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2025-05-20 07:47 Top 15

Top 15 Startup Competitions for Deeptech Startups in Asia in 2025

Top 15 Startup Competitions for Deeptech Startups in Asia in 2025

As the deeptech ecosystem evolves, Asia emerges as a central hub for innovative startups looking to tackle complex challenges. Through many competitions, these startups can showcase their groundbreaking ideas, gain visibility, and connect with vital networks. Here's a detailed overview of the Top 15 startup competitions for deeptech startups in Asia expected in 2025.
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1. Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC)

Focus: Urban Solutions and Sustainability
Organizer: Singapore Management University (SMU)
Details: A biennial competition aimed at deep tech solutions for sustainable urban environments, the 12th edition features a prize pool exceeding S$1 million. Finalists have the opportunity for valuable networking with prominent Southeast Asian business families and venture capital firms.
Key Dates: Finals from September 29 to October 2, 2025
Partners: Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
Learn more about LKYGBPC
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2. Hello Tomorrow APAC Challenge

Focus: Early-stage deep tech startups in Asia Pacific
Organizer: Hello Tomorrow
Details: A platform providing startups the chance to showcase their solutions, gain connections, and access funding. Winners often gain entry to prestigious stages like SLINGSHOT in Singapore and the Global Challenge in Paris.
Key Dates: Expected in late 2024 or early 2025
Prizes/Benefits: Equity-free funding, connections with global investors, and one-on-one meetings on Investor Day
Explore Hello Tomorrow APAC
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3. SLINGSHOT

Focus: Deep tech startups
Organizer: Enterprise Singapore (collaborative effort)
Details: An exciting competition for the best deep tech startups, featuring an immersion program for 50 top startups in Singapore alongside mentorship with AWS, enhancing their business reach.
Key Dates: Expected to take place later in the year
Prizes/Benefits: Networking and exposure to investors, AWS support, and Singapore immersion opportunities
Learn more about SLINGSHOT

4. Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge

Focus: Deep tech startups solving global challenges
Organizer: Hello Tomorrow
Details: A global initiative that invites applications globally and converges at the Global Summit in Paris. It provides startups with coaching and connections with investors.
Key Dates: Summit set for March 13-14, 2025
Prizes/Benefits: €100K Grand Prize and recognition as a Deep Tech Pioneer among other significant prizes
Discover Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge

5. Startup Mahakumbh

Focus: Broad startup innovation
Organizer: FICCI, ASSOCHAM, IVCA, and Bootstrap Foundation
Details: A major event in India showcasing over 3,000 exhibitors and 10,000 startups, facilitating interactions across multiple sectors, including deep tech and agritech.
Key Dates: April 3-5, 2025
Prizes/Benefits: Opportunities for visibility, networking, and potential funding connections
Learn more about Startup Mahakumbh

6. Tech in Asia Startup Arena

Focus: Southeast Asian startups participating in a pitch battle format
Organizer: Tech in Asia
Details: This competition invites startups to compete for visibility and funding opportunities in a pitch battle that showcases both talent and innovation, involving 300+ startups each year.
Key Dates: Likely late 2025; specific dates forthcoming
Prizes/Benefits: Prize money, media exposure, and an exhibition booth at the Startup Factory
Explore Tech in Asia

7. Deep Tech Venture of the Year (Japan)

Focus: Ventures addressing societal issues
Organizer: Techplanter
Details: An awards program in Japan recognizing innovative deep tech ventures that tackle crucial societal challenges.
Key Dates: January 29, 2025
Prizes/Benefits: Recognition and access to a vast network of industry peers
Learn more about Deep Tech Venture of the Year
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8. AIvolution III (Startupbootcamp)

Focus: AI and Web3 deep tech startups
Organizer: Startupbootcamp
Details: An accelerator program centered on innovation within AI and Web3 industries, structured to include global startup participation.
Key Dates: March 7, 2025
Prizes/Benefits: Access to mentorship, resources, and networks to foster growth
Discover AIvolution III

9. Hello Tomorrow Japan Challenge

Focus: Japanese deep tech startups
Organizer: Hello Tomorrow Japan
Details: A pitch contest for Japanese deep tech startups that allows the winning team to participate in the global Hello Tomorrow Challenge in Paris.
Key Dates: Finals on December 6, 2024, with global participation in March 2025
Prizes/Benefits: Significant visibility and networking opportunities
Learn more about Hello Tomorrow Japan Challenge

10. Imec Technology Forum (ITF) Panel on Deep Tech Venturing in South Korea and Southeast Asia

Focus: Opportunities and challenges in deeptech
Organizer: Imec
Details: Although not a competition, this forum provides insights into market validation, investor relations, and technology access, valuable for deep tech startups.
Key Dates: Not specified but previous years suggest it could return
Prizes/Benefits: Knowledge exchange and networking opportunities
Learn more about Imec ITF

11. Pitch at Founders Forum

Focus: Global startups across industries
Organizer: Founders Forum
Details: A global stage for startup founders to pitch their innovations and receive guidance and potential funding from established investors.
Key Dates: Not explicitly stated for 2025, but known to be an annual event
Prizes/Benefits: Opportunity to network with industry luminaries and gain visibility
Explore Founders Forum

12. ASIA TECH X Singapore 2025

Focus: Various tech sectors, including deeptech
Organizer: Informa Tech
Details: A premier tech event in Singapore for startups and innovators to showcase their projects and expertise, attracting global investors.
Key Dates: Date expected to be in May 2025
Prizes/Benefits: Networking, potential investment, and collaborative opportunities
Learn more about ASIA TECH X

13. Startup World Cup Asia Regional

Focus: Diverse tech startups
Organizer: Pegasus Tech Ventures
Details: This competition seeks extraordinary technology startups to pitch at regional levels, leading to the global world cup with substantial funding offered.
Key Dates: Expected in April 2025
Prizes/Benefits: Winner qualifies for a grand prize of $1M in funding at the World Cup finals
Discover Startup World Cup

14. Innovate4Water Challenge

Focus: Water-related innovation and deeptech
Organizer: UN-Habitat, and various partners
Details: A unique competition targeting startups focused on water technology solutions, catering to the critical global water issues.
Key Dates: Expected in August 2025
Prizes/Benefits: Mentorship and funding opportunities alongside various partnerships
Learn more about Innovate4Water

15. Global Startup Ecosystem Awards (GSEA)

Focus: Young entrepreneurial start-ups across sectors
Organizer: Entrepreneurs’ Organization
Details: Recognizing startups around the globe, categories include deeptech, enabling finalists to engage on international stage while garnering funding and mentorship.
Key Dates: Scheduled for spring 2025
Prizes/Benefits: Exposure to a global audience of investors and entrepreneurs
Discover GSEA
Note: Some competitions may not have finalized dates for 2025 yet, and some may be recurring. Please check the respective websites for the most up-to-date information.
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FAQ

Q: What is the focus of the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC)?
A: The LKYGBPC focuses on urban solutions and sustainability, offering a significant prize pool and connections with Southeast Asian business families and venture capital firms. Learn more about LKYGBPC.
Q: What opportunities does the Hello Tomorrow APAC Challenge provide for startups?
A: The Hello Tomorrow APAC Challenge offers platforms for connection, visibility, and funding, including equity-free funding and access to a global investor network. Discover more about Hello Tomorrow APAC Challenge.
Q: What benefits can startups expect from competing in SLINGSHOT?
A: SLINGSHOT provides exposure to potential investors, AWS support, and an immersion program in Singapore for the top startups, making it an exciting opportunity for deep tech startups. Learn more about SLINGSHOT.
Q: When will the Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge take place?
A: The Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge will culminate with its Global Summit in Paris on March 13-14, 2025, recognizing deep tech innovations worldwide. More details about the Global Challenge.
Q: What is Startup Mahakumbh, and what opportunities does it provide?
A: Startup Mahakumbh is a large-scale startup event in India featuring over 10,000 startups and 1,000 investors, offering networking and visibility for participants across various sectors. Explore Startup Mahakumbh.
Q: What does the Tech in Asia Startup Arena offer to startups?
A: The Tech in Asia Startup Arena is a pitch battle format event, providing startups with prize money, media coverage, and exposure to important investors. Find out more about Tech in Asia Startup Arena.
Q: When is the Deep Tech Venture of the Year award ceremony scheduled?
A: The Deep Tech Venture of the Year awards ceremony is set for January 29, 2025, recognizing ventures that address significant societal challenges in Japan. Learn more about the awards.
Q: What is AIvolution III, and when will it take place?
A: AIvolution III is an accelerator program designed for AI and Web3 startups, featuring mentorship and resources. It is scheduled to begin on March 7, 2025. More information on AIvolution III.
Q: What is the Hello Tomorrow Japan Challenge about?
A: The Hello Tomorrow Japan Challenge is a pitch contest for Japanese deep tech startups, offering the winner a chance to compete in the global Hello Tomorrow Challenge in Paris in March 2025. Explore more about the Japan Challenge.
Q: What does the Imec Technology Forum offer for deep tech startups?
A: While not a competition, the Imec Technology Forum provides valuable insights into opportunities and challenges for deep tech startups in South Korea and Southeast Asia, as well as networking potential. Learn more about Imec Technology Forum.

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.