Coop Pitch

Coop Pitch is one of the flagship highlights of APCYS, a dynamic platform where young people transform bold cooperative ideas into impactful solutions for their communities. The competition invites youth to develop and present innovative, sustainable, and people-centered cooperative business models that respond to local needs and aspirations while advancing inclusive development.

More than just a pitching competition, Coop Pitch is a space for learning, collaboration, and inspiration. Participants gain access to mentorship from cooperative leaders and experts, peer learning opportunities, and valuable exposure to successful youth-led cooperative initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region. Selected teams also receive support to further strengthen and scale their ideas, encouraging the next generation of cooperative entrepreneurs and changemakers.

From Pitch Ideas to

Cooperative Impact

Sustainable Biomass Fuel Production: Muda Mudi Coop from Indonesia won the first prize in APCYS 4.0 and pitched an innovative enterprise producing eco-friendly wood pallets using sugarcane and coconut shell waste. The initiative aimed to create sustainable alternative fuel solutions while building a network of small-scale manufacturers across Southeast Asia.

Eco-Paving Blocks from Recycled Waste: Likas Vocational College from Malaysia won the second prize in APCYS 4.0 and proposed a cooperative producing environmentally friendly paving blocks made from palm oil and tire waste. The initiative aimed to promote sustainable construction practices while reducing waste and encouraging resource efficiency in the building sector.

Hemp-based Sustainable Products: Himalayan Hemp Cooperative from India won the second prize in APCYS 3.0 and pitched innovative hemp-based sanitary products and reusable protective equipment. The youth-led initiative works with local farmers and artisans to preserve indigenous hemp practices while developing sustainable products with social and environmental impact.

Youth Engagement in Organic Farm Tourism: Justine Limocon and Kevin Palson from Lamac Multipurpose Co-operative won the first prize at the Coop Pitch in APCYS 1.0. Taking it forward, they created thriving organic farming facilities, including cacao production, coir products, rice plantations, etc. The Lamac’s Hidden Valley Mountain Resort was the venue for the APCYS 2.0!

Solar Energy Production and Direct Distribution to Individual Households: Ng Jun Long from Singapore, representing Skyla Energy Cooperative, won the first prize with this idea at the Coop Pitch in APCYS 2.0.

Experiential Tourism at the Herbal Cooperative: Trinh Thi Ly of the Sinh Duoc Herbal Cooperative, Vietnam, pitched to develop the cooperative ecosystem around their herbal cooperative by adding experiential tourism (herb, place, living).

Green Drone-enabled Agriculture Network: Mifly Airline Cooperative from China pitched to build an agriculture network using drones for multiple purposes, including crop-dusting and spraying seeds.

Competition Format

What is a pitch?

To Pitch (verb) is to make a bid to obtain a contract or other business! A Pitch typically takes the form of an entrepreneur or group of entrepreneurs presenting or describing their ideas to prospective investors. An elevator pitch is a very short pitch that distils the idea into a summary that takes only as long as a short elevator ride.

Thumb rule: One organization – One pitch
Communicate with participants from your organization/country and build a team (suggestive: two to five members)
All ideas must be driven by cooperative identity. In 1995, the ICA adopted the revised Statement on the Cooperative Identity containing the definition of a cooperative, the values of cooperatives, and the seven cooperative principles. For more information, read here.
Self Help & Mutual Benefit should be the driving force of the ideas being pitched and should include youth.
Impact analysis: The Pitch must be able to ascertain at least one innovative element of socio-economic and cultural impact in the enterprise model.

Evaluation Criteria: The pitch will be evaluated based on the following:

Alignment of the business model and timeline with the summit theme
Simplicity of the cooperative enterprise model
Method of structuring and management of members and staff in a principle-based enterprise.
Growth goals (after a year)
Cooperative principle embodiment
Team and mentor evolution

Coop Pitch Schedule

13 June 2026

Registrations close

22 June 2026

Communication to selected Applicants

29 June 2026

Orientation session for shortlisted teams with mentors

02 - 10 July 2026

Mentoring sessions (scheduled online)

11 July 2026

Coop Pitch submission

17 July 2026

Communication to finalists

01 – 04 September 2026

Finalists participate in APCYS 5.0

03 September 2026

Coop Pitch Finale

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I participate in Coop Pitch?

Interested participants can express their interest in the Coop Pitch Competition while registering for APCYS 5.0. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the competition guidelines, prepare their responses in advance, and submit the online application before the deadline on 08 June 2026. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

What are the eligibility criteria for Coop Pitch?

