.

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
2025-05-18 08:09 Top 15