Innovation Challenges

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Sustainable Protein Startup Competition
Challenge Owner(s)
Enterprise Singapore, NUS Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein
Organiser(s)
Enterprise Singapore, NUS Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein
Industry Type(s)
Agri-tech, Circular Economy & Sustainability, Food Manufacturing
Opportunities and Support Funding and in-kind support of up to S$175,000 and access to Singapore's comprehensive ecosystem resources
Application Start Date 1 August 2025
Application End Date 8 September 2025
Website Click here to learn more

About Challenge

Sustainable Protein Startup Competition

The Sustainable Protein Startup Competition aims to accelerate sustainable protein innovation. Organised by the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Enterprise Singapore, it will identify and support early-stage startups in sustainable protein solutions. The competition will focus on innovation across the following key themes:

1. Fermentation (microalgae, biomass)
2. Cell-cultured meat
3. Plant-based proteins
4. Safety & Toxicology

Be one of the top 8 startups selected to pitch your solution at the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit at the Singapore International Agri-Food Week (SIAW) in November 2025.

Finalists will be invited to attend the 3-day Summit and present live on stage to a judging panel of industry leaders and investors, as well as the Summit’s high-profile delegates.

Who can apply?
Startups from around the world are welcome!
To qualify for the grant, international startups must demonstrate efforts to anchor key activities in Singapore, including any of the following:

• Founders or core management team primarily based in Singapore.
• Commitment to create innovation jobs in Singapore.
• Commitment to conduct developmental activities locally (e.g. R&D, IP development, collaboration with local research institutes).

The competition is open and offered solely to business entities, in the themes listed above. Startups may be required, in the Organiser’s sole discretion, to provide proof of company registration by submitting a registration certificate issued within the last three months, or ongoing company registration/business profile, or any trade registry and proof ensuring the registration of the entity in the relevant country.

Register here!

Eligibility Criteria  

The competition is open and offered solely to business entities, in the themes listed above. Startups may be required, in the Organiser’s sole discretion, to provide proof of company registration by submitting a registration certificate issued within the last three months, or ongoing company registration/business profile, or any trade registry and proof ensuring the registration of the entity in the relevant country.   

Any technology-based startup that meets the following conditions are eligible to participate:  

  • Develops or possess innovation1

  • Has been registered within the past 10 years in their country of registration

  • Is not a subsidiary of a corporate entity2  

 Startups should have the goal of incorporating in Singapore. International startups will be required to demonstrate efforts to anchor key activities in Singapore as part of the disbursement milestones, including any of the following:   

  • Founders or core management team primarily based in Singapore

  • Commitment to create innovation jobs in Singapore

  • Commitment to conduct developmental activities locally (e.g. R&D, IP development, collaboration with local research institutes)  

Terms and Conditions   

To accept the grant, the applicant must:  

  • Dedicate a reasonable amount of their time on the business, not be employed full time by another employer and must be a key decision-maker in the company

  • Register / have registered a private limited company in Singapore

  • Have its business activities conducted wholly or mainly3 in Singapore  

 Enterprise Singapore reserves the rights to change the terms and conditions of the grant as may be specified and deemed necessary.  

Grant mechanism:   

  • The Startup SG Grant will be disbursed in at least 2 tranches across a 12-month period and each tranche will be tied to a certain product or business development milestones that are agreed upon3.

  • Startups must submit an application form (provided upon selection) proposing the intended product or business milestones for disbursement.

  • Enterprise Singapore will work with startups to finalise milestones, ensuring they are aligned with the startups’ developmental objectives and commensurate with the grant amount.  

 All the documents that may confirm the applicant’s eligibility may be required prior to awarding any prizes (e.g. identity document, registration certificate).  

 This competition is not open to employees and representatives of the organisers and the members of their families.  

 This competition is void in countries where it is prohibited or restricted by law.  

 1Innovation refers to any one of the following:   

  1. Develops, produces, or commercialises tech products, services, or platforms, OR  

  1. Holds a patent registered with an approved national IP institution, OR  

  1. Has an ongoing research collaboration with a research institution (contract of services is not considered to be research collaboration).   

2The enterprise is not a subsidiary of a corporate entity if it has more than 50% collective individual ownership at the point of incorporation.  

3Details to be worked out with Enterprise Singapore.