Teams comprising 2 – 5 members are encouraged to apply for the competition. Teams may include young cooperators, students, representatives of ICA member organizations, civil society actors, social entrepreneurs, and individuals from diverse professional or academic backgrounds. Above all, participants should demonstrate a strong commitment to collaboration, innovation, and creating positive community impact.

I don’t have a team. Can I still participate?

Yes. Individual applications are welcome, and participants without a team are still encouraged to apply.

What do the winning teams receive?

The top three winning teams will receive:

Prize money
Mentorship support from cooperative experts
Opportunities to connect with key partners and stakeholders
Support to further develop and implement their cooperative ideas

Have more questions?

Feel free to contact us at contact@apyouthsummit.coop for any questions or additional information.

Mentors' Profile

Mr. Pierre-Yves Lucas

Team Leader, Cooperation Section, Delegation of European Union to China

Mr. Pierre-Yves Lucas graduated from KEDGE Business School (France), in the field of Economics and International Finance and Bordeaux University in the field of finance: two Master degrees obtained in 1998, and 1999.

Pierre-Yves Lucas started his career for the European Union in Kazakhstan in 2001. As Project Manager for the EU covering Trade aspects and Private Sector Development, Pierre-Yves Lucas covered several countries: including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.In 2007, Pierre-Yves Lucas was appointed as Liaison Officer with the Government of Kazakhstan, in the newly created EU Delegation in Astana (Kazakhstan). In 2010, Pierre-Yves Lucas was appointed as Project Coordinator for the OECD in Paris in the Eurasia Competitiveness Programme.

Later, based in Astana, for the OECD, he was supporting the development of the Eurasia Competitiveness Programme in Kazakhstan until 2015. He then joined the EU Delegation to Timor-Leste as an economist, and launched the second Budget Support in the Country, in the field of Public Finance Management. In 2018, he was appointed Team Leader in Mongolia for the EU, in charge of cooperation. In 2021, Pierre-Yves Lucas was appointed as Team Leader in China for the EU, in charge of cooperation.

Mr. Zhang Lei

Director, Talent Sustainable Development Center, Alibaba Foundation

Mr. Zhang Lei leads the Alibaba E-Learning Hub, a vocational education public welfare platform with 700,000+ learners, 360+ courses, and 6 industry colleges. He holds a Master’s from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and is currently a PhD candidate there. He also serves as Vice Chairman of the National Data Intelligence Industry-Education Integration Consortium Talent.

Mr. Akkanut Wantanasombut

Head of ISSIE Research Group, Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University

Mr. Akkanut Wantanasombut is head of the ISSIE Research Group (Innovation for Social Solidarity and Inclusive Economy in Asia) at the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University. His work focuses on the platform economy, digital labour, and the social solidarity economy in Southeast Asia. He is principal investigator of Fairwork Thailand, part of a global research network coordinated by the Oxford Internet Institute (University of Oxford) and the WZB Berlin Social Science Centre that assesses working conditions on digital labour platforms. He is also the founder of Tamsang-Tamsong, a community-based delivery platform built on a multi-stakeholder cooperative model, and ThaiEconoMap, a community-owned digital commons that maps local economies to strengthen the grassroots economy and community well-being. Alongside his research, Akkanut works closely with workers, communities, and civil society to build fairer alternatives to the current platform model.

Mr. Paulus Ohio

Chief Executive Officer, inKUR

Mr. Paulus Ohio is the Chief Executive Officer of inKUR (Induk Koperasi Usaha Rakyat) Indonesia, a secondary cooperative in the real sector that brings together around 20 primary cooperatives, which serve tens of thousands of members across more than six provinces.

For about a decade, Paulus built a career in Jakarta's corporate sector, working in marketing, design, and digital transformation for national brands. He brought that experience into the cooperative movement at inKUR, giving grassroots cooperatives the modern management practices and digital tools normally found in large companies.

At inKUR, Paulus oversees support for member businesses at every stage, from initial setup and growth to recovery, with regular monitoring of each business unit. When members have specific needs, he connects them with suitable partners and networks, and he is building a centralized digitalization initiative that links member cooperatives through shared systems.

His goal is genuine collaboration among cooperatives, so that members benefit not only from their own cooperative but also from the strength of the wider network.

Ms. Yuyu Chen

Programme Analyst, United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)

Ms. Yuyu Chen is a Programme Analyst at the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), working at the intersection of AI governance, youth leadership, social and solidarity economies and sustainable development performance indicators. She designs and coordinates international initiatives that connect governments, UN entities, academia, technology actors, civil society and young people to turn dialogue into collective action.

