As the innovation partner of the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC), powered by Singapore Management University’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SMU IIE), The GEAR by Kajima (The GEAR) was proud to introduce the Built Environment Accelerated Commercialisation Prize. This new prize reflects The GEAR’s mission to support startups that are reimagining the future of cities through sustainability, digitalisation, and innovation.
SINGAPORE, October 2, 2025 – SINGAPORE, October 2, 2025 – Mimicrete, a biomimetic self-healing concrete technology startup, was announced as the winner of The GEAR Built Environment Accelerated Commercialisation Prize, introduced as part of the LKYGBPC at the Yong Pung How School of Law, Singapore Management University. The winning team will soon begin the exciting next chapter as an official member of The GEAR Startup CoLab programme (CoLab), working with The GEAR to explore a proof-of-concept (PoC) supported by in-kind resources, guidance, and mentorship from Kajima’s business units and ecosystem partners.
“Winning this prize is a proud moment for Mimicrete, and it reflects the strength of the valuable partnerships with Kajima and The GEAR. Their support is instrumental in helping us push the boundaries of innovation and bring our vision closer to reality. We are excited to continue building on this momentum together.” said Liz Li, CEO & Co-Founder, Mimicrete
“As a judge and representative of SMU at the event, I felt deeply assured that the collaboration between the newly launched Urban SustaInnovator (USI) by the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at SMU and The GEAR by Kajima is poised to grow stronger. USI as a teaching accelerator, true to our roots as a university, embodies the spirit of nurturing innovation through education and real-world engagement. Both organizations are committed to advancing human life in their own unique ways, and this partnership reflects that shared purpose. The judging and selection format adopted by The GEAR to identify the winners demonstrates a sincere commitment to meaningful POC engagement.” said Jay Chandran, Assistant Director, Knowledge Transfer & Commercialisation, SMU Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
This prize grew out of the close partnership between SMU IIE and The GEAR, where a common belief is shared: entrepreneurs are the drivers of positive change. By providing mentorship, connections, and a platform to test their ideas, The GEAR aims to accelerate the journey from concept to commercialisation in the built environment sector, focusing on areas such as Sustainability in Construction & Building Operations, Productivity & Safety on Construction Sites, Smart Buildings for Occupant Wellbeing, and Next-Generation Facilities & Infrastructure Management.
“This collaboration with the LKYGBPC is perfectly aligned with our Startup CoLab programme, reinforcing our commitment to supporting the most promising startups shaping the future of the built environment. We see this prize not just as recognition, but as a launchpad for collaboration, experimentation, and meaningful impact, both within Kajima and across the wider industry.” said Beth Henderson, Lead, Startup Programmes, The GEAR.
Startup Pitches & Speed Mentoring
The afternoon of October 1 brought together a mix of bright ideas and seasoned perspectives. Finalist teams from LKYGBPC, including Mimicrete, Genia, InviscidAI, and Clean Carbon, alongside CoLab startups such as CityBot, AlGreen, and AirDefender, took the stage to pitch their solutions, sparking thoughtful questions and discussions with the audience. Each presentation showcased a different angle of innovation in the built environment, from sustainability to digitalisation, and set the stage for deeper conversations.
Startups Pitching Session
Beyond the pitches, founders also joined speed mentoring rounds with a diverse group of mentors. These included [27] representatives not only from Kajima and SMU, but also from organisations such as CDL, Capitaland, SG Growth Capital, BCA, ST Engineering Ventures and MOL Plus. Through these conversations, startups received practical feedback and fresh insights to sharpen their strategies. The exchange was dynamic and collaborative, leaving both startups and mentors inspired by the possibilities of what’s next in the built environment.
“The GEAR by Kajima continues to deliver high quality events and partnerships for the startup community in the built environment space. I enjoyed learning from both the founders and the knowledgeable experts across Kajima during the ‘speed dating’ segment!” said Jia Hong Shaw, Head of Ignite, elev8.vc.
What’s Next
For the winners of this prize, this is just the beginning. Over the coming months, they will work alongside The GEAR and CoLab programme partners to explore potential opportunities for collaboration within a supportive innovation ecosystem. The GEAR looks forward to continuing this journey of collaboration and to seeing how their innovations will contribute to the future of the built environment.
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For media enquiries, please contact Lili Luo at lili.luo@kajima.com.sg.
