Future Founders Competition: Igniting innovation for Vietnam's digital economy

Tiếng Việt

Future Founders Competition: Igniting innovation for Vietnam's digital economy

Empowering Vietnam's digital economy, the innovative contributions of students in RMIT Activator’s Future Founders Competition have contributed to accelerating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

In the culmination of its fifth season, the Future Founders Competition (FFC23), hosted by the Business School and Activator at RMIT Vietnam, ended with a spectacular final pitch. For two months, participants poured their passion into innovation, aligning their ideas with this year's theme: “How might startup ideas support Vietnam's digital economy in bringing forward innovative solutions to deliver an impact to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs by 2030?”

The competition, revolving around Vietnam's digital economy, harnessed opportunities for innovative solutions addressing social and environmental challenges in line with the SDGs.

In this season, the FFC23 spotlighted goals 3, 8, 9, 12, and 13, channelling the entrepreneurial spirit towards goals that promote good health and wellbeing, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation, and infrastructure, responsible consumption and production, and climate action. The competition not only boosted the entrepreneurial spirit but also served as a conduit for change, aligning startup ideas with global efforts to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

After an intensive selection process, the top seven teams emerged, each presenting outstanding innovations poised to make a lasting impact.

Top 7 finalists, judges, sponsors, partners, organisers, and leaders of RMIT The Business School at the Final Pitch

The event witnessed the keen evaluation of six accomplished judges, each a luminary in their respective fields:

Mr Khuat Quang Hung, Director of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability of Nestle Vietnam
Mr Dominik Meichle, Managing Director of Bosch Vietnam
Mr Huynh Cong Thang, Co-Founder & CEO of InnoLab Asia
Ms Marina Tran-Vu, Founder & CEO of EQUO
Mr Nakashoji Kazuhiro, Director of Dream Incubator Vietnam
Dr Stephane-Laure Caubet, Founder & CEO of 8S 2 Business

Dr Justin Xavier (first from left), Lead of Future Founders Competition 2023, and the six judges

The success of FFC23 would not have been possible without the support of two strategic partners, Nestle Vietnam and Reactor School, along with 14 sponsors and partners, opening numerous opportunities for the development of the competition and the journey for all

Dr Justin Xavier and representatives from strategic partners and sponsors

The top three winning teams, with groundbreaking ideas poised for the future, are:

Champion: EMEDY - A comprehensive solution for maternity healthcare

Champion of Future Founders Competition 2023, EMEDY, consists of Nguyen Huynh Ngoc Trang, Nguyen Anh Thu, Thai Nha Linh, Pham Minh Anh, and Nguyen Phuc Hoai Thuong

EMEDY's vision is to revolutionise pregnancy healthcare support, ensuring equal access for all Vietnamese mothers. Their app tracks health through Electronic Health Records and vaccination, while addressing discomfort symptoms with personalised evaluations and risk prediction.

1^st Runner Up: 2 Legit 2 Quit - EcoClump: Revolutionising textile SMEs

1st runner up - 2 Legit 2 Quit includes: Phan Vo Mai Hien, Vu Hoang Kim, Nguyen Tran Xuan Mai, Tran Nguyen Minh Khoi, and Bui Dang Khoi

Innovating wastewater treatment for textile SMEs, 2 Legit 2 Quit introduces EcoClump, an organic clumping powder made from wasted dragon fruit peels. It addresses UN Sustainable Development Goals 3, 9, and 12 by reducing toxin exposure, protecting communities, and boosting SME competitiveness.

2^nd Runner Up: S.T.A.R - EdTech platform for personalised career paths

2nd runner up Future Founders Competition 2023 – S.T.A.R includes: Luu Anh Phuong, Huynh Tran Anh Kim, Nguyen Van Thai, Phan Ngoc Thach, and Ho Le Minh Thach

S.T.A.R's edtech platform empowers students to define their own career paths, contributing to a high-quality labour force and sustainable economic growth.

In addition to the main awards, special recognition goes to:

Most technically advanced prototype: EMEDY
Greatest social impact: 2 Legit 2 Quit
Best commercial potential: Delwantamice

FFC23 may have concluded, but for the winners, the journey has just begun. As they embark on the path of entrepreneurship, the support and mentorship gained throughout this competition will undoubtedly be their guiding light.

The newly crowned champion shared reflections on their profound journey, "The most valuable thing we achieved is not the champion title but the journey we have been through together. It is personal growth, resilience, and self-discovery that makes this truly profound. Each challenge faced became a steppingstone, and each setback was an opportunity to learn."

Relive the magic of FFC23 by watching the video recap here.

Follow the activities of RMIT Activator Vietnam and see where the winning Future Founders teams take their ideas with ongoing support on Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn.

Story: Hanh Nguyen

Campus and community

22 October 2023