Winners will receive the coveted Singapore Valley Award, a SGD 2,000 cash prize and a prestigious overseas internship experience in China with internship expenses covered by Enterprise Singapore Global Ready Talent Programme.
Internship start period shall commence in 2026 for minimum period of 3 months. Winners will also receive entrepreneurship training and invited to meet and grow their professional network with established founders and VCs.
Business Case Questions
As part of the SVA 2026 application, candidates are invited to tackle one of the following business case prompts. Each prompt presents a pressing global or regional challenge that reflects the realities of modern entrepreneurship in Asia, particularly in China. Applicants should demonstrate the ability to think strategically, apply emerging technologies, and build scalable, sustainable business models.
Please read all three case prompts carefully. You will be asked to select one to answer in your application. Submission guidelines are provided at the bottom of this page.
Question 1: COVID and the Push for Antimicrobial Compounds
Context
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped global healthcare priorities and underscored the limitations of existing antimicrobial agents. There is growing urgency to develop solutions that are:
- Effective against multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria
- Equipped with novel mechanisms to delay resistance development
- Applicable across diverse environments to reduce the spread of infections
A research institute has developed a new antimicrobial compound with broad-spectrum efficacy, excellent biocompatibility, and a unique membrane-disruption mechanism that significantly reduces the risk of resistance.
Business Case
Design a comprehensive go-to-market strategy for commercializing this compound across Asia-Pacific markets. The strategy should address the transition from lab discovery to commercial success, while leveraging trends in healthcare digitalization and the increasing demand for antimicrobial resistance solutions across industries and applications.
Key Requirements
- Identify and prioritize use cases and target segments based on market size, regulatory complexity, and competitive landscape
- Clearly differentiate the compound from existing solutions and quantify the value proposition
- Identify strategic partners and propose models for co-development or commercialization
Question 2: Renewable Energy-as-a-Service for Emerging Markets
Context
As renewable energy becomes more cost-competitive and governments adopt ambitious decarbonization targets, there is an opportunity to democratize access to clean energy in developing markets through innovative service-based models.
Business Case
Create a business plan for a Renewable Energy-as-a-Service (REaaS) platform that combines solar power generation, AI-based energy management, and blockchain-enabled energy trading. The platform should serve small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Asia’s emerging economies, addressing energy access, affordability, and grid integration.
Key Requirements
- Integrate AI for predictive maintenance, energy optimization, and demand forecasting
- Address financing barriers for renewable energy adoption
- Demonstrate familiarity with regulatory frameworks across various Asian markets
- Outline how the platform enables participation in carbon markets and ESG initiatives
Question 3: Smart Manufacturing Hub for Decentralized Production
Context
Trends in deglobalization, automation, and sustainability are accelerating the shift toward decentralized production closer to end markets. Companies are seeking flexible, smart, and environmentally responsible manufacturing options.
Business Case
Develop a business plan to establish AI-enabled smart manufacturing hubs across Asia-Pacific. These hubs should support decentralized production of consumer goods, leveraging intelligent automation and advanced manufacturing technologies to help global brands reduce reliance on centralized operations.
Key Requirements
- Use AI and IoT for production optimization, quality control, and predictive maintenance
- Integrate renewable energy for carbon-neutral manufacturing
- Address the economic and operational complexities of nearshoring
- Demonstrate scalability across countries with diverse regulatory and trade environments
Submission Guidelines
Please upload your business case analysis, based on one of the questions above, as a presentation deck in PDF format through the application form.
Your main deck should not exceed more than 15 slides. Appendix slides are allowed.
Ensure your file is clearly named in the following format:
[YourFullName]_SVA2026
E.g. JamesHoJiaEn_SVA2026
Regardless of the business case chosen, all applicants must address the following areas in their submission:
- Market Analysis: Target market definition, segmentation, and competitor benchmarking
- Technology Integration: Application of AI, robotics, renewable energy, or localization technologies as strategic differentiators
- Financial Modeling: Revenue projections, funding requirements, and pathway to profitability
- Risk Assessment: Key risks (geopolitical, operational, technological) and proposed mitigation strategies
- Scaling Strategy: Plans for regional expansion, particularly into China and Southeast Asia
- Impact Measurement: Clear metrics for economic, social, and environmental outcomes
These case prompts are designed to mirror the complexity of real-world entrepreneurship, reflecting the interdisciplinary thinking and agility required to succeed in dynamic Asian markets.
