Image: GOH SMS Low Yen Ling (5th from left) and Dr Chua Tian Poh with the winners of the CTP Innovation Prize.
A generative AI platform that can turn a simple text prompt into engineering designs and connect users with manufacturers to build a prototype has won the S$100,000 top prize at the Chua Thian Poh Pinnacle Prize, a national student innovation and entrepreneurship competition organised by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore).
The S$100,000 top prize in the Chua Thian Poh Pinnacle Prize is one of the largest cash prizes for a student innovation competition in Singapore.
Developed by Singapore Polytechnic (SP) team BuilderLab, the platform allows users without engineering expertise to generate product concepts, 3D models and internal component layouts from a text description.
It can also recommend approaches for prototyping and manufacturing and connect users with manufacturing suppliers. In the last year, BuilderLab has supported more than 13 start-ups and partnered with more than 40 manufacturing suppliers across Asia.
The judges said BuilderLab stood out for taking a holistic approach to product development, combining design tools with real-world manufacturing and supply chain connections. They also highlighted its early traction and potential to shorten the journey from a product idea to a physical prototype.
The other top prizes went to NTU student teams Nexus Ionics and NatureRisk. Nexus Ionics, which is developing a lower-cost catalyst for green hydrogen production, took second place and S$50,000, while NatureRisk, which uses AI to assess nature-related risks to properties and other land-based assets, placed third and received S$30,000.
The prize presentation ceremony was graced by Guest of Honour Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and Trade and Industry.
Supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs
Professor Louis Phee, NTU’s Vice President (Innovation and Entrepreneurship), said: “The Chua Thian Poh Pinnacle Prize gives promising student innovators from across Singapore the opportunity to take their ideas further. The diversity of solutions from this year’s finalists shows how students are applying innovation to real-world challenges, from healthcare and sustainability to the future of our cities.
“With the support of the Chua Thian Poh Entrepreneurship Education Fund, we can provide these young innovators with the resources, exposure and opportunities to develop their ideas and take the next steps towards creating real-world impact.”
Dr Chua Thian Poh, Executive Chairman of Ho Bee Land, said: “In a world of rapid change and uncertainty, Singapore’s future will depend on the enterprise and ingenuity of our young people. We believe in investing early in their capabilities, so they can shape solutions and create opportunities for others. Through our partnership with NTU, we hope to see bold ideas become Singapore-grown ventures that contribute to our nation and hold their own on the global stage.”
Green hydrogen and climate risk solutions take second and third place
Nexus Ionics has developed a ruthenium-based catalyst for green hydrogen production that could reduce reliance on iridium, a scarce and expensive precious metal commonly used in proton exchange membrane water electrolysers. The catalyst has delivered comparable performance under laboratory test conditions.
The judges highlighted the team’s research capabilities, potential for customer adoption and resilience in overcoming setbacks as it works towards commercialisation.
NatureRisk is developing an AI platform that uses satellite imagery and more than 20 terabytes of environmental data to assess nature-related risks to properties and other land-based assets.
The judges highlighted its potential applications in climate risk reporting and insurance, while noting that securing ownership of its data and processes would be important for its long-term development.
The three winners were selected from 11 finalist teams from Singapore’s Institutes of Higher Learning, whose innovations span AI, healthcare, sustainability, robotics and support for small businesses.
Beyond the prize money, the winning teams will receive mentorship and support from mentors with industry experience to help them refine their ventures, strengthen their business models and progress towards commercialisation.
Receiving a special mention from the judges, ShopFrontSG, developed by students from NTU, the National University of Singapore and Singapore Management University, was lauded for addressing a societal need and its potential for positive social impact.
Their platform uses AI to help heartland merchants establish a digital presence from a photograph or short video of their shop, generating online listings and marketing content to make digitalisation more accessible to small neighbourhood businesses.
Chua Thian Poh Entrepreneurship Education Fund
The Chua Thian Poh Entrepreneurship Education Fund supports student entrepreneurship at NTU through funding, mentorship and opportunities to learn from experienced entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
The Chua Thian Poh Pinnacle Prize is one of three initiatives supported by the Fund. It also supports the Chua Thian Poh Distinguished Speaker Series and the Chua Thian Poh-NTU Seed Fund, which will provide funding to at least three NTU-affiliated start-ups or spin-offs from 2026 to 2030.
As part of the Distinguished Speaker Series, Professor Alberto Sangiovanni-Vincentelli of the University of California, Berkeley, a co-founder of Cadence Design Systems and Synopsys, spoke at the event on how ideas can be translated into technologies, ventures and real-world impact.
Together, the three initiatives aim to give aspiring founders a pathway from early ideas and exposure to experienced entrepreneurs, through to funding, mentorship and support for venture development.
