UII Sandbox Program 2025 – “Seeds Of Change”: Planting Creativity, Nurturing a Sustainable Future

31 Oct, 2025

After more than a month of online implementation with 77 participating projects, the UII Sandbox Program 2025 – “Seeds of Change: Gen Z TechnoPreneurs,” organized by the UEH Institute of Innovation (UII), has officially selected 22 promising technology solutions to advance to the in-person Incubation Phase. This is the stage where students' innovative ideas are tested, developed into Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), and prepared for real-user trials. The UII Sandbox Program serves as a launchpad for a spirit of daring to think, act, and contribute to the community, affirming UEH's pioneering role in nurturing a generation of Gen Z leaders who will drive the future of innovation and sustainable development.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, M.A., spoke at Orientation Day

The UII Sandbox Program is an annual incubation program organized by the UEH Institute of Innovation, designed specifically for students in the early stages of developing startup ideas. Over 10 weeks, the program provides a creative learning and experimentation environment, equipping participants with foundational knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship. With a two-phase model (online & in-person), the Sandbox not only expands access nationwide but also serves as a long-term launchpad, preparing projects for advanced incubation and fundraising in the UII Incubation Program.

The UII Sandbox Program 2025 – “Seeds of Change: Gen Z TechnoPreneurs” emphasizes the importance of fostering a spirit of action and innovation among students. The program is not a competition but a journey of transforming ideas into action and developing solutions with real-world value.

Project teams engaged with the speaker at Workshop #1: Startup 101

From Academic Ideas to Practical Applications – Paving the Way for Sustainable Development

The UII Sandbox Program 2025 aims to help students develop ideas and solutions with practical applicability, often originating from final course projects, Design Thinking course assignments, and innovation idea competitions. Many students shared that after being inspired by their lecturers or completing a creative project, they turned to the UII Sandbox as the next step to develop their products and test their ideas in a real-world environment.

This year's Online Phase attracted 77 ideas from 44 teams and 28 individuals, doubling the number from the previous year. This growth demonstrates the increasing reach and interest in entrepreneurship and innovation among students. In total, the program saw the participation of 231 students from 16 universities nationwide, a testament to the Sandbox's appeal in connecting the student community across the country.

Moving into the in-person Incubation Phase, the program selected and brought together 22 promising projects with 100 students from diverse fields. Notably, this year's cohort includes students from 11 universities: UEH, HCMUS (University of Science, VNU-HCM), FPT University (FPTU), Van Hien University (VHU), HCMUT (University of Technology), HCMUSSH (University of Social Sciences and Humanities), Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV), University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City (UAH), Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), University of Transport Ho Chi Minh City (UTH), and Foreign Trade University (FTU). This highlights the unique value of UEH's entrepreneurship and innovation activities for students.

Many of this year's standout projects are the result of inter-university and interdisciplinary collaboration between UEH students and their peers from fields such as information technology, biomedicine, education, and engineering. This cross-pollination of disciplines has brought multidimensional perspectives, helping the project teams to refine their solutions with greater depth and practicality. Participating students shared that the program not only helps them better understand the process of developing a startup project from idea to MVP but is also where they learn effective teamwork, test themselves in a practical startup environment, and find like-minded teammates to build community-oriented solutions.

UII Sandbox Program 2025 is not merely a startup training course; it is a journey of self-transformation, where each young person is inspired to engage, create, and mature within a substantive and sustainable innovation ecosystem.

Notable projects of UII Sandbox Program 2025 are divided into 6 key focus areas:

Projects in Artificial Intelligence & Digital Technology: 4IHealth and ViLaw LegisAI

Projects in Education & Human Resources Technology: DIGI, Leaf-go, and Tay Nguyen Youth Innovation Summer Camp

Projects in Food & Retail Technology: FoodSave VN, An Gi Day?, Lowca

Projects in Fintech & E-commerce: Rentelier, Makenode

Projects in Green Technology & Sustainable Development: A-LOT, Ecosphera, SmartWatt, Re:Create

Projects in Green Technology & Sustainable Development: Nong Loc, Wisebite, Ecocrush

Projects in Smart City & Urban Mobility: ParkingHub, EcoBlock Delivery

Projects in Social & Cultural Technology: Gatero, Voltria, Glimpse

Project members attend Workshop 1: Startup 1on1

Towards Global Citizens Acting for Sustainable Development

The UII Sandbox Program 2025 is not just an entrepreneurial journey but also a process of nurturing global citizens who act for sustainable development. In the upcoming 10-week phase (October 20, 2025 – January 20, 2026), the student teams will gradually transform their ideas and proofs of concept (POCs) into Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), which will be tested with real users through two development-validation cycles. Under the guidance of UEH mentors and experts, students will not only learn to build technological solutions but also cultivate systems thinking and the ability to improve their products based on user and market feedback. They will also be connected with the UEH startup community, work in the creative space on the 15th floor of Campus B, and have the opportunity to receive non-refundable support (Innovation Grant) from the Giving to UEH Fund.

The program encourages students to "Think Global, Act Local"—to develop a global mindset and apply advanced technology while remaining closely connected to local needs and contexts. Through interdisciplinary teamwork experiences, real-user engagement, and interaction with domestic and international experts, students not only learn how to become startup founders but also grow into responsible global citizens, ready to shape a sustainable future for Vietnam and the world.

The 22 projects and SGAs participating in the in-person Incubation Phase of the UII Sandbox Program 2025, pictured at the conclusion of Orientation & Workshop #1: Startup 101

Pillars: Training, Community Connection

Project: UEH Connecting

News, photos: UEH Institute of Innovation