Revealing the winner of Innovative Startup Ideas Contest – NTTU Startup 2020

Revealing the winner of Innovative Startup Ideas Contest – NTTU Startup 2020

On September 25, 2020, Nguyen Tat Thanh University held the final round of the “Innovative Start-up Ideas Contest – NTTU Start-up 2020” with the participation of 12 teams with 12 excellent projects.

The guests are delegates representing various enterprises, including Dr. David Ngo – Chairman of the Board, IP Group, Mr. Huynh Thanh Van, Vice Chairman of the southern Association of Start-up Consulting and Supporting Council, Dr. Phan Cong Chinh – General Director of YOOT Technology and Training Joint Stock Company, Mr. Mai Ngoc Liem – Director of SCF Financial Company, Mr. Thuy Vo – Director of Finance and Investment of YOOT Technology and Training Joint Stock Company, Mr. Nguyen Dong – Director of Javis Ventures (Tokyo) Ltd, Ms. Tran Truc Phuong – Chairman, General Director of Tourism Economic Development and Training Joint Stock Company, Ms. Nguyen Thu Ha – Director of New Value Creation company, Mr. Tran Le Minh Tu – Director of Eximbank (District 9 Branch) and other Ho Chi Minh City-based enterprises’ delegates.

Delegates from our sponsors for the competition include Mr Nguyen Quang Minh – Apec Group’s Chairman Secretary – main sponsor, Ms. Bui Kieu My – representative of HCMC Youth Cultural Center – Finale sponsor.

From Nguyen Tat Thanh University, there was the participation of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Hong – Vice President and Deputy of steering committee, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong –Head of Corporate Relations and Student Job Placement Department and Head of organizing committee, Mr. Huynh Thanh Dien (judge) – Head of Economics and Research Methodology Department, Business Administration Faculty, Ms. Huynh Hong Mai – Deputy Head of Corporate Relations and Student Job Placement Department, Deputy Director of Center for Innovation and Incubation NTTU and Deputy Head of organizing committee, Mr. Hua Phu Doan – President of NTTU enterprises club, Dr. Duong Trong Hai – Dean of IT Faculty and Deputy Head of organizing committee.

The organizing awarded certification of appreciation to the judges and took a group photo

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Hong shared that: “We are living in the era of Industry 4.0 and that requires higher education to be developed in such context. The products of higher education in Industry 4.0’s era are not only bringing job opportunities, but also creating graduates with creativity, entrepreneurship and venturesome spirit. The participating projects of this year are outstanding and grounded on critical issues in our society. The topics of the projects aim to highlight the domestic and world trends, raising the issues of environmental protection concerned by nations and the world. Environmental protection is also cared in terms of business ethics. I’m very pleased to stand here and observe the improvement of students. I would like to thank our sponsors who love our students and our university”.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Hong spoke at the final round

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong – Head of organizing committee spoke at the final round

With a team of judges who are experts, business leaders with expertise and experience, the final round of NTTU Startup 2020 competition included various interesting and academic contents. The competition was divided into several parts which are poster presentation and presentations of displays, samples, products, etc., and finally a defense session to persuade the judges, sponsors and investors. The participating teams have completely conquered the judges with their confidence, professionalism and unique ideas.

After many competitive and intense rounds, the topic of Supper Algae – Application of Spirulina to produce Shrimp food from 3 students (Nguyen Ngoc Tran, Tran Thi Nga, Bui Phuoc Truong) under the guidance of Mr Huynh Van Hieu from Faculty of Biotechnology won the first prize of VND 70 million. Second prizes of VND 50 million went to 2 teams with the topics of “AICC – Application of artificial intelligence in career counselling” (Faculty of IT) and “F.N.B (Future NTTU Breakout) Blue and Green” (Faculty of Finance and Accounting). Third prizes of VND 17 million belonged to 2 teams with the topics of “Gladiator – The process of producing snack from durian skin” presented by alumni of Faculty of Pharmacy and “Beauti future straw- Straw made of umbrella palm (Faculty of Biotechnology). After the competition, excellent projects will represent NTTU to participate in the National Startup competitions and be provided support in incubation, product commercialization and investor networking.

Organizing committee awarded the first and second prizes

Apart from the abovementioned prizes, the organizing committee also awarded 2 prizes of Social Impact award and 5 consolation prizes with the value of VND 17 million each. In addition, the organizers gave gifts to students participating in the competition and cheering on other teams.

NTTU Start-up 2020 is an annual program to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship in both daily life and learning-research activities. It creates a practical platform for innovation and creativity development. The competition hopes to find opportunities to select innovative ideas with originality, feasibility which can be supported, incubated and developed successfully to become Start-ups. Moreover, the competition will help to connect enterprises with students, creating opportunities for projects teams to meet and network with potential investors.

Some other photos took at NTTU Startup 2020’s the finale.

Article: Phan Tiên

Photos: Duy Anh