Startup Challenge: making a global impact

Fourth year International Business with Business Enterprise students, Adam Diab, Callum Samuel, Ewan McCall and Josh Duncan, won an undergraduate pitching competition at the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Innovation which led to them taking part in Singapore University of Social Sciences’ (SUSS) Global Impact StartUp Challenge 2025. Here, they each give their joint and individual impressions from the trip.

We were delighted to get this opportunity and the challenge saw us flying out to join students from ASEAN, China and India to collaborate with fellow changemakers across borders, build and pitch our impact venture and immerse ourselves in one of Asia’s most dynamic startup cities.

The Global Impact Startup Challenge (GISC) is a nine-day programme which brings together students from across the region for an immersive entrepreneurship bootcamp. Participants form teams, develop and validate business ideas, design prototypes, and pitch to industry judges. The challenge provides a unique platform to collaborate with international peers, engage with Singapore’s thriving startup ecosystem, and gain insights from industry experts

We were delighted to come second and third in the competition - this happened as we were split into two different groups with others joining us from all over the world. This was a genuinely worthwhile experience, being intellectually demanding, culturally rich, and personally rewarding. The programme challenged us to develop a full business plan and pitch in a fraction of the time we’d normally be given at university. The pace was fast, and the expectations were high, but it offered a valuable opportunity to apply knowledge in a practical, team-based environment.

Ewan:

I was fortunate enough to be selected for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Singapore to attend the Global Impact Startup Challenge (GISC), hosted by the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). The focus of this year’s challenge was gerontrepreneurship (https://www.suss.edu.sg/life-at-suss/student-experiences/entrepreneurship/gif2025) and finding innovative, entrepreneurial solutions to support ageing populations - an issue currently present in much of Asia and beyond. Over several days, we participated in lectures and workshops on business planning and social entrepreneurship and worked in collaborative groups to develop our own business ideas tailored to support seniors in Singapore. Our teams were thrilled to secure second and third place, marking a proud moment in our academic journeys and showcasing the strength of Strathclyde’s entrepreneurial spirit.

Adam:

What I found most impactful was the diversity within the cohort. Participants came from across Singapore, China, Indonesia, India, and the UK, and that mix shaped every interaction. My team reflected this range of backgrounds, and it was clear from the outset that our different perspectives, working styles, and communication habits would shape how we approached the project. Naturally, there were some small challenges around decision-making and collaboration especially in the early stages when we were still learning how best to work together. But over time, these differences became a strength. We found ways to build on each other’s ideas and developed a shared rhythm that helped us move forward with clarity and mutual respect.

Our team’s idea, Roots and Wings, focused on fostering intergenerational connection. The concept was to build a platform where older and younger people could exchange time, knowledge, and support through a time-credit system. Participation, whether it was helping someone with technology or sharing career advice, would earn credits that could be exchanged for other services. It was designed to create a circular model of trust and shared experience, and it was grounded in a few key trends: the growing global elderly population, increasing digital adoption among older adults, and the broader push for preventative social interventions to ease the burden on healthcare systems. Globally, over 2.1 billion people will be aged 60+ by 2050 (UN, 2020), and studies show that more than 60% of older adults actively want meaningful interactions with younger generations (WHO, 2021). With smartphone and social media use among those aged 65+ having more than doubled between 2014 and 2023 (Pew Research, 2023), there is a growing opportunity for platforms like Roots and Wings to reach people where they are.

Josh:

Our idea, Reignite, revolved around having a centralised, AI-powered resource for discovering local hobby and interest groups in Singapore, tackling the problem of limited social connection for seniors. We formulated our idea through boots-on-the-ground data collection, taking to the streets of Chinatown to interview seniors and understand their perspectives of growing older in Singapore. This also gave me a valuable opportunity to practice my Mandarin, a skill I intend to emphasise moving into my graduate career. Moreover, we got the chance to understand how these solutions look in action currently, with an inspiring visit to RSVP Singapore, a group providing support through senior volunteering and peer-to-peer learning. This gave us an insight into how Singapore’s seniors develop digital literacy, stay socially connected and age gracefully, informing further the creation of our own proposed solution.

The trip also gave me a clearer sense of where I stand in relation to my global peers. I met so many students who, like me, are passionate about entrepreneurship, impact, and building something meaningful. Many of them are already actively building startups or upskilling in areas like AI, machine learning, and sustainable design. Talking to them gave me both motivation and a sense of urgency. It reminded me that the world is full of talented, driven people and if I want to stand out, I need to keep learning, stay curious, and never stop pushing myself.

Callum:

Outside the pitch room, we soaked in Singapore’s vibrant start-up scene. This was emphasised with our trip to ACE (Action Community for Entrepreneurship), an entrepreneurial incubator in Block71, an area housing over 100 innovative startups. This environment exemplifies Singaporean business culture, benefitting from collaboration and mutual support, with the public-private collaboration unlike anything I’d seen in the UK. This shows how seriously the country invests in innovation, certainly a highlight of the trip.

Of course, we made time for fun too exploring the city, dodging the heat, trying durian (never again!), and laughing with teammates over steaming plates of chicken rice. It’s a country that manages to blend tradition and modernity in a way that’s completely unique, from Chinatown to Marina Bay Sands, every part of the city offered something different. Singapore’s energy, contrasts, and culture left a lasting impression that will stay with me for years to come.

This experience wasn't just about building a start-up it was about growing as a person. I came home with a renewed sense of purpose, a deeper appreciation for empathy in innovation, and memories I’ll carry for a long time.

About SBS Students

Adam Diab, Callum Samuel, Ewan McCall and Josh Duncan are fourth year International Business with Business Enterprise students.