Innovative Startups in Universities - The Journey from Lecture Hall to Marketplace

On August 19, 2026, the University of Economics - University of Danang organized a seminar entitled “Innovative Startups in Universities - The Journey from Lecture Hall to Marketplace”. This forum brought together speakers, experts, investors, and students to exchange and share valuable experience on the path of transforming an idea or a research product into a real startup business.

The seminar was the opening event of the Student Innovation Startup Week at the University of Economics - University of Danang, focusing on practical issues in the process of forming a startup: from product development, building a business model, mobilizing resources, to completing legal requirements.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doan Ngoc Phi Anh, Vice Rector of the University of Economics, University of Danang, emphasized the role of the university environment in shaping innovative capacity and supporting students to turn knowledge into applicable values in practice.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doan Ngoc Phi Anh speaking at the seminar

According to Mr. Pham Ngoc Sinh, Vice Chairman of the National Startup Advisory Council (VINEN) and Chairman of the Startup Advisory Council at the University of Economics, entrepreneurship in the university environment is not simply about creating a new product. The process also requires entrepreneurs to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, management skills, and the ability to organize resources to bring products to market and grow the business sustainably.

Mr. Pham Ngoc Sinh sharing about developing businesses from the university environment

Presenting flowers to thank the speakers

The seminar presentations focused on key issues in the journey of bringing an idea from the classroom to the marketplace:

- The presentation “Entrepreneurship - The Pathway to Becoming a Business Owner” was delivered by Mr. Pham Ngoc Sinh, Vice Chairman of the National Startup Advisory Council (VINEN) and Chairman of the Startup Advisory Council at the University of Economics.

Mr. Pham Ngoc Sinh delivering his presentation

- The presentation “Innovative Startups in Universities - The Journey from Lecture Hall to Marketplace” was delivered by Dr. Le Thi Minh Hang, Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, University of Economics - UD.

Dr. Le Thi Minh Hang delivering her presentation

- The presentation “Spin-off - A Successful Model for Research and Development” was delivered by Ms. Le My Nga, Chairwoman of WeAngels Capital Investment Fund.

Ms. Le My Nga delivering her presentation

- The presentation “Legal and Mechanisms for Establishing Innovative Startup Enterprises” was delivered by Mr. Le Trong Tuan, CEO of OBACKER JSC.

Mr. Le Trong Tuan delivering his presentation

At the program, Startup Runway 2026 teams, lecturers, and guests engaged in direct exchanges with experts about common challenges in the startup process—from market identification, product refinement, and business model development, to capital access and choosing appropriate legal structures.

Speakers emphasized that to go from product to business, university startup teams must tackle multiple challenges at once. The product must meet a real need; the business model must generate revenue; the team must have the capability to execute; and the business must be organized and operated within an appropriate legal framework.

This approach also aligns with the increasing demands for knowledge commercialization and stronger linkages between universities, enterprises, investors, and regulatory agencies. This collaboration is seen as a key condition for research outcomes and innovative ideas to overcome the boundaries of laboratories and lecture halls to reach the market.

In addition to the seminar, the program witnessed the cooperation between the University of Economics - University of Danang and the National Startup Association in training startup advisors. The organizers presented Certificates of Completion for the National Startup Advisor Training Program to graduates.

Awarding certificates to trainees

With the participation of experts, investors, lecturers, and the student startup community, the seminar contributed to expanding the network for consultation and connection for university startup projects. More importantly, the program created further opportunities for ideas born in lecture halls to be validated by market needs, and to continue refining their products, business models, and legal frameworks before moving towards commercialization.

Students visiting the startup project exhibition

Especially within the framework of the program, delegates, lecturers, and students also had the opportunity to visit the exhibition of student startup projects and OCOP (One Commune One Product) products, thereby discovering creative ideas, potential products, and inspiring startup stories emerging from real life.