The 3rd edition of the “Student Startup & Innovation Ideas” Competition for the 2024-2025 academic year, organized by the Faculty of Finance and Commerce at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH), officially commenced with the Kick-off Round held on March 5th.

Designed to provide students with practical experiential opportunities, the competition aims to enhance their awareness of entrepreneurship, facilitate access to intensive training programs, and expand networking opportunities with investors. Building on the success of the previous two seasons, this year’s contest attracted a strong participation of 19 teams presenting 19 innovative startup projects.
In his remarks at the event, Dr. Huỳnh Ngọc Anh, Vice President of HUTECH, commended the Faculty of Finance and Commerce for its pioneering efforts in education, scientific research, and student support. He emphasized that the Faculty not only focuses on knowledge delivery but also prioritizes connections with businesses, offering students real-world experience and clearer career guidance. “The University’s leadership recognizes and highly values the Faculty’s dedication in fostering practical learning environments, enabling students to better define their future career paths,” he stated.

The competition is supported by a panel of distinguished judges comprising leading experts across various fields, who provide practical perspectives and in-depth evaluations of each project. The judging panel includes Mr. Nguyễn Phúc Khoa — Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Meat Industry Corporation (VISSAN), Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Retailers Association (AVR), and Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Food Association (FFA); Mr. Nguyễn Quang Thái — Member of the National Startup Advisory Council (Southern Region), Director of Thành Thái Gia Trading and Investment Co., Ltd., and Head of the B2B Networking Club; Mr. Lê Phương Lĩnh — Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Entrepreneurs Club; and Mr. Nguyễn Đặng Hoàng Sơn — CEO of Biweb Technology Solutions & Investment Co., Ltd.
Beyond evaluating the projects, the judges actively mentor and share real-world experience to help contestants refine and improve their projects toward greater feasibility and applicability.
Speaking on behalf of the judging panel, Mr. Nguyễn Phúc Khoa emphasized, “Entrepreneurship is not only a creative playground but also a challenging journey that demands resilience, intelligence, and perseverance. Whether your ideas involve technology solutions, business models, or products and services, they have the potential to become reality if you dare to think and act. Treat this competition as a milestone to break through and grow.”

The competition consists of three main rounds, each designed to progressively help teams perfect their startup projects. Round 1 — “Kick-off” — provides an opportunity for judges to evaluate creativity and potential, selecting the most outstanding projects to advance. In Round 2 — “Acceleration” — teams engage directly with mentors and experts, whose feedback helps validate project feasibility, adjust strategies, and enhance investor appeal. Finally, in Round 3 — “Final Sprint” — teams receive funding support to complete their projects, prepare presentation videos, and showcase their products. This crucial stage allows participants to present their ideas clearly and persuasively before the judging panel.
Following the opening ceremony, the Kick-off Round of the 3rd “Student Startup & Innovation Ideas” Competition began officially, with teams presenting their projects to the judging panel and receiving valuable professional feedback. This not only supports teams in refining their projects but also serves as essential preparation for subsequent rounds.
With meticulous investment, professional organization, and collaboration with experts and businesses, the 3rd “Student Startup & Innovation Ideas” Competition promises to deliver meaningful experiences for students. Beyond a contest, the program opens doors to cooperation, investment, and development opportunities for viable projects, empowering students to realize their startup dreams right from the university.