Startup runway 2019 final round: Spreading start-up spirit and launching ideas to new level

The evening of 7^th June saw many moments of exciting competition among the youth of Highland Central and Central region at Startup Runway 2019. The most 15 excellent ideas of the competition completely impressed the judges by their originality. Importantly, these ideas reflