BK Startup Day and Vietnam Youth Innovation Festival 2024

On October 25, Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) held the BK Startup Day and Vietnam Youth Innovation Festival 2024, showcasing 10 student start-up projects and 7 groundbreaking AI ideas from top technical universities. The event attracted over 2,000 participants, including young entrepreneurs, investors, and representatives from reputable companies both domestically and internationally. 

Organized by HUST's BK Entrepreneurship Center in collaboration with the BK Fund and edtech startup Outsider, the festival aimed to foster a vibrant startup ecosystem for students.

In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Huynh Dang Chinh, Vice President of HUST, emphasized the university's commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent. “Our center is ready to support and mentor student start-up ideas while equipping them with essential skills for project management and development. The Vietnam Youth Innovation Festival is an excellent opportunity for students to connect with investors and industry leaders,” the Vice President stated.
 

Mr. Jaya Ratnam, Ambassador of Singapore to Vietnam, expressed enthusiasm for the student presentations, noting their potential for significant social impact and global innovation connections.
 

The exhibition area, featuring student technological solutions, became a major highlight of the event. Innovations on display included: Abaha, a mobile e-commerce platform integrated with Zalo Mini App; Hublock, a smart locker using palm vein recognition; and Kaiva, an AI-driven virtual interview tool; Sleep, a respiratory diagnostic system using FPGA technology; Xpath, a search and academic planner for students; DNA Mechatronics, a VR-assisted rehabilitation system for post-stroke recovery; and Solemate, orthotic insoles for flat-footed individuals.

Solemate integrated insole, designed to provide real-time data for flat-foot analysis, made a strong impression on investors. Tran Van Toan, a member of the Solemate team, commented, “The challenging questions from investors sparked ideas for product improvement and development. The interest from businesses and interactions with fellow aspiring entrepreneurs boosted our confidence.”
 

Another highlight was Team EVSE’s presentation on electric vehicle charging infrastructure solutions. Their proposal introduced competitively priced solutions and services including product evaluation, technology decryption and transfer, pre-standard compliance testing, and customized product development.

The festival also featured a roundtable discussion titled “Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Singaporean and Vietnamese Youth”, with insights from key speakers, including Dr. Truong Cong Tuan, Secretary of the HUST Youth Union, and Mr. Pham Tuan Hiep, CEO of BK Fund. The discussion offered valuable lessons and inspiration for students pursuing their entrepreneurial goals.
 

The BK Startup Day and Vietnam Youth Innovation Festival 2024 concluded successfully, creating new opportunities and connections for students eager to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys. HUST reaffirmed their role as a leader in supporting and advancing the startup movement in Vietnam, serving as a solid foundation for the next generation of entrepreneurs.