In a vibrant atmosphere filled with creative inspiration, the final night of Startup Olympiad 2025 took place at National Economics University (NEU) on the evening of November 17, 2025. The competition was organized by the Center for Innovation and Career Development in coordination with the Institute of Advanced, High-Quality and POHE Programs, the University’s Youth Union and Student Association, with operational support from the Dynamic NEU Innovative Entrepreneurship Club.

Guest delegates attending the competition included Nguyen Tien Trung, Vice Chairman of the National Innovative Entrepreneurship Advisory Council and Chairman of the Board of Directors of National Startup Consulting and Investment Joint Stock Company; Dinh Thanh Hung, Executive Committee Member of the National Entrepreneurship Association and Deputy Director of the Omega Institute of Science, Technology and Training; Tran Van The, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Indel Petro Joint Stock Company; Kieu Cong Thuoc, Chairman of VnFund; Dinh Thi Thu Hai, General Director of Global Shine Vietnam Joint Stock Company; Nguyen Tuong Nhu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Student360 JSC and Evergy Asia JSC; Luu Le Thuy, General Director of Haki Fashion Joint Stock Company; Sa Thi Phuong, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Global Genetica-Life AI Group Joint Stock Company; Nguyen Lan Anh, Business Director of Asia Investment Joint Stock Company; Le Huy Thiem, Vice Chairman of VnFund; Nguyen Thu Hau, Marketing Director of Hiep Phong Company Limited; Nguyen Thi Phuong Thuy, Director of Nationwide Card Agency Channel Network Development; and Tran Phuong Thao, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Officer at the Entrepreneurship Center, VinUni University.

Representing NEU were Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Thi Dong, Director of the Center for Innovation and Career Development; Dr. Vu Van Ngoc, Dean of the Institute of Advanced, High-Quality and POHE Programs; Dr. Le Viet Thuy, Director of the Center for Information Technology Application; Dr. Vu Tri Tuan, Secretary of the Youth Union; and Dr. Nguyen Duc Nhan, President of the Student Association. Also attending were representatives of the leadership of University units, faculty and staff serving as entrepreneurship advisers and judges in the competition rounds, contestants’ parents and relatives, and students.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, delivers the opening remarks at the final night.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, emphasized the special attention NEU gives to incubation activities and entrepreneurship support for students.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu affirmed that every startup idea, whether small or large in scale, deserves recognition, as it demonstrates the dynamism, creativity and aspirations of young students who dare to think, act and turn their distinctive plans into reality.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, also praised the 10 outstanding projects that surpassed a host of promising competitors to reach the finals, offering compelling evidence of the teams’ efforts and resolve. He affirmed: “You are exemplary representatives of the aspiration to excel and the innovative spirit of Vietnam’s younger generation.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Thi Dong, Head of the Startup Olympiad 2025 Organizing Committee, reviews the competition’s journey.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Thi Dong, Head of the Startup Olympiad 2025 Organizing Committee, presented a report reviewing the competition’s journey. She noted that Startup Olympiad evolved from the NEUrON Competition, first held in 2018, and has since become a respected platform for students passionate about innovation. In 2025, the competition returned with a new look, a larger scale and more challenges for contestants.

During the registration round, the Organizing Committee received 113 applications featuring 113 business ideas from 453 students at nearly 30 educational institutions nationwide, including 69 fully developed, detailed project proposals. Following the initial assessment, 54 projects were selected for the incubation round. Here, teams participated in intensive training on business model development, new product marketing and pitching skills, alongside direct consultation sessions with mentors from businesses. After presenting their projects to expert panels, the 10 most outstanding projects officially advanced to the final night of Startup Olympiad 2025.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Thi Dong emphasized that, with its format inspired by the Olympic spirit, the program’s core values are to honor excellence, respect and friendship among young people who share entrepreneurial aspirations and continually seek ways to turn ideas into practical value. She also expressed deep gratitude to entrepreneurship advisers from businesses and higher education institutions, including NEU, for their dedicated guidance and support for contestants throughout the competition rounds.

University leaders and the competition’s Organizing Committee present commemorative gifts to the finalists.

Following the introduction of the 10 outstanding teams, the final night officially moved into its two main components: presentations and questions and answers. With just 5 minutes for each presentation, the teams delivered concise pitches reflecting a long process of effort, research and creativity. Each project offered a new approach and a bold solution to a problem involving technology, education, data, the environment or user experience. The auditorium repeatedly erupted with excitement in response to the contestants’ preparation, confidence and composure.

University leaders and the competition’s Organizing Committee present commemorative gifts to the judging panel.

Reflecting the rapid development of technology in recent years, most of this year’s projects focused on applying digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), to address practical needs in everyday life. This demonstrated the young participants’ perceptive thinking and ability to recognize trends.

The question-and-answer session was where the teams’ entrepreneurial mettle became most apparent. They faced a steady stream of direct questions about business models, target markets, risk management and scalability. Yet it was precisely in these seemingly high-pressure moments that the teams revealed their intelligence, quick thinking and strategic mindset, demonstrating the qualities of future founders who dare to face challenges, challenge arguments and assert themselves.

University leaders and the competition’s Organizing Committee present commemorative gifts to mentors and judges from the competition rounds.

Then, as the winning teams were announced, the entire auditorium erupted in applause and emotion. Outperforming nine outstanding competitors, Com Alpha—a joint team from FPT University Hanoi and NEU—won First Prize at Startup Olympiad 2025 with AIthenos, an EdTech model that uses AI to develop personalized learning pathways. The project impressed the judging panel with its breakthrough approach, ability to meet market needs and implementation team with diverse expertise.

Two Second Prizes were awarded to Chep Con for its Events project and Tranquil for its Nexcyra project. Eldershield, with its scam alert application for older adults, and Stasteps, with its data processing software, earned Third Prizes. In addition, Consolation Prizes were awarded to Herbfire (herbal wood pellets), Smartmaint (PVAI) and Ixom (UAI), recognizing the strong development potential of these ideas.

One stage has ended, but the teams’ entrepreneurial journeys are only now truly beginning. The knowledge gained from mentors, the judging panel’s insightful feedback and the memorable experiences throughout the competition will provide an important foundation, encouraging the teams to continue nurturing, refining and developing their projects in the future.

The Organizing Committee presents First Prize to Com Alpha for its Aithenos project.

The Organizing Committee presents Second Prizes to Chep Con for its Events project and Tranquil for its Nexcyra project.

The Organizing Committee presents Third Prizes to Eldershield and Stasteps.

The Organizing Committee presents Consolation Prizes to Herbfire for its cinnamon herbal wood pellet project, SmartMaints for its PVAI project and Ixom for its UAI project.

The final night of Startup Olympiad 2025 concluded on a high note, leaving a powerful impression of the younger generation’s innovative spirit and aspiration to create value. The competition has ended, but its positive energy and pioneering spirit continue to spread, inspiring young people who dare to dream and act. Entrepreneurship is not simply about launching a project; it is also a journey of beginning to believe in oneself and in one’s ability to make a difference and create new value for the community and society.

The Center for Innovation and Career Development at NEU extends its gratitude to all contestants, mentors, judges and supporting organizations. We look forward to welcoming entrepreneurial talents from across the country to future editions of Startup Olympiad, where bold ideas will continue to take flight and new entrepreneurial journeys will begin.

The Organizing Committee poses for a commemorative photo with the competing teams.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Thi Dong, Head of the Competition Organizing Committee, poses for a commemorative photo with the Dynamic Innovative Entrepreneurship Club, which supported the organization of the competition.

Article and photos: Center for Innovation and Career Development & Department of Communications

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.