On May 17, 2025, DTU officially launched the competition “DTU Student Startup Ideas - DTU Startup 2025” with a Startup Talks discussion themed “Overcoming adversity in entrepreneurship: Smart strategies for young people”. The event attracted a large number of distinguished guests, DTU leaders, experts, business people, and hundreds of students passionate about startups and innovation.
A large number of invitees and students attended the launch of the competition “DTU Student Startup Ideas - DTU Startup 2025”
Building on the success of previous installments, DTU Startup returns in 2025 with many groundbreaking features. More than an intellectual arena, the competition is also an incubator for ideas, fostering entrepreneurial spirit and strategic thinking among DTU students.
“DTU Startup is an annual competition designed to ignite innovative thinking among students,” DTU Vice-Provost Dr Tran Nhat Tan affirmed in his opening remarks. “DTU strongly invests in a startup ecosystem with research centers and laboratories, where students can test and realize their startup ideas. As Danang is working hard on its digital transformation, DTU Startup offers an opportunity for students to propose innovative technology solutions that will make real contributions to the city’s development.”
DTU Vice-Provost Dr Tran Nhat Tan speaking at the event
On the theme “Touch the future: Startup alongside digital transformation”, the competition this year encourages students to try out high-impact fields in the digital age, such as artificial intelligence (AI), Blockchain, and renewable energy.
The competition will run from May 17 to August 23, 2025, and consists of three main rounds:
• Audition: May 17 to June 23,
• Activation: June 28 to August 2,
• Destination: August 23.
In parallel, the students will participate in five in-depth training programs on: writing and presenting projects, market research, BMC creation, filmmaking & product media, pitching skills, and critical thinking. They will also be able to join two in-depth mentorship programs and three in-person events.
Many innovative student startup products were on display
The competition covers a diverse range of fields: industry, agriculture, forestry, fishery, healthcare, education, culture, tourism, financial services, banking, and social impact business models.
Winners will receive attractive prizes: cash, trophies, certificates of merit, and opportunities for further incubation support and participation in other national and international startup competitions.
As part of the event, the Danang Regional Clubs Network for Innovation, Startups, & Digital Transformation (HUB Network) was officially launched, and HUB Network and the DTU Student Startup Club signed a cooperation agreement. Additionally, the Hub Forum 2025 on the theme “Embarking on a new era” was officially launched. To wit, Hub Forum Danang is the largest student-led innovation & startup forum in Central Vietnam, and gathers various regional student startup clubs. The event promises to bring many networking activities, practical startup support, and the spread of creativity and comprehensive skill development among students at universities throughout the city.
Official launch of the Danang Regional Clubs Network for Innovation, Startups, & Digital Transformation (HUB Network)
One of the highlights of the event was the Startup Talks discussion themed “Overcoming adversity in entrepreneurship: Smart strategies for young people”. The panel featured prominent speakers:
• Nguyen “Shark” Trung Dung, popularly known as the “king of condiments” and founder of Dh Foods,
• Tran Quang Hung, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi City Youth Union and HUB Network Chairman,
• Tran Thi Le Chi, master of ceremonies and CEO of Rong Tien Sa Media JSC.
The discussion featured speakers with lots of startup experience
With an open and intimate dialogue format, the speakers shared authentic stories, authentic experiences, and authentic practical lessons, inspiring the students and equipping them with real-world strategies to confidently navigate their startup journeys.
Student participation in the exchange was lively - a highlight of the event
The atmosphere at the event was lively and engaging, the students had many questions, and the exchange was touching. More than an inspirational event, it was also the first base in the DTU students’ journey towards realizing their startup dreams.
(Media Center)