Her work includes the International Forum “We, the Youth” (IFWY), a global initiative engaging more than 26,000 young people from over 160 countries and bringing youth voices into high-level policy conversations. By combining substantive policy dialogue with culture, creativity and public engagement, IFWY creates spaces where young people are not only participants, but agenda-setters for peace, cooperation and shared responsibility.

Yuyu also contributes to UNRISD’s work on AI for inclusion and equity, including the Digital World Conference and the Research Coalition on AI for Equity and Inclusion. Her work advances a central question for the AI era: how emerging technologies can be governed not only for efficiency and innovation, but for equity, trust and social development.

Mr. Ho Wei Liang

Board Member, Global Youth AI Advisory Body

Mr. Ho Wei Liang (Liam) is an artificial intelligence engineer and social innovator from Malaysia, specializing in rights-respecting AI governance and ethical framework design. As a Board Member and robotics & automation domain researcher for the Global Youth AI Advisory Body, Liam co-authored the report, developed alongside advisors from 52 nations, submitted to the India AI Impact Summit 2026 and the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance. He also represented the Body at the inaugural UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, contributing to the "From Dialogue to Action" written inputs. Globally recognized with the 2024 Diana Award and 2026 Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust 100 Young Leaders Award, Liam bridges technical development with ethical policy. A passionate STEAM advocate, he has mentored over 1,300 youths and secured championships at the Intel AI Global Impact Festival and Huawei ICT Competition. He delivered a keynote at the Xiamen University Malaysia Innovation Forum 2026 - Artificial Intelligence for Innovation and Education. Liam is committed to shaping rights-respecting AI frameworks and inspiring the next generation of technologists.

Mr. Song Dongpo

Founder, MiFly Airline Coop, China

Mr. Song Dongpo is an outstanding tech entrepreneur who enrolled in the Computer Network Technology program at Zhejiang Institute of Economics and Trade in 2016. Transitioning from a drone enthusiast to a dedicated founder, he established Mifei Aviation Technology Co., Ltd. in 2017, focusing on applying UAV technology to agricultural plant protection. He successfully developed and manufactured his own agricultural drones through self-directed learning. By providing highly efficient drone services, he successfully scaled operations to manage massive regional agricultural defense projects, actively contributing to rural revitalization.

His remarkable achievements have earned widespread recognition. In 2017, he won First Prize in the 6th Zhejiang Vocational College "Challenge Cup" Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. In 2018, he won First Prize in the Zhejiang Career Planning Competition, was awarded "Best Entrepreneurship Star," and was nominated for "Zhejiang's Most Beautiful Post-90s Youth." During this period, he also secured First Prize at the Asia-Pacific Youth Cooperative Summit 2.0, cementing his status as an exemplary role model for youth innovation.

Mr. Balasubramanian G. Iyer

Regional Director, ICA-AP

Mr. Balasubramanian G. Iyer (also known as Balu Iyer) has over 30 years of experience in managing international development operations, overseeing multiple country offices, and building new offices from the ground up. He worked in India in cooperative development before moving abroad to work on Asian regional concerns for overseas agencies in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. Previously, he worked with the Aga Khan Rural Support Program, ActionAid India, International Development Exchange and the Asia Foundation. He holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Goldman School of Public Policy at U.C. Berkeley, U.S.A., a Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management from the Institute of Rural Management at Anand, India, and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the National Institute of Technology at Durgapur, India.

Mr. Adili Wubuli

President, Board of Supervisors, All China Federation of Supply & Marketing Cooperatives (ACFSMC)

Mr. Adili Wubuli was born in 1968 and has a doctoral degree in Management. He joined the cooperative movement in 1988 and has since then held various senior positions in cooperative textile companies, in supervision, auditing, economic and reform of supply and marketing cooperatives in ACFSMC. He has accumulated rich experiences in management, governance, research and innovation of cooperatives. He was elected as President, Board of Supervisors in 2024. He is currently in charge of all the international cooperation business of ACFSMC.

Ms. Zhang Xiaohong

Division Chief, ACFSMC

Ms. Zhang Xiaohong (also known as Helen Zhang) is a Division Chief at the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives (ACFSMC). ACFSMC is China's largest national cooperative organization, serving as a vital force in the rural economy by managing agricultural supplies, farm produce circulation, and rural e-commerce. In her role, Ms. Zhang represents ACFSMC on the international stage, particularly engaging with global cooperative networks like the International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP).

Ms. Atty. Dulce S. Bustamante-Delmo

Chairperson, ICA-Asia Pacific Committee on Youth Cooperation

Ms. Atty. Dulce S. Bustamante-Delmo is the Executive Director of the Union of Legitimate Service Contracting Cooperatives in the Philippines, a cooperative union whose main advocacy is for the development, training, and support to labor service cooperatives.

