LumiЯ wins First Prize at the 7th HaUI Startup Challenge

On the evening of June 10, the Final Round of the 7th HaUI Startup Challenge was held at Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI), bringing together six outstanding student teams to compete with innovative startup ideas. The competition concluded with LumiЯ – a robotic assistant for visually impaired people, developed by the Soft Robotics team from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, winning the First Prize.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dong, Vice President of Hanoi University of Industry, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hong Quan, Chairman of the HaUI Trade Union, presented the First Prize to the winning team.

The annual HaUI Startup Challenge is designed to cultivate entrepreneurial thinking, promote innovation and scientific research, and encourage students to transform academic knowledge into practical solutions with commercial and social value. The seventh edition attracted nearly 30 project proposals covering a broad spectrum of disciplines, reflecting the growing entrepreneurial spirit and interdisciplinary capabilities of HaUI students. Following the preliminary, training, and semifinal rounds, six projects demonstrating outstanding innovation, feasibility, and development potential were selected for the final.

Six finalist teams competed in the Final Round of the 7th HaUI Startup Challenge

The finalist projects addressed a wide range of contemporary challenges through advanced technologies and creative business models. Their areas of focus included artificial intelligence, automation, assistive technology, smart services, environmental sustainability, and the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural heritage through digital transformation.

The teams responded to questions from the judging panel during the Q&A session.

The six finalist projects comprised KopyMatch, an AI-powered multimodal verification platform for financial fraud prevention, developed by the School of Information and Communications Technology; EE-HaUI/SmartCem, a smart cemetery management system from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering; LumiЯ, a robotic assistant for visually impaired people developed by the Soft Robotics team from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering; LAUNDBOX, an intelligent laundry service solution presented by the Washy team from the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering; Style Saver, a sustainable fashion initiative developed by the EcoMinds team from the School of Economics; and Hạ Thái Lacquer - Local Touch, a digital platform connecting visitors with Hạ Thái traditional lacquerware village, developed by the School of Languages and Tourism.

Members of the judging panel posed questions directly to the finalist teams

At the final round, each team delivered a seven-minute project presentation followed by an eight-minute question-and-answer session with the judging panel. Contestants were evaluated on the significance of the problem addressed, technological innovation, market potential, business model, implementation strategy, financial viability, and scalability. The presentations demonstrated not only technical competence and creativity but also a strong awareness of contemporary social and economic challenges.

The Final Round was energized by the enthusiastic support of HaUI students, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere throughout the competition.

The judging panel comprised distinguished experts, entrepreneurs, and investors with extensive experience in innovation and startup development, including Pham Tuan Hiep, Investment Director of BK Holdings; Pham Anh Cuong, Chairman of BestB Capital Venture Fund; and Tran Van Lich, Director of the Vietnam Impact Startup Incubator and Accelerator (VISIA). Through rigorous questioning and constructive feedback, the panel provided valuable professional perspectives that enabled participants to further refine their projects and strengthen their entrepreneurial capacity.

Nguyen Van Tinh, a student from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and representative of the Soft Robotics team, responded to questions from the judging panel about the team's humanitarian robotic assistant for visually impaired people.

Among the finalist projects, LumiЯ, developed by the Soft Robotics team from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, distinguished itself through its strong social relevance and the innovative application of robotics to enhance the independence and quality of life of people with visual impairments. The project exemplifies the potential of engineering innovation to address pressing societal needs while advancing inclusive and human-centred technological development.

Following a rigorous evaluation process, LumiЯ was awarded the First Prize. The Second Prize was presented to LAUNDBOX, developed by the Washy team from the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, while Hạ Thái Lacquer – Local Touch, from the School of Languages and Tourism, received the Third Prize. KopyMatch, EE-HaUI/SmartCem, and Style Saver were each honoured with Consolation Prizes in recognition of their innovation, technical excellence, and promising development potential.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Trong Chuong, Head of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation at HaUI, and Mr. Pham Tuan Hiep, Investment Director of BK Holdings and Head of the Judging Panel, presented the Second Prize.

Mr. Do Minh Hien, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union at Hanoi University of Industry, and Mr. Tran Duy Khanh, President of the APEC Institute of Entrepreneurship Research and Training, presented the Third Prize.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Khoa, Vice Rector of the School of Economics, HaUI; Mr. Pham Anh Cuong, Chairman of BestB Capital Venture Fund; and Mr. Tran Van Lich, Director of the Vietnam Impact Startup Incubator and Accelerator (VISIA), presented the Consolation Prizes.

The 7th HaUI Startup Challenge reflects Hanoi University of Industry's continued commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer as integral components of its educational mission. Beyond recognising outstanding student achievements, the competition provides an important platform for interdisciplinary collaboration, engagement with industry experts and investors, and the advancement of innovative ideas with the potential to generate meaningful economic and societal impact. Through initiatives of this kind, HaUI continues to strengthen its innovation ecosystem while equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and entrepreneurial mindset required to thrive in an increasingly dynamic global environment.