Slingshot 2025: Pitch your startup on a global stage and win $2M
If you are building deep technology and need that global spotlight, the Slingshot 2025 pitching competition might be your big break. With over $2 million in equity-free grants, this Singapore-based opportunity calls on startups worldwide to apply.
Organised by Enterprise Singapore, the competition is held during the prestigious Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH). In its 9th edition, Slingshot has established itself as one of the leading platforms for early-stage companies poised for growth. This platform provides an opportunity to present your startup globally, helping you reach a wider audience and elevate your visibility. Most importantly, you don’t need to be in Singapore to apply, but if shortlisted for the final round, be prepared to travel. This isn’t just a pitch competition, it’s an opportunity for global recognition.
What’s in it for you?
Beyond the funding, Slingshot 2025 gives you access to global investors, partners, and peer entrepreneurs. If you make it to the top 60, you will be flown into Singapore for a full immersion experience, including access to SWITCH 2025, a startup showcase booth, a domain-specific mentorship, and a chance to pitch live at the grand finals. If you make it to the final 12, here is what the grant prizes look like:
- Grand winner – S$400,000
- 1st Runner up – S$300,000
- 2nd Runner up – S$200,000
- Top 12 startups – S$60,000 each
Past winners
Slingshot has launched various impactful startups over the years. In 2024, Matwerkz Technologies from Singapore won the grand prize with thermorphous, a fire-resistant battery solution. In 2023, Thermalytica Inc. from Japan also won the grand prize for its energy-saving technology for appliances and sustainable buildings. Other notable winners include Bering Lab from South Korea, an AI-powered legal translation startup, and many others.
Eligibility
The Slingshot 2025 competition is open to startups worldwide that:
- Have a minimum viable product
- Demonstrate market validation
- Show potential for scalability and impact
- Are not subsidiaries of corporate entities
- Intend to expand in Singapore
Whether you are working in robotics, AI, green energy, food innovation, or even fintech, this competition presents a unique opportunity for you.
Application timeline
The Application for Slingshot 2025 closes on July 11, 2025, with the immersion week being scheduled for October 24 – 27, 2025. The domain finals are held between October 29 and 30, 2025, leading to the grand finale on October 31, 2025.
How to apply for Slingshot 2025
- Visit the application portal: go to the official Slingshot 2025 application page on the Startup SG website
- Create an account: register a new account with your accurate start-up details
- Complete your application form: fill out key information about your startup, such as team profile, product/service details, then select your relevant domain, upload your pitch, and any required supporting documents
- Submit before the deadline: ensure your application is completed and submitted before the final deadline. Incomplete entries may be disqualified
- Await shortlisting: shortlisted applicants will be contacted to proceed to subsequent pitching rounds, including virtual and possibly in-person sessions during SWITCH 2025 in Singapore
Do you have an innovative business (small, mid-scale business or startup) that adds value, creates opportunities or solves bold problems? Then you`ve got a story worth telling? Shoot us an email with the subject “Story Worth Telling (+Name of Business)” to [email protected]
