(17 November 2021)

Sunwah – On 17 November 2021, the Finale of the “VNU Startup and Innovation Ideas Contest 2021” was organized at the campus of the Vietnam National University of Hanoi (VNUHN).

Attendees of the Finale included Mr Pham Bao Son, Vice Director of VNUHN; Mr Pham Hong Quat, General Director of National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization, under Ministry of Science and Technology; Mr Jesse Choi, Director of Sunwah Innovations, a member of Sunwah Group (Hong Kong); and representatives of sponsors and enterprises.

Mr Pham Bao Son, Vice Director of VNUHN

The “VNU Startup and Innovation Ideas Contest 2021”, organized by VNUHN and Sunwah Innovations, aimed at promoting entrepreneurship within young VNUHN students, creating an environment where all students can apply their knowledge into practice as well as nurture their creative ideas.

Mr Pham Hong Quat, General Director of National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization

Mr Jesse Choi, Director of Sunwah Vietnam and CEO of Sunwah Innovations, expressed his delight in being able to support and sponsor the Contest, especially when the Finale was organized at the ULIS – Jonathan KS Choi Cultural Centre which is the symbol of the long-term partnership between Sunwah Group and VNUHN.

Mr Jesse Choi, Director of Sunwah Vietnam and CEO of Sunwah Innovations

In his speech, Mr Choi shared that: “This Contest is an important milestone for the partnership between Sunwah Group and VNUHN, especially in the innovation field, with the goal of encouraging entrepreneurship within students and creating a launchpad for young entrepreneurs. During the past 10 years of cooperation and development with many projects in the fields of education, social activities and international exchanges, Sunwah Group has always cherished VNUHN as a close, long-term partner, a leading national and regional education, and training institution.”

Mr Choi believed that, with VNUHN’s extensive network of advisors and resources, Sunwah Innovations as well as other partners, the “VNU Startup and Innovation Ideas Contest 2021” will create an incubator and a launchpad for future young entrepreneurs.

The “VNU Startup and Innovation Ideas Contest 2021” has been running since June 2021, and attracted 43 entries. After several selection rounds, 12 teams were shortlisted to participate in the Finale. The Organizing Committee has developed a training plan for the 12 teams which took place within half a month (from 2 October to 16 October 2021) with the participation of leading experts in the startup ecosystem to support the teams to improve their ideas/projects in the following aspects: Research and market orientation; Product development; Business planning skills; Perfecting business models; Intellectual property rights for startups; Pitching skill.

The Champion of the Contest was SALEWORKS Team, from the University of Economics, with the Salework e-commerce sales management platform project.

Mr Pham Bao Son (first from left) and Mr Pham Hong Quat (first from right) and the Champion

The Runner-up was GAMMA BOX Team, from International Department, with the Gamification Marketing project.

Mr Jesse Choi (first from right) and the Runner-up

The Third prize belonged to 3SR Team, from the University of Education, with the “Smart waste recycling social network” project. They also received the Popularity Award through voting.

The Fourth prizes winners were ULISOUL Team from the University of Languages and COMPOD TRAI CAY Team from the University of Sciences.