Student Innovation Startup Week 2026: From Aspiration to the Ability to Form Enterprises

On August 20, 2026, the Student Innovation Startup Week and the Final Round of the Startup Runway 2026 Competition officially opened with the message “Aspiring to Start Up, Becoming an Enterprise”.

In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doan Ngoc Phi Anh - Vice Rector of the University of Economics – stated that this year’s Innovation Startup Week and Startup Runway competition is not only about selecting the best ideas and presentations. The exhibition space, networking activities, and post-competition advisory sessions all focus on essential questions: What problem does the product solve? Who truly needs this product? What further conditions does the project need to move forward? The university’s expectation is not only the teams called to the stage, but also projects with clearer development pathways after the program.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doan Ngoc Phi Anh delivering the opening speech

Mr. Le Son Phong - Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Da Nang City - stated: “We highly appreciate the university’s dedication to maintaining and developing the competition, gradually making Startup Runway a practical activity within the city’s startup ecosystem. I hope that the achievements will go beyond the competition, with projects continuing to be perfected, connected to the market, businesses, and investors, gradually forming products and business models capable of development”.

Mr. Le Son Phong speaking at the program

The program featured the participation of 50 teams, along with more than 30 businesses and OCOP entities in the city, creating a networking space connecting students with businesses, experts, and startup support organizations.

The week was organized under the orientation of Resolution 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation; Decision 336/QD-TTg dated February 25, 2026, of the Prime Minister on the Program to Support Student Startups for the 2026–2035 period; and Resolution 86/NQ-CP dated April 5, 2026, of the Government on the National Strategy for Innovative Startups.

Officially launching the journey with the message “Aspiring to Start Up, Becoming an Enterprise”

Expressing gratitude to co-organizing units

Caption: Expressing gratitude to experts

At the opening ceremony, the University of Economics signed memorandums of cooperation with five enterprises, focusing on finance, business consulting, training, technology, research commercialization, and supporting startup projects.

Within the cooperation framework, VPBank aims to accompany and financially support startup projects introduced by the university, with a projected sponsorship of up to 300 million VND per project; at the same time, expanding internship opportunities and recruitment priorities for students of the University of Economics.

Signing cooperation with Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank)

OBacker Joint Stock Company, a provider of specialized solutions in accounting, taxation, corporate law, and human resources management, will offer free support packages for business establishment and back-office operations in the early stages for university-nominated startup teams; as well as support in accessing startup policies and preferential services for intellectual property and research commercialization.

Signing cooperation with OBacker Joint Stock Company

IISC - Innovation Startup Investment and Support Joint Stock Company - will directly accompany students in practical projects on e-commerce, digital marketing, and innovative startups. IISC will support training, practical coaching, mentoring, as well as provide warehousing, processing workshops, and consider funding or co-investment in each potential startup project.

Signing cooperation with Innovation Startup Investment and Support Joint Stock Company (IISC)

ONEPMS Joint Stock Company will partner with the university in training activities linked to business practice, organizing workshops, seminars, OJT internship programs, and implementing applied research projects. This cooperation will create an environment for students to accumulate practical experience, develop problem-solving skills, and test new solutions - important foundations for forming and developing innovative startup ideas.

Signing cooperation with ONEPMS Joint Stock Company

ViHAT Technology Co., Ltd. will support student and faculty startup teams in business formation, applying call center solutions, Zalo platforms, and digital technology; as well as advising on intellectual property, research commercialization, and business operations. ViHAT’s participation will help university startup ideas and projects access experts, technology, and essential resources to gradually develop in the market.

Signing cooperation with ViHAT Technology Co., Ltd.

Presenting congratulatory flowers to enterprises

In subsequent activities, the program will organize a seminar "Universities, State, and Enterprises: The Journey to Promote OCOP Products in Da Nang City", the Startup Runway 2026 Final Round, and an exhibition area for contest projects, OCOP products, and local innovative products.

The Student Innovation Startup Week and Startup Runway 2026 Final are organized by the University of Economics - University of Danang in collaboration with agencies, organizations, businesses, and startup support entities.

- Co-organizing units of the Week: National Startup Association (ViNEN); Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Central Highlands Branch; Rural Development Sub-Department (Department of Agriculture and Environment of Da Nang City) (expected to be invited).

- Co-organizing units of Startup Runway 2026: Department of Science and Technology of Da Nang City; Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Da Nang City; Young Entrepreneurs Association of Da Nang City; Da Nang Business Incubator (DNES).

- Coordinating and supporting units: Danang Center for Innovative Startup Support; University of Danang and its member universities; high schools; businesses, startup support organizations, incubators, experts, mentors, and related units.