Nurturing students' entrepreneurial dreams

Innovative startups are increasingly attracting the attention of universities in the city through many competitions and academic playgrounds. From here, many potential ideas are discovered, nurtured and developed. This is not only an opportunity for students to demonstrate their abilities but also an important stepping stone on the journey to pursue their passion and career aspirations of young people.

The Voi Ban Don team won first prize at the Startup Runway Competition 2025 of the University of Economics (University of Danang). Photo: THU HA

From idea to action

Startup playgrounds in Da Nang are increasingly expanding in scale, many competitions organized by universities attract hundreds of participating teams, showing strong influence.

After 9 years of organization, the Startup Runway Competition of the University of Economics (University of Danang) has increasingly affirmed its reputation and is expected by startup students. This has become a familiar playground for students in the city, because the special feature of Startup Runway lies not only in its high competitiveness but also in its learning and training value.

During the competition, contestants will participate in online startup courses on the Studyart platform, in-depth training and coaching with experts on brand identity building, business models, fundraising skills, and participate in seminars, talks, and listen to sharing and discussions from experienced people.

Teams participating in presenting ideas and displaying products at the 2025 Student Startup Competition of Dong A University. Photo: THU HA

Associate Professor Dr. Doan Ngoc Phi Anh, Vice Rector of the University of Economics (University of Danang) said that Startup Runway is not only a competition but also contributes to the formation of a sustainable startup ecosystem, linking innovation with science - technology and national digital transformation. The activities implemented in the competition are a platform to connect ideas with businesses and investors; connect students with experts and the community; connect knowledge with action to create new values...

“Over the past decade, many student projects from Startup Runway seasons have won national and international awards, with products that have progressed to commercialization and market access, affirming the creative capacity of the young generation. Through these activities, the school hopes to become a center of knowledge, a pioneer in promoting students' entrepreneurial aspirations,” Associate Professor Dr. Doan Ngoc Phi Anh expressed.

Similarly, at the recent 2025 Student Startup Competition of Dong A University with the theme "UDA Startup Innovation 2025", participating projects were thoroughly trained on business models, building viable products, and market research with the support of a team of experienced startup instructors and consultants.

Dr. Do Trong Tuan, Permanent Vice President of Dong A University, said that the competition is not only a place to nurture creative ideas, but also a platform to help students develop entrepreneurial thinking, problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to the digital economic context. This is an important premise for today's ideas to become businesses in the future, making practical contributions to the community and society.

Connect with startup networks

According to MSc. Nguyen Thi Minh Ngoc, Deputy Executive Director of Da Nang Business Incubator (DNES), the quality of startup competitions organized by Dong A University in particular and universities in the city in general is increasingly improved. The school's companionship in the startup ecosystem helps students have an overview of startups, creating motivation for students to develop their skills.

Participating in startup competitions, contestants experience training activities and skills to complete the best project. In the photo: A team is presenting their idea at Startup Runway 2025. Photo: THU HA

Over the years, the University of Technical Education (University of Danang) has built an innovative startup ecosystem, creating ideal playgrounds to nurture students' ideas.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Vo Trung Hung, Vice Principal of the University of Technical Education, universities play an important role in inspiring creativity and nurturing student start-up projects.

The school has built an internal innovation ecosystem to connect research groups and student startup projects with the external ecosystem.

At the same time, develop the school's first campus into an innovation center (Hud Innovation), combine businesses to set up laboratories and research centers, and support students to develop research topics into startup projects.

It is known that, in order to connect and promote collective strength in the academic community, within the framework of the Danang Innovation and Startup Festival - SURF 2025 taking place at the end of July, the innovation network of universities and colleges in Danang city was formed.

Students introduce displayed products. Photo: SONG KHUÊ

This network is a bridge between universities and colleges, aiming to promote cooperation, resource sharing in research, teaching, idea incubation and technology transfer.

Not only stopping at supporting startups in each school, the network also aims to spread the spirit of innovation, build a dynamic and open academic environment, contributing to forming a sustainable startup ecosystem for the whole city.

As one of the units participating in the Innovation Network of universities and colleges in the city, the representative of the leadership of the Vietnam - UK Institute for Research and Training (VNUK), Danang University said that innovation is not only a development strategy but also a core foundation in training, research and community engagement activities.

Joining the network is a step demonstrating VNUK's commitment to accompanying higher education institutions in the area, promoting innovative thinking and spreading the entrepreneurial spirit among the community of students, lecturers and researchers in the Central region.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/nuoi-duong-uoc-mo-khoi-nghiep-cua-sinh-vien-3302849.html