SINGAPORE, October 27, 2025 – The GEAR by Kajima (The GEAR) and Singapore Management University Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (SMU IIE) proudly announced the awardees of the Kajima Book Prize in Innovation 2025, a recognition that celebrates young minds who excel across four pillars: Mindset, Drive, Action, and Impact.
Now in its second year, the prize honours outstanding student innovators who are bold in their pursuit of innovation with an entrepreneurial mindset and who make a meaningful, measurable difference in their communities or teams. This year’s recipients, Kirby Teo and Nicholas Chen, impressed the judging panel with their forward-thinking projects and a clear commitment to inspiring the next wave of student entrepreneurs.
About the Kajima Book Prize
The Kajima Book Prize in Innovation was established in 2024 through a collaboration between Kajima and Singapore Management University (SMU). Born from a shared belief that innovation thrives at the intersection of academia and industry, the prize recognises graduating students who have demonstrated exceptional creativity, leadership, and impact during their university journey. It aims to inspire them to think beyond conventional boundaries and take action to challenge the way we live in this world.
The initiative reflects Kajima’s commitment to fostering a culture of sustainable innovation – one that encourages creativity not just for today’s needs but for generations to come.
“The Kajima Book Prize reflects our belief that innovation begins with curiosity and courage. By supporting students, we hope to empower the next generation of changemakers to think boldly, act with purpose, and shape a more sustainable future for all.” Luke Wu, Managing Director, The GEAR by Kajima.
Meet the Awardees of 2025
Behind every innovative idea is a story of curiosity, persistence, and imagination.
Kirby Teo (Business Management, SMU LKCSB’ 25)
Kirby has participated in IIE programmes such as Business Innovations Generators (BIG), the Student Entrepreneur Internship, and the Summer Venture Awards, and in SMU-X modules including Business Capstone: The Design of Business and Sustainable Entrepreneurship Practicum. He represented SMU in the Global Finals of L’Oréal Brandstorm 2025, where his team developed an innovative beauty tech product and placed 7th globally.
What does winning the Kajima Book Prize mean to you?
Honestly, I didn’t think I would win. I just shared my story from the heart and gave it my best shot. Winning this prize isn’t just about recognition; it’s a validation that following my passion was worth it. This award showed me that there are people, like the judges and Kajima, who believe in that same vision, and that motivates me to keep creating something meaningful for the world.
Could you share the story behind your startup or innovation?
My startup began with a focus on men’s mental wellness. During my internship, I realised there’s still a strong stigma: many men find it hard to open up about mental health. That’s why we decided to pivot it. Instead of talking directly about mental wellness, we integrated it into engaging events, using them as a gateway for open conversations. It’s a small shift, but it’s made people more willing to participate and connect. We’re still testing and refining the right formula to better support those who need it.
What is the one phase you would like to share with the other student entrepreneurs?
Take the leap. I’ve learned that things don’t have to be perfect from the start, what matters is taking that first step and learning along the way. That’s something I live by now, in everything I do – business, relationships, or career. Even when things go wrong, like losing my startup domain recently, I remind myself it’s just one phase. I still hold on to this phrase that guides me: I’m on a mission to design products that will change the world.
Nicholas Chen (Information Systems, SMU SCIS’ 25)
Nicholas has been actively involved in IIE programmes and student clubs, including IIE Student Clubs, BIG, Sharing Sessions at the Greenhouse, the Student Entrepreneur Internship, and the SMU Blockchain Club. As co-founder of SolanaFM, a startup acquired by Jupiter (a decentralized exchange aggregator) in 2024, Nicholas demonstrated leadership, entrepreneurial vision, and innovation in blockchain data analytics, successfully navigating the challenges of building a startup from the ground up.
What does winning the Kajima Book Prize mean to you?
I know that most Kajima Book Prize winners are usually fresh graduates or students about to graduate, and this award can support them in bridging the transition between student life and the next chapter – whether that means kickstarting their careers, pursuing further learning, or taking the first step to build their own ventures. For me, this award means a lot. It’s not just $5,000, but the recognition that gives us a platform to inspire others. I want to use this prize as an amplifier to reach more people, to show that it’s okay to take bold, risky decisions instead of just following a safe, conventional path for the next 50 years.
Could you share the story behind your startup or innovation?
For me, enjoying the product creation process came naturally as I focused on solving real user problems. At first, when we launched Solana FM, only about 10K users engaged with our platform, and adoption was slow – sometimes users didn’t respond at all. But by focusing on one core feature, making data easy to understand and actionable, we saw a huge shift. Within three months, our monthly active users grew from 10K to a million. Experiencing that impact firsthand reinforced my drive: when you see people truly benefiting from what you create, it pushes you to keep iterating, improving, and making a bigger difference in the world.
What is the one phase you would like to share with the other student entrepreneurs?
I would say, ‘empty your cup.’ This is a phrase I first heard from my teacher when I was 16 in polytechnic. At the time, I didn’t fully understand it, but its meaning stayed with me. When your cup is full, you can’t take in anything new, anything extra just overflows and is wasted. By ‘emptying your cup’ you stay open to learning, gaining new knowledge, and embracing opportunities. In the startup world, this mindset applies to every connection, partnership, and lesson: stay positive, share what you’ve learned, and create a cycle of growth. It’s never a zero-sum game; there’s always room to learn, grow, and give back.
The Voice of an SMU Alumnus at The GEAR
Among this year’s celebration was also a familiar face. Clarence Ong (BBM, 2022), an SMU alumnus who is now part of The GEAR by Kajima, driving efforts in startup programmes and ecosystem development. Reflecting on the spirit of the award, he shared:
“Entrepreneurship is more than launching businesses – it’s a mindset rooted in drive, action, and meaningful change. Both Kirby and Nicholas remind us of this truth. As an SMU alumnus deeply engaged in the startup ecosystem, I’m proud to continue supporting SMU’s next generation of changemakers – this time at The GEAR by Kajima.”
“The Kajima Book Prize in Innovation embodies Kajima’s spirit of innovation & entrepreneurship and is unlike any other. This recognition isn’t about grades – it’s about celebrating those who dare to dream big, take risks, and lead change.”
Nurturing the Future of Innovation
At Kajima, innovation begins with people. It is their ideas, passions, and willingness to reimagine the world around them.
Through initiatives like the Kajima Book Prize and partnerships with institutes of higher learning such as SMU, we aim to build a sustainable cycle of innovation – one that empowers future generations to carry forward the spirit of creativity, collaboration, and purpose.
Because when we invest in young minds today, we’re building the foundation for the next century of progress.
End of the article.
For media enquiries, please contact Lili Luo at lili.luo@kajima.com.sg.
