KUMAR SUSTAINABILITY
& INNOVATION PRIZE KSIP
About the Prize Prize Structure
The Kumar Sustainability & Innovation Prize (KSIP)
is a prestigious competition designed to cultivate 1st Prize: 2nd & 3rd Prize:
entrepreneurship and innovation among students
from Institutes of Higher Learning in Singapore and
S$50,000 S$25,000
each
overseas. Themed "Digital Innovations for a
Sustainable Future," KSIP inspires participants to The prize money will be disbursed in two instalments:
develop most promising and impactful solutions to • 50% within one month of the Prize announcement
address sustainability issues or introduce • 50% a er six (6) months, on condition of
innovations that benefit the local and global satisfactory progress reports by the winning teams.
communities.
Key Benefits
Shortlisted teams will have access to invaluable resources, including mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs,
guidance from industry experts, and opportunities to connect with potential investors.
NTU Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Submission Requirements
Participating teams are required to submit the following online:
• Project Summary (PDF or MS Word document of no more than 1,000 words)
• Video presentation (no more than 100 seconds)
All content must be in English.
Eligibility Criteria
• Open to all current matriculated students (full-time) of Institutes of Higher Learning in
Singapore and overseas partner universities invited by the NTU Entrepreneurship Academy at the time
of registration.
• Each team must consist of a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) participants.
• Projects can be at the idea stage, venture plan stage, or early start-up stage.
• At least one (1) team member must be a founder of the project and serve as the pitch lead.
• Disclosure of prior funding, grants, or awards from other competitions or institutions is mandatory.
• The Prize Selection Committee reserves the right to determine eligibility.
NTU Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Evaluation criteria
Teams will be judged on the unique value proposition of their proposed solution, market potential,
business model, and execution for both shortlisting and final competition on the Grand Finale.
Criteria Description Weightage
Problem-Solution • Is there a specific pain point identified? 20%
• What is the unique value proposition of the solution?
• Is the solution innovative, in terms of technology, business model,
IP, value proposition, etc...
Market Potential • Would the solution (a product or service) lead to significant impact 20%
on an area of sustainability or innovation (e.g., climate change,
energy efficiency, food sufficiency or healthcare)?
• What is the addressable market size?
• Could it be quantified in terms of growth and trend?
Business Model • If it is for-profit, what is the revenue model? Who pays? 30%
What are the distribution channels? Is the business scalable?
• If it is non-profit, are there clear social benefits and demonstration
on positive and measurable impact on the society, people,
community, and how?
Execution • Can the founder, key team members, and advisors operate and 30%
scale a successful business?
• Highlight industry knowledge, skillset, leadership, relationships,
key successes, and failures.
• Demonstrate passion and commitment to develop and implement
the project in Singapore; specific indication (proposed by the team)
on the measurable outcome in six months or one year, the
milestones, and proposed ways to update on the project's progress.
NTU Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Mentorship
Shortlisted teams will be paired with a mentor, who will
provide guidance in the development of their projects
before the Grand Finale.
Grand Finale
Shortlisted teams will have the opportunity to showcase
their projects and products through a pitching competition
and poster exhibition to a panel of judges, mentors and
guests attending the event. Additionally, a forum and panel
discussion will equip participants with knowledge and skills
related to the theme of KSIP.
Contact Information
[email protected] @ntupreneur
NTU Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Winning Teams
KSIP 2023
Winner: Team Carbonstruction
This project developed carbon-negative building materials
to reduce global carbon emissions by 1% annually. It was a
significant step towards environmental sustainability.
1st runner-up: Team Moonbeam
Promoting circular food systems and resource conservation,
this innovation transforms brewery le overs into nutritious
snacks, thus reducing food waste.
2nd runner-up: Team Eupheus
Enhancing education access through bite-sized educational
videos that extend beyond the conventional classrooms and
curriculum for under-served Southeast Asian youths.
NTU Innovation and Entrepreneurship
KSIP 2024
Winner: Team PasteCool
Addressing urban heat, this specially engineered
passive cooling paint lowers temperatures and
minimises energy consumption.
1st runner-up: Team Noshinom
The team contributes to a circular economy by
transforming surplus and blemished fruits and
vegetables into freeze-dried smoothie crumbs to
mitigate food waste and offers nutritious alternatives.
2nd runner-up: Team Valor
Reducing food waste through a cyclical process of
upcycling unsold or expired bread as feed for Black
Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae, and the frass produced by
the BSF is in turn used as feed for fishes.
NTU Innovation and Entrepreneurship