She also serves as the Chairperson of the ICA-AP Committee on Youth Cooperation and the ex-officio Vice-President for Asia Pacific of the ICA Youth Committee. She is also a founding member of Young Entrepreneurs Service Cooperative, the first youth cooperative in their local region. She is also the Managing Partner of a law firm based in the Philippines.

As a cooperator, she has taken on various roles as trainer and program implementor especially in the development of laboratory and youth cooperatives. Now in the labor and service sector, her advocacy is to promote cooperative laws and framework locally and internationally. Her expertise includes youth development, labor service, governance, and cooperatives.

Mr. Harsh Mukeshbhai Sanghani

President, ICA Youth Committee

Mr. Harsh Mukeshbhai Sanghani is a passionate cooperator building 21st-century solutions through 100-year-old ancient values. From empowering farmers as Yuva Agriculture Minister of Gujarat to launching the Youth in Cooperatives movement, his journey has always been about unlocking the full potential of cooperative models—beyond tradition, into transformation.

He believes the future of cooperatives lies not just in agriculture and finance, but in AI, cybersecurity, climate tech, and digital infrastructure. That’s why he championed farmer-owned Carbon Credit Cooperatives and helped prototype cooperative models in frontier sectors.

Mr. Abhishek Kumar

Vice Chairperson, ICA-Asia Pacific Committee on Youth Cooperation

Mr. Abhishek Kumar is the second Vice Chairperson of the ICA-Asia Pacific Committee on Youth Cooperation (ICYC). He also serves as a youth representative for the National Yuva Cooperative Society Limited (NYCS) in India and as the General Manager for Skill Development and Governance. With experience in youth empowerment, cooperative education, and community development, Abhishek Kumar has been associated with key cooperative bodies including NCUI, ICA-AP, and ICA Global. He strongly advocated for increased youth participation in the cooperative movement, highlighting the need for innovation, leadership development, and global engagement.

Ms. Monalisa Kashyap

Program Coordinator & Advocacy Officer, ICA-AP, and Secretary, ICA-AP Committee on Youth Cooperation

Ms. Monalisa Kashyap has over 8 years of experience in program management and stakeholder/partnership engagement management across international, national, and government levels. She works as Program Coordinator and Advocacy Officer at ICA-AP under the ICA-EU Financial Framework Partnership Agreement (Phase II). Additionally, she serves as a Secretary of ICA-AP Committee on Youth Cooperation (ICYC).

Previously, she worked as Programs Head at Access Livelihoods, a social enterprise in India, where she led projects focused on women and youth empowerment and employment. She also worked with Friends of Women’s World Banking, focusing on strengthening Farmer Producer Collectives through capacity-building initiatives. Passionate about advancing gender and income equality and women’s empowerment, Monalisa holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Development Management from the Development Management Institute, Patna, and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Accountancy Honours) from Patna Women’s College.

Mr. Rayann Koudaih

Technical Specialist, Coop & SSE Development, ILO

Mr. Rayann Koudaih is a Technical Specialist in Cooperative and Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) Development at the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva. With 13 years of experience, his work focuses on promoting cooperatives and other social and solidarity economy (SSE) entities as drivers of decent work and inclusive development. He contributes to the ILO's global efforts to develop and deliver training tools and methodologies that support young people, women and aspiring entrepreneurs to start, manage and grow sustainable cooperatives and SSE entities across a range of sectors. Rayann provides technical support to governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations, and SSE networks on policy development, implementation, monitoring and coherence. His work also includes advancing SSE-based solutions in the care economy and in crisis and forced displacement contexts, while supporting cooperative and SSE development programmes in Arab States, Africa, Asia and Europe.

Mr. Jimmy Boey Wai Keong

Board Member and SPEC (Singapore Professionals and Executives Cooperative) Trainer.

Mr. Jimmy Boey Wai Keong is a professional with expertise in technology, ecommerce, payments, health, and wellness, bringing a diverse range of experience across multiple sectors. He started his career working with a large pharmaceutical company for four years, focusing on gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatry therapeutic areas. After that, he moved into digital health, such as the Visa Business Cards for Health & Employee Benefits and Singapore HealthCerts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the past year, he has been working on a cognitive and computational neuroscience project that aims to decouple human brainwaves into a predictive mind-body foundation model.

Jimmy is also a qualified personal trainer who dedicates his time to community volunteer work with special needs individuals.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences (Economics) from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and completed an overseas exchange at the Warsaw School of Economics, gaining international exposure early in his life.