November 12, 2025
Celebrating the Spirit of Innovation at the National Youth Entrepreneurship Awards 2025
In a year when Singapore marks its SG60 milestone, the National Youth Entrepreneurship Awards (NYEA) 2025 took on an even deeper meaning — a celebration not just of enterprise, but of the enduring spirit of innovation that has shaped the nation’s journey.
Held at The Pod, National Library Board (NLB) and organised by ACE.SG (Action Community for Entrepreneurship), the event brought together an inspiring mix of young founders, educators, policymakers, and ecosystem builders — all driven by a shared belief that the future belongs to those who dare to create.
Leadership and Vision for the Next Generation
The afternoon opened with Minister of State Dinesh Vasu Dash (Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth; Ministry of Manpower), who delivered a poignant reminder that entrepreneurship is more than building businesses — it’s about solving meaningful problems and uplifting communities along the way.
“The spirit of enterprise is not only about starting businesses, but about creating opportunities for others.”
His message resonated deeply across the room, setting the tone for a programme that underscored purpose-driven innovation and resilience.
The keynote address by Vinod Nair, Founder and CEO of MoneySmart Group, offered a masterclass in perseverance and reinvention. He shared candidly how the emergence of AI initially posed a threat to his business — yet became the very catalyst for transformation. By immersing himself in learning and rethinking how technology could serve his users better, Vinod’s journey captured the essence of adaptability that defines every great entrepreneur.
“Innovation must always be matched with empathy and persistence,” he reflected, urging young founders to stay curious and grounded even in times of disruption.”
Closing the ceremony, Saurav Bhattacharyya, Chairman of ACE.SG, reinforced the collective responsibility that government, academia, and industry share in nurturing Singapore’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. His call for unity — and for continued collaboration among all ecosystem enablers — echoed ACE.SG’s long-standing mission to empower founders from ideation to impact.
Recognising Youth and Entrepreneurial Grit
The NYEA 2025 programme featured two core segments: the POL-ITE Entrepreneurs’ Challenge and the NYEA Recognition Awards, spotlighting outstanding student founders from Singapore’s institutes of higher learning and youth-led startups.
These young changemakers represented a diverse range of ventures — from sustainability-driven platforms to cutting-edge fintech and digital solutions — but what truly stood out was their shared sense of purpose. Each story was a testament to creativity grounded in empathy, technology used with intent, and innovation guided by heart.
As one finalist shared, “We don’t just want to build something new. We want to build something meaningful.”
That sentiment, echoed across many of the projects, captured the ethos of today’s youth entrepreneurship — agile, inclusive, and deeply human.
Collaboration as the Catalyst
Events like the NYEA remind us that entrepreneurship doesn’t thrive in isolation. Behind every successful founder stands a community — mentors, educators, policymakers, and investors — who believe in their vision and help them navigate the challenges ahead.
From ACE.SG’s tireless work in nurturing startups to the educators who shape entrepreneurial mindsets in classrooms, the ecosystem’s strength lies in its interconnectedness. Together, they form the scaffolding that allows young innovators to dream bigger, fail smarter, and rise stronger.
And as Singapore steps into its next chapter, that spirit of collaboration may be the defining ingredient for the next wave of global-impact ventures.
A Collective Celebration of Purpose
The NYEA 2025 was more than an awards ceremony — it was a reaffirmation of belief. A belief that entrepreneurship can be a force for good, that youth can lead with purpose, and that innovation, when matched with empathy, can transform society.
To every young founder, mentor, and partner who made this event possible — and to ACE.SG for its enduring leadership — this celebration marks not an end, but a new beginning for the entrepreneurial spirit in Singapore.
Congratulations to all the award recipients and participants who continue to remind us that in a world of rapid change, our greatest advantage will always be the courage to innovate with heart.
