RMIT celebrates women entrepreneurs driving social impact in Vietnam

RMIT celebrates women entrepreneurs driving social impact in Vietnam

Women entrepreneurs are redefining social impact in Vietnam, proving their power to drive meaningful change. RMIT Vietnam's recent event celebrated these trailblazers who are tackling global challenges with passion and purpose.

In a world grappling with complex global challenges like climate change, poverty, inequality, and insufficient access to education and healthcare, traditional philanthropy and government efforts are no longer enough. Social impact startups, fuelled by innovation and a passion for meaningful change, are stepping in to address these issues head-on. A remarkable force within this movement is the rise of women-led enterprises, transforming the entrepreneurial landscape while championing social and environmental sustainability.

The State of Social Enterprise 2024 report highlights a significant trend: one in two social enterprises worldwide are women-led, compared to just one in five conventional businesses. Women entrepreneurs are reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape, leading ventures that prioritise sustainability, champion diversity and inclusion, and create tangible, positive impacts on society.

To honour this momentum and celebrate international Women’s Entrepreneurship Day on 19 November, RMIT Vietnam's Business School hosted a captivating event as part of its Entrepreneurship Talk Series.Themed ‘EmpowerHer: Female Entrepreneurs Driving Social Impact in Vietnam’, the event drew over 200 participants, including students, professionals, and social impact enthusiasts. The event was supported by SPARK Hub, RMIT Careers, Alumni & Industry Relations, and the RMIT Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship (RISE) student club.

Panellists at the eventThe event featured a panel discussion with trailblazing women entrepreneurs.

Inspiring panel discussion and showcase

The highlight of the event was a panel discussion featuring two trailblazing female entrepreneurs: Ms Thao Lam, Founder and CEO of Impact Link Asia, and Ms Huyen Luong, Founder and CEO of ECO Solutions. The conversation was moderated by RMIT lecturer Dr Trang Le and delved into social impact startups, exploring their vital role in today’s world, the foundational steps to establish one, and the challenges of balancing profitability with mission-driven goals.

Ms Huyen Luong shared her personal journey as a woman entrepreneur, reflecting on the unique challenges women face in the entrepreneurial space and the strengths they bring to the table. “The impact journey can start with the smallest steps,” she emphasised. Her insights resonated deeply with attendees, highlighting the value of resilience and the power of women to drive meaningful change.

Audiences at the EmpowerHer eventAudiences at the EmpowerHer event

Meanwhile, Ms Thao Lam offered a candid perspective on what impact investors seek in socially driven startups. “Success comes from consistency and dedication to the process, no matter the ups and downs,” she said, encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs to persevere despite the hurdles.

The event also featured an interactive showcase spotlighting innovative, women-led startups. Participants had the chance to explore groundbreaking ideas, engage with the entrepreneurs behind them, and draw inspiration from their determination and creativity.

ECO Solutions Vietnam’s booth at the showcaseECO Solutions Vietnam’s booth at the showcase
Bags by Jamlos, an RMIT alumnus-owned businessBags by Jamlos, an RMIT alumnus-owned business

Key messages for aspiring entrepreneurs

The event concluded with powerful remarks from Associate Professor Elaine Chew, Associate Head of the Management Department at The Business School, RMIT Vietnam. Her message was a rallying call for students aspiring to embark on their own entrepreneurial journeys.

“You may have heard of ‘startup unicorns,’ but have you heard of ‘impact unicorns’? These are startups with the ambitious goal of improving one billion lives,” Associate Professor Chew remarked. “The future of our planet and society depends on innovative minds like yours, working collaboratively to address these challenges.”

(L-R) Dr Trang Le, Ms Huyen Luong, Ms Thao Lam, and Associate Professor Elaine Chew(L-R) Dr Trang Le, Ms Huyen Luong, Ms Thao Lam, and Associate Professor Elaine Chew

The RMIT academic also underscored the importance of starting small, staying true to one’s core values, and embracing the learning process. “The entrepreneurial journey can be bumpy, especially when striving for sustainability alongside social impact. Consistency, discipline, and a commitment to learning and connecting with experienced mentors are key.”

A celebration of women leading change

The EmpowerHer event not only celebrated the contributions of women entrepreneurs but also provided an inspiring platform for dialogue, learning, and networking. It underscored the transformative potential of women-led ventures in driving social impact and highlighted the critical role of entrepreneurship in addressing global challenges.

RMIT Vietnam’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation was evident throughout the event, leaving participants motivated to take their first steps, or next steps, toward creating a better future.

Story: Dr Trang Le, Hanh Nguyen

11 December 2024
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