FAQ

Build for Good Accelerator

There are two tracks to join the Build for Good accelerator. What’s the difference between both tracks?

The Build for Good accelerator aims to support teams to scale impact of their tech solutions through funding, mentorship and partnerships.

Teams that join at the hackathon stage bring their tech solutions from 0 to 1, where they go through dedicated sessions on problem discovery, ideation and user testing to present their MVPs at the finale. From there, five winning teams move on to our Build for Good accelerator programme.

Teams that have been shortlisted to join the accelerator directly are expected to already have MVPs that tackle real problems faced by citizens and have some actual users. This means the team should have already validated the problem, and the solution has undergone prototyping and iteration to get to MVP stage.

Will the accelerator be open to public every year?

We're piloting this new track to explore how we can maximise our programme’s impact in supporting more teams to make Singapore better through technology. We'll evaluate the success of this pilot before making decisions about future runs.

How are applications evaluated for new teams?

For new team applications, apply via this form (note: signups close on 22 June 2025). We'll review your current traction, user base, team composition (2-5 members), and resource planning through our application form.

Shortlisted teams will then be invited for a 45-minute interview and product deep dive to better understand your team's motivations and solution. Projects from both tracks are evaluated by our panel of government leaders and industry experts on these following criteria:

• community impact

• prototype execution

• user-centricity

• feasibility

• innovation

We'll eventually select 3 teams to join the accelerator programme.

How does the funding support work?

Teams can receive up to $20,000 in funding support, disbursed in two tranches based on meeting agreed targets during and after the programme. All funding works on a reimbursement basis.

What can the funding be used for?

Eligible expenses include:

• Product development (software/hardware)

• User testing expenses (venue, participant incentives, logistics, F&B)

• Marketing and publicity (digital campaigns, social media ads, content creation)

• Vendor/Freelance support (capped at $6,000 per vendor/freelancer)

Ineligible expenses:

• Team members' salaries or allowances

• Transport for regular team meetings

• Transport for accelerator sessions

• Equipment not directly related to product development

• Entertainment expenses

• General office supplies

• Rental of office space

• Any expenses incurred before programme commencement

What is the commitment level like?

The Build for Good Accelerator spans over 8 weeks, from 19 July 2025 - 6 September 2025, with weekly sessions happening on Saturdays. Sessions are a mix of in-person or online.

These sessions are compulsory to attend and will ensure that you make steady progress towards the Demo Day, where teams will be launching and presenting their solutions to industry experts and government agencies for potential support and collaboration.

The organising committee reserves the right to discontinue a team's participation and withdraw remaining funding support if there is insufficient commitment or unsatisfactory progress. This ensures we maintain a high-quality programme focused on teams dedicated to creating impact.

What do I need to deliver towards the accelerator finale?

All accelerator teams will need to secure at least 1 new partnership and have at least 100 real users by the end of the accelerator. Each team will be doing an in-person presentation to government leaders, industry experts and potential partners.

Who owns the intellectual property rights to solutions developed during the programme?

Teams retain full ownership of their intellectual property. While we don't require teams to share their codebases, teams acknowledge that the government may independently develop similar solutions in the future to serve public needs. This approach ensures teams maintain control of their solution's implementation while preserving the government's ability to serve public good.

Community Hackathon

Note: Signups have closed. For more information, visit our Community Hackathon official website.

Can I sign up if I don’t have a tech background?

While tech expertise and interest in tech are preferred, we welcome participants from all backgrounds to join us. We do require the solution to be tech-based and recommend that your hackathon team consists of members with the skills required to build the solution.

Can I participate as a builder if I’m not in Singapore?

Unfortunately, no. You have to be in Singapore to participate in our in-person sessions and the finale.

Can I participate as a startup?

You are free to join as a startup team, but you should be presenting a new solution that was built during the hackathon month at the finale. To ensure fairness, teams are not allowed to bring in an existing solution that was built before the hackathon. Should we find that the solution was already built or commercialised before the hackathon, the organising committee has the right to request for the team to pivot to a new solution or withdraw from the hackathon.

Can I participate if I’m working or schooling?

Yes! We welcome students or working professionals aged 18 years old and above.

Must I be a Singaporean to join Build for Good?

Citizens, PRs or foreigners studying or working in Singapore are welcome to join Build for Good.

Must I join as a builder to contribute to Build for Good?

While builders are essential to Build for Good, we welcome you to contribute in different ways!

If you have a problem statement to share and challenge our builders to work on them, you can submit them here. You may also represent your NGO or a social enterprise to contribute problem statements.

Do I need a team to participate?

You may sign up as an individual or as a team. You will be given time to get to know fellow builders and form teams at the kickoff. Each team should consist of 3-5 builders, and we strongly encourage teams to have a good mix of builders with different skillsets and background.

What can we expect during the weekly sessions?

At the sessions, you can expect workshops and talks led by OGP officers and industry experts. Additionally, dedicated spaces will be provided for you to collaborate with your team, seek guidance from mentors, and consult experts.

What’s the commitment level like?

During the hackathon, there will be compulsory in-person sessions (refer here for dates and timing).

These in-person sessions are compulsory to attend and will ensure that you make steady progress towards the finale. Beyond the hackathon, winning teams will be required to take part in a 2-month accelerator programme, which will help them launch their solutions to real users.

Does my registration guarantee my participation in Build for Good?

After registration, we will be screening through the applications and shortlist participants. This is to ensure that the opportunity is given to people who have the ability to commit and the drive to do public good. We will send you an email regarding your application results by the end of July.

What do I need to deliver by the end of Build for Good?

All solutions need to have a demonstrated working prototype that's validated through user testing. At the finale, you will be required to outline the problem you identified and how your solution tackles it. All solutions will be evaluated by a judging panel comprising of government leaders and industry experts, and winning teams will be awarded funding of up to $20,000 each.

What happens after the finale?

Winning teams will receive funding of up to $20,000 and go through a 2-month accelerator programme to continue developing prototypes into full-fledged products. The remaining teams will have full ownership of their products and are encouraged to further develop their products in their own time.

All builders will also be given a digital certificate of participation after the finale.