The national finals of the R&D to Start-up 2024 competition unfolded on Sunday night at the Nguyen Van Dao Hall of the Vietnam National University-Hanoi, drawing a vibrant mix of students, academics, researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors.

This year’s event, which sought to bridge the gap between scientific research and real-world application, showcased the entrepreneurial spirit of Vietnam’s youth.

After three intense hours of competition, the jury crowned three standout projects across distinct categories.

In the high school category, the winning team presented a skincare mask made from centella and houttuynia extracts.

The university-level ‘idea’ category honored PURE, a cosmetic line derived from microalgae and natural compounds.

Meanwhile, the university-level ‘startup’ category celebrated a project that diversified mushroom products cultivated on herbal residue.

The competition’s mission is to foster scientific and technological creativity among students, nurturing ideas that address societal and business challenges while commercializing innovative research.

The event was organized by the Center for Enabling Startups and Knowledge Transfer under the Vietnam National University-Hanoi, in partnership with the Vietnam Network of Higher Education Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VNEI) and the Vietnam National Supporting Center for Youth’s Startup (SYS Vietnam).

Key sponsorship came from Sunwah Innovations and DOL English, alongside participation from over 80 schools and 206 projects nationwide, with a total of 613 participants.

The entries spotlight innovative solutions across materials technology, environmental science, biotechnology, and mechatronics.

Many projects notably utilize AI, Big Data, and IoT in business management.

A platform for ambition, growth

Participants faced four rigorous rounds judged by a panel of 30 experts, including technology CEOs, banking executives, and venture capitalists.

Each round required not just creativity but meticulous preparation and market insights.

“This year’s competition expanded to include high school students nationwide,” said Associate Professor Truong Ngoc Kiem, director of the Knowledge Transfer and Startup Support Center and head of the organizing committee.

“The entries offered innovative, highly applicable solutions, many addressing not only business problems but also societal challenges.

“We hope these projects will grow into successful enterprises contributing to Vietnam’s economic development.”

To ensure continuity, all participating teams, regardless of winning status, will be incubated at the Vietnam National University-Hanoi’s Innovation and Startup Incubator.

Winners will also gain access to international startup competitions and experience entrepreneurial ecosystems in Singapore and Hong Kong through partnerships with Sunwah Innovations and NUS Enterprises.

Dr. Doan Duc Minh, founder of Ami&M Group Vietnam and Vice-President of the Entrepreneurial Alumni Club of the Vietnam National University-Hanoi, expressed his pride in supporting the R&D to Start-up 2024 competition.

"The Entrepreneurial Alumni Club is honored to accompany the startup projects emerging from this competition," Minh stated.

"We are committed to assisting the most outstanding teams through specialized mentorship, product refinement, business model development, and market access strategies.

“Promising projects will be considered for long-term investment and development.

“With this support, we hope to help young innovators turn their ideas into successful businesses, contributing positively to sustainable economic and community growth."

Echoing this sentiment, Do Tien Vuong, founder and CEO of CFC Vietnam and a member of the competition's judging panel, highlighted the high caliber of this year’s entries.

"Having served as a judge for numerous competitions across various fields, I am highly impressed by the quality of the R&D to Start-up 2024 competition," Vuong shared.

"The participating projects demonstrated seriousness and a forward-thinking attitude throughout the process, with meticulous preparation and attention to detail in every stage of their presentations.

“This reflects not only the teams' dedication but also the professionalism and competitive spirit of the event.

“I firmly believe that the efforts and passion of the organizers and participants will enrich the competition’s value and inspire future generations of contestants."

Corporate backing, community impact

Le Dinh Luc, CEO of DOL English, a key sponsor, emphasized the transformative potential of such initiatives.

“Competitions like R&D to Start-up 2024 are essential for young people passionate about entrepreneurship.

“They provide a platform to exchange knowledge and refine ideas, preparing participants for the rigorous journey of building a startup,” he said.

Drawing from his own experience as the founder of a US$25 million edtech startup,

Luc expressed confidence in the global competitiveness of Vietnam’s youth.

“Our young entrepreneurs have the intellect and creativity to compete internationally,” he added.

“They just need opportunities to build confidence and capability, and events like this deliver exactly that.”

DOL English itself represents a model of innovation, featuring proprietary teaching methodologies and advanced learning platforms like the superLMS system.

Luc underscored the importance of integrating unique, self-designed approaches in education and beyond, reflecting the company’s broader mission to revolutionize learning.

“At DOL English, we are proud to be at the forefront of revolutionizing English teaching and learning,” he said.

“This includes the complete in-house development of our proprietary Linearthinking methodology, the advanced superLMS platform designed to enhance English education, and a fully original curriculum.

“Every piece of content and visual material is crafted 100% from scratch, reflecting the principles of Linearthinking.”

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