UII Showcase Day 2024 - Incubating startup and innovation ideas

14 Feb, 2025

UII Showcase Day 2024 is a significant event marking the entrepreneurial journey of student-led projects under the UII Sandbox Program - a platform where creative ideas are brought to life through an intensive incubation process. More than just the culmination of ten weeks of dedicated effort, the event serves as an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to connect, learn, and grow. It provides students with a safe and well-supported environment where they are encouraged to experiment, embrace failure, and refine their ideas. Regardless of whether they choose to pursue entrepreneurship in the long term, the knowledge, skills, and mindset they have cultivated during their time in the UII Sandbox Program will remain valuable assets, empowering them to confidently tackle future challenges.

UII Showcase Day 2024 - A Journey Of Learning And Growth

In January 2025, UII Showcase Day 2024 was successfully held, marking the official conclusion of over 10 weeks of incubation with the participation of 11 student-led projects from the UII Sandbox Program 2024. The event attracted a diverse audience, including industry experts, faculty members, UEH students, and passionate young innovators. Notably, UII Showcase Day 2024 was honored to welcome distinguished speakers and industry experts, including Ms. Nguyễn Thu Thảo – Head of Strategic Alliance & OFEI, Channels & Digitalisation - UOB Vietnam; Ms. Bùi Thị Thanh Tú – Community Manager at Business Startup Support Center (BSSC); Mr. Ngô Anh Tuấn – Founder & CEO of Beloved & Beyond; Ms. Nguyễn Thị Phương Thảo – Deputy Director of UEH Institute of Innovation, Mr. Huỳnh Ngọc Quang Anh – Lecturer at UEH Institute of Innovation

UII Showcase Day 2024

UII Sandbox Program 2024 - The Fintech Batch: A Launchpad For Breakthrough Ideas

As one of the three pillars of the "FinTechNovation Credentials" initiative - co-organized by the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) and UOB Vietnam, in collaboration with the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and UOB Group, and executed by the UEH Institute of Innovation. UII Sandbox Program focuses on supporting FinTech startup projects. This sector is receiving significant attention and has immense growth potential in the era of Industry 4.0.

The 2024 cohort received 31 applications from students eager to incubate and develop their ideas. Through a rigorous selection process, 15 high-potential ideas were chosen to participate. Over 10 intensive weeks, participants engaged in: 11 in-depth workshops, 2 milestone presentations to track progress, 18 open office hours for mentorship, 64 growth sessions, and 1 special office hour with experienced experts and international mentors.

This journey was not only about acquiring knowledge but also about developing an entrepreneurial mindset. From initial concepts, projects underwent business model validation, idea refinement, and MVP (Minimum Viable Product) development. With guidance from Startup Growth Associates, experienced mentors, and the unwavering efforts of students, these ideas gradually matured, gearing up for UII Sandbox Showcase Day.

UII Showcase Day 2024 - A Hub For Innovative Ideas

UII Showcase Day 2024 served as a crucial milestone, highlighting the growth and potential of the participating projects. The event featured two main activities: the Sandbox Exhibition and Sandbox Pitching. The exhibition space allowed teams to showcase their products, engage with attendees and receive valuable feedback from industry experts. More than just a presentation, it was an opportunity to network, foster collaborations, and explore potential investment prospects.

The Sandbox Pitching session was one of the most anticipated segments, where 11 outstanding projects took the stage to present their innovative business models spanning various industries. Among the standout ideas were smart locker solutions for public spaces, a virtual fitting platform for fashion retail, and advanced EdTech applications. Each project not only demonstrated high real-world applicability but also showcased strong analytical and presentation skills, impressing the panel of experts and guests. The showcased ideas embodied the spirit of innovation and the potential to create tangible value for the community.

UII Sandbox Program Projects’ Exhibition booths

UII Sandbox Program Projects’ presentations

Panel Discussion: 10 Weeks Of Growth - Lessons That Last

Following the pitching session, the event continued with a panel discussion titled "10 Weeks of Growth – Lessons That Last." This session provided an opportunity for teams to reflect on their entrepreneurial journey, sharing insights on overcoming challenges, taking risks, and developing essential business skills. Throughout the program, students were equipped with practical tools and frameworks, including Design Thinking, Empathy Mapping, Lean Canvas, Prototype Testing, and customer feedback measurement techniques.

Mai Xuân Thắng - Co-founder of DOFI shared: "The Design Thinking workshops helped us realize that our previous approach to problem-solving was entirely different from customer expectations. The speakers encouraged us to go out, talk to customers, and learn to empathize through the Empathy Map. Through this process, we identified pain points that our initial product had not addressed. This insight led us to make a critical pivot in designing an MVP that truly delivers value."

Beyond the workshops, one of the most memorable highlights of the journey was the opportunity to meet and listen to real-life stories from experienced startup founders. These interactions provided both inspiration and valuable lessons. One of the most important takeaways for the UII Sandbox program’s projects was the mindset of embracing challenges and overcoming the fear of failure. Vũ Anh Hào, Co-founder of VOVIBE, shared: "Previously, our team used to worry that everything had to be perfect from the start. However, after engaging with experienced founders, we learned that an MVP only needs to be good enough to gather feedback, which can then be used for further development and refinement. This realization gave us the confidence to bring our MVP to potential customers, collect valuable feedback, and make immediate improvements. It was truly an invaluable lesson about the importance of taking risks and being adaptable."

The ten-week journey was also an opportunity for teams to develop essential skills, from teamwork and crisis management to handling pressure. Nguyễn Thị Thùy Linh, Co-founder of Econet, reflected: "Participating in the UII Sandbox Program was truly a turning point for me. It not only helped me improve my teamwork and crisis management skills within the project but also brought about positive changes in how I manage my time, develop critical thinking, and stay motivated to grow in both my professional and personal life."

The panel discussion concluded in an atmosphere of excitement, fueled by the energy and enthusiasm of the participating projects. With a solid foundation of knowledge, a bold and proactive mindset, and the skills honed throughout the ten-week journey, the discussion not only allowed participants to reflect on their invaluable experiences but also served as a powerful source of motivation for young entrepreneurs. This will be a stepping stone, empowering them to innovate with confidence and face even greater challenges in the future.

Panel Discussion: 10 weeks of growth - lessons that last

The End Of A Journey

Following the project presentations and an in-depth evaluation by the judging panel, the UII Sandbox Showcase Day awards found their well-deserved winners:

First Prize - BOXUP: A project offering a modern smart locker solution designed to meet the need for secure and convenient storage in public spaces.
Second Prize - StyleSnap: A virtual fitting platform tailored for fashion retail stores, aiming to enhance the shopping experience for customers.
Third Prize - Fine Platform: An innovative EdTech solution designed to bridge educational gaps through advanced technology.

BOXUP Team

StyleSnap Team

Fine Platform Team

Fintechnovation Credentials - Laying The Foundation For The Future

The journey through the UII Sandbox Program 2024 was by no means easy, yet the participating projects overcame challenges with excellence, demonstrating perseverance and ambition. The organizing team firmly believes that the stories presented at Showcase Day will serve as a powerful source of inspiration, particularly for students who aspire to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys.

Looking back, the program has not only provided students with a strong foundation for entrepreneurship but has also equipped them with invaluable experiences for their future. Regardless of whether they choose to continue down the startup path or pursue a different direction, the knowledge, skills, and mindset they have developed will remain their trusted companions, empowering them to confidently tackle any challenges that lie ahead.

Below are some highlights from the event:

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"FinTechNovation Credentials" is an initiative co-organized by UEH and UOB Vietnam, with the support of the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and UOB Group, and implemented by the UEH Institute of Innovation. The program includes training courses, intensive coaching sessions, and an innovation incubation program designed for students in the fields of Technology, Finance, and Banking.

News & Images: UEH Institute of Innovation