SUSS Venture Builder Demo Day 2025: Witnessing the Rise of Social Impact Startups in Singapore
Date: 5 May 2025
News Type:Highlights
School/Department: Office of Entrepreneurship
On May 5, 2025, the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) played host to a dynamic assembly of entrepreneurs, innovators, and key industry partners for the highly anticipated 12th Venture Builder Demo Day. This annual event served as a vibrant celebration of groundbreaking ideas poised to generate significant and lasting social impact.
Venture Builder Cohort 12 group picture with Judges
The afternoon commenced with a heartening welcome address delivered by Ms Agnes Kwang, office of Registrar. In her address, Ms Agnes Kwang mentioned “In the last 5 years, we have supported 232 participants in creating 185 ventures through the VB programme and funding of more than $1.5 million.
Following her speech, the event commenced with a panel discussion with experts to engage in a thought-provoking discussion on the pivotal roles that both institutions and individuals play in championing and nurturing the growth of impact-led ventures.
From left to right: Mr Alfie Othman, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise, raiSE; Mr Keith Chua, Trustee, Mrs Lee Choon Guan Trust Fund; Mdm Halimah Yacob, Chancellor of the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and Former President of the Republic of Singapore; Ms Pamela Chng, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Bettr Group; and Mr Rafael Alzate, Specialist, Entrepreneurship, SUSS, who also served as the panel moderator.
The true heart of the Demo Day belonged to the five exceptional finalists from the SUSS Venture Builder 12 cohort. Over the preceding three months, these dedicated entrepreneurs channelled their passion and relentless effort into developing innovative solutions that directly address some of society’s most pressing challenges. As each finalist took their turn on stage to pitch their ventures, the atmosphere in the room crackled with excitement and a shared sense of purpose – a powerful testament to their unwavering dedication and the transformative potential of their solutions.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the five outstanding presenters of the 12th SUSS Venture Builder Demo Day 2025:
Mr Vinod PR, Co-founder, Alegres Ventures provides a smart resource allocation platform to help non-profit organizations optimize resource allocation, reduce waste, and provide actionable insights for better decision making.
Mr Tan Bing Wen, Founder, CheckMate helps people stay safe and informed online by providing on-demand fact checking on WhatsApp, powered by generative AI (GenAI)
Ms Chelsea Ho, Founder, Picknic a precision nutrition companion built to support cancer patients and survivors, providing clinically informed strategies and adaptive meal plans personalised to each individual’s health profile and evolving needs
Dr Ho Chin Keong, Founder, Sentinan delivers preventive cardiac care through an accessible, AI-powered digital stethoscope. We equip frontline healthcare providers and caregivers with intuitive, explainable technology that enables early detection and timely intervention — especially for underserved and aging communities
Ms Claudia Chua, Founder, SilentConvo an AI-powered wellness platform that acts as a pre-care agent, helping women build emotional fluency and detect subtle shifts in their wellbeing — starting with menstruation
Each of these remarkable ventures distinguished themselves not only through their creativity and robust business models but, more importantly, through their profound potential to instigate meaningful and enduring social change. We also express our sincere gratitude to our esteemed panel of judges, whose invaluable expertise and insightful evaluations were instrumental in identifying the ventures with the most significant impact potential. Their guidance and support will undoubtedly be invaluable as these entrepreneurs embark on the next stages of their journeys.
From left to right: Mr Alfie Othman, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise, raiSE; Mr Keith Chua, Trustee, Mrs Lee Choon Guan Trust Fund; Mdm Halimah Yacob, Chancellor of the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and Former President of the Republic of Singapore; Ms Pamela Chng, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Bettr Group; and Mr Rafael Alzate, Specialist, Entrepreneurship, SUSS, who also served as the panel moderator.
Beyond the compelling pitches, the SUSS Venture Builder Demo Day fostered a strong sense of community, emphasizing the crucial relationships that bridge the gap between a bold vision and tangible reality. Entrepreneurs had the invaluable opportunity to connect with potential funders, strategic partners, experienced mentors, and representatives from the media, opening doors to exciting new collaborations that will undoubtedly fuel their growth and amplify their social impact.
“Venture building programmes such as the SUSS Venture Builder are critical in catalysing the growth of purpose-driven enterprises that place impact at the heart of innovation. Non-dilutive funding plays a pivotal role in empowering early-stage founders to pursue bold, socially meaningful solutions without compromising their mission.” - Mdm Halimah Yacob, Chancellor of the Singapore University of Social
Attendees at the Venture Builder Programme Demo Day 2025.
We are deeply appreciative of the ongoing and generous support from the Mrs Lee Choon Guan Enterprising Spirit Fund and the Ngee Ann Kongsi Grant. Their commitment made it possible for this year’s Demo Day to proudly feature both the Silver Track and the Impact Track – vital initiatives that specifically empower ventures dedicated to driving meaningful social change, with a particular focus on enhancing the lives of seniors and underserved communities.
Reflecting on this truly inspiring day, one key takeaway is clear: the SUSS Venture Builder Demo Day 2025 was far more than just a showcase of startups – it offered a compelling glimpse into a future shaped by passion, purpose, and the powerful belief that business can be a significant force for good.
The journey of innovation and impact continues! We eagerly anticipate Pitch for Good 2025, a key event within the Geronpreneurship Innovation Festival. This upcoming platform will see innovators share their cutting-edge solutions aimed at improving the lives of seniors, encompassing areas such as enhanced health and well-being, and the creation of inclusive community and wellness programmes. If you are building a venture with the potential to create a lasting social impact, we warmly invite you to join us.
Sign up here by 18 May 2025: https://www.suss.edu.sg/GIF2025!