About the challenge

The UKSAEI Hackathon 2025 is an online hackathon for students from member institutions of UKSAEI. Themed Gerontology, it features three key focus areas.

This hackathon brings together universities from the UK and Singapore to collaborate on entrepreneurship and innovation, fostering a strong culture of purpose-driven innovation.

About UKSAEI

The UK-Singapore Universities Alliance for Entrepreneurship & Innovation was established in 2021 to share knowledge and facilitate collaboration between institutions in the two countries. In particular, the alliance seeks to facilitate engagement and collaboration between UK and Singapore universities on entrepreneurship and innovation.

Today, the Alliance brings together 16 world-leading universities from the UK and Singapore and sees growing membership to promote entrepreneurship and innovation through collaboration in knowledge exchanges, research, commercialisation and entrepreneurship training. Representatives from member universities participate in sub working groups, namely Think Tank, Research Collaboration and Student Exchange.

Visit UKSAEI website: https://www.uksaei.com/

Get started

  • Join the Discord server via the link: https://discord.gg/HMm6bwppfb
  • Participate in online discussions on the Devpost "Discussion" board or the Discord server "general-discussion" forum and find like-minded fellows to form a team with.
  • Form a team of 4-6 members, comprising both UK and Singapore students from at least three different institutions.
  • Inform the Admin of your team's name and members for the Admin to create your team's private discussion board and assign mentors.

Requirements

What to Build

Students will work in teams to create a practical startup idea addressing challenges in gerontology. They will explore a problem, develop a possible solution, identify who their idea is for, and consider its potential impact. Teams will also think about how their idea could reach people, what makes it different from others, and the strengths each team member brings. By the end, students will have a clear and workable concept to share with the judges.

What to Submit

A pitch deck with the following contents:

  1. Problem
  2. Solution
  3. Customer
  4. Market Size (TAM, SAM, SOM)
  5. Business Model/Revenue Model
  6. Market Adoption (Go-to-market strategy)
  7. Competition (use Competitive Mapping if possible)
  8. Competitive Advantages
  9. Team Members

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

2 non-cash prizes
Global Impact Startup Challenge 2026 (Singapore)
1 winner

For the top team, UK students will receive a sponsored trip (airfare, accommodation, and programme fees, capped at S$2,000 per pax) from the UK Science & Technology Network to join the challenge in Singapore. For Singapore students, participation in the programme will be free. (Find out more about Global Impact Startup Challenge: https://www.suss.edu.sg/life-at-suss/student-experiences/entrepreneurship/impact-startup-challenge/global-impact-startup-challenge-in-singapore)

Default Submission for the Pitch for Good 2026
3 winners

The top 3 teams earn direct entry into Pitch for Good 2026, subject to selection for the Grand Finals. (Past Pitch for Good: https://www.suss.edu.sg/life-at-suss/student-experiences/entrepreneurship/pitch-for-good)

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Dr Kimberley Smith

Dr Kimberley Smith
Associate Professor in Clinical Health Psychology, University of Surrey

Professor Victoria Tischler

Professor Victoria Tischler
Professor of Behavioural Science, University of Surrey

Dr Shelini Surendran

Dr Shelini Surendran
Associate Dean International FHMS, University of Surrey

Ms Yeo Lay

Ms Yeo Lay
Dean of Students, Student Success Centre, Singapore University of Social Sciences

Associate Professor Vincent Ng Chee Keong

Associate Professor Vincent Ng Chee Keong
Dean, School of Social Work and Social Development, Singapore University of Social Sciences

Judging Criteria

  • Originality
    Team is able to show: • Creativity and innovative thinking in forming its business model • Creativity in its approach to operating functions (e.g. sales, marketing, branding)
  • Market Opportunity
    Team is able to show: • A clear target market for the proposed product/service • Prior market research • Product differentiation from competitors
  • Entrepreneurial Aspects
    Team has shown: • Potential to bring the venture to a commercial launch • Business, including acquiring early users without high advertising expenditure • Grit and passion in tackling challenges • Resourceful and persuasive
  • Founders
    Founders have shown: • Clear reasons and personal motivations to start business • Good team spirit • Complementary skill sets
  • Impact
    Team is able to show: • Clear positive impact on people, places and/or systems • Clear metrics to quantify positive impact

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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