NextGen Entrepreneurship Challenge 2025: A showcase of HaUI students’ innovation

On the evening of August 7, 2025, Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI) hosted the Final Round of the “NextGen Entrepreneurship Challenge” 2025 – a competition dedicated to fostering innovative start-up ideas among students. The event attracted a large number of participants, creating a vibrant intellectual arena that showcased the creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and resilience of HaUI students.

Delegates attending the final round of the competition

Held in alignment with Vietnam’s growing emphasis on developing a strong national start-up ecosystem, the competition underscored the central role of innovation-driven entrepreneurship in sustainable economic growth. By organizing NextGen 2025, HaUI reaffirmed its commitment to integrating entrepreneurial education with real-world application, while also fostering strategic connections among students, academia, businesses, and the investment community.

Following rigorous preliminary rounds, ten outstanding teams advanced to the final stage, presenting projects that combined originality with strong potential for market application. These included initiatives such as betel leaf essential oil for healthcare, AI-powered learning assistants, smart oral health monitoring devices, herbal skincare products, pineapple leaf fiber wigs, automated machine learning platforms, anti-motion-sickness socks, Vietnamese tea tourism experiences, historical immersive tours, and community care services. Each proposal reflected both technical ingenuity and an acute awareness of societal needs and market trends.

The top 10 teams at the Grand Finale

A highlight of the evening was the HaUI Technology Pavilion, where visitors explored the university’s most notable science and technology products. Guests also toured HaUI’s Smart Manufacturing Factory, providing investors and experts with first-hand insight into the university’s research capabilities, modern facilities, and students’ practical skills—opening new possibilities for collaboration and commercialization of start-up ideas.

The distinguished guests visited the University’s Smart Manufacturing Room

The judging panel praised all finalists for their originality, market awareness, and problem-solving approach. Several projects attracted investment interest from attending sponsors and industry experts.

The competing teams presented their projects and responded to critical questions posed by the judging panel

After an intense series of presentations and Q&A sessions, Team T-LEAF emerged as Champion with their Betel Leaf Health Care project. The Second Prize was awarded jointly to Team Dentists Time (Smart Oral Health Monitoring Watch) and Team Mộc Linh (Herbal Skincare Cosmetics). The Third Prize went to Team Dứa Pina (Pineapple Leaf Fiber Wigs), Team MickeAI (AI Intelligent Learning Assistant), and Team Tratrip (Vietnamese Tea Journey).

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lê Ba Phong, Vice Headmaster of the School of Foreign Languages and Tourism, HaUI; Dr. Trần Duy Khanh, Director of the APEC Institute of Entrepreneurial Research and Training and Vice Chairman of the National Startup Advisory Council; and Mr. Đỗ Minh Hiền, Secretary of the HaUI Youth Union, presented the Champion Award to Team T-LEAF

Dr. Đặng Thành Đạt, Deputy Director of the Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Support Center, Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Dr. Trương Thanh Hằng, Vice Rector of the Faculty of Economics, HaUI; and Mr. Phạm Tuấn Hiệp, Investment Director of BK Holdings, awarded the Second Prize to Teams Dentists Time and Mộc Linh.

Mr. Hoàng Văn Dũng, Deputy Director of the Financial Investment Advisory Board, SHB Bank; Mr. Phạm Đức Thịnh, Chairman and CEO of An Khánh Precision Mechanical JSC; and Mr. Phạm Anh Cường, Chairman and CEO of BEST Business Ecosystem, Director of Best Capital, presented the Third Prize to Teams Dứa Pina, MickeAI, and Tratrip.

Mr. Vũ Mạnh Thìn, Chairman of Ambassador Len JSC; Mr. Nguyễn Sơn Lâm – Speaker and VDFS Ambassador; and Ms. Tô Thị Thu Hường,Representative of Phuc Dat Food Processing and Trading Co., Ltd., presented the Prospective Award to the promising teams

NextGen 2025 transcended the boundaries of a traditional competition, evolving into a transformative journey defined by personal growth, strengthened confidence, and a dedication to meaningful contributions. HaUI remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, nurturing entrepreneurial aspirations, and preparing students to excel as globally competitive professionals in an era of dynamic national development.