GIF 2025 Makes Standalone Debut With $25,000 Top Prize For Age-Inclusive Startups

Singapore, 11 July 2025 – The Geronpreneurship Innovation Festival (GIF) returned this year with a new milestone – for the first time, the event was held independently of the World Ageing Festival, underscoring the Singapore University of Social Sciences’ (SUSS) growing leadership in geronpreneurship and age-inclusive innovation.

Organised under the Ngee Ann Kongsi Social Impact Hub, the event themed “The Power of Purpose in Ageing” drew over 700 participants and featured a dynamic mix of keynotes, panel discussions, exhibitions and performances exploring innovation in ageing. 

Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Education; and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration delivered the opening speech at SUSS’ Geronpreneurship Innovation Festival 2025.

At the heart of the programme was the Pitch for Good Grand Finals, a regional startup competition that saw applications from over 10 countries, including Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, India, Vietnam, and France. Drawing from this pool of contestants, 12 standout teams from across Asia were shortlisted to pitch age-inclusive solutions in eldercare, digital health and inclusive design.

Finalists competed in two categories – ideation-stage student projects and post-revenue startups – with top honours awarded to SoundEye, winner of the Pitch for Good Gold Category ($25,000). The Pitch for Good Silver Category ($5,000) and Special Mention Award ($5,000) winners were Sentinan and MIEA Health respectively. Additionally, the Tzu Chi Humanistic Award ($10,000), supported by Tzu Chi Foundation and open to all participating applicants, was presented to Marymount Labs in recognition of their compassion-driven innovation. Beyond the cash prize, the team will also receive expert mentorship, coaching, and a valuable 12-month test-bedding opportunity to bring their solution to life.

Winners of the Pitch for Good Grand Finals 2025.

Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Education; and Minister-in-charge of Social Service Integration, graced the event as Guest-of-Honour and delivered the opening speech. Professor Tan Tai Yong, President of SUSS, and Professor Robbie Goh, Provost of SUSS, also addressed the audience.

Professor Tan Tai Yong said, “We’ve witnessed a powerful shift in Singapore and across the region where ageing is no longer seen as a burden, but as a space for purpose and innovation. At SUSS, our work in geronpreneurship blends applied research, enterprise, and lived experience to drive real-world impact. Platforms like GIF open new possibilities, showing how age-inclusive innovation can unlock untapped potential, spark meaningful collaboration, and improve lives across generations.”

Now in its third year, GIF has grown into a regional platform for changemakers to co-create solutions that support older adults in ageing well, from caregiving innovations and digital inclusion to purpose-driven community initiatives.

Festival Highlights: Innovation, Inclusion and Intergenerational Exchange

Beyond the pitch stage, GIF 2025 featured a range of sessions exploring the intersections of ageing, technology, policy and community. Sessions ranged from intergenerational collaboration in education and entrepreneurship, to age-positive business building and inclusive design.

Key highlights included:

• A live intergenerational music performance Making Music Across Generations by social enterprise I’m Soul Inc and the SUSS Music Interest Group, where seniors and persons with special needs used Soundbeam technology to create music through movement.
• An Exhibition Arena that showcased student projects, startup demos and community initiatives addressing caregiving, ageing-in-place, and lifelong learning.
• Panel discussions on intergenerational entrepreneurship, inclusive business design, and reframing ageing in education and enterprise.
  

GIF is a signature initiative of the Ngee Ann Kongsi Social Impact Hub, established through a S$10 million gift to SUSS. The Hub supports purpose-driven innovation through research, education and entrepreneurship, with ageing as a central pillar.

For more information on the Geronpreneurship Innovation Festival 2025, please visit: https://www.suss.edu.sg/life-at-suss/student-experiences/entrepreneurship/gif2025.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Ms Melissa Ho
Public Relations Executive
Singapore University of Social Sciences
E: [email protected]
T: +65 6248 9138

Mr Kenneth Huang
Consultant
IN.FOM on behalf of Singapore University of Social Sciences
E: [email protected]
T: +65 9339 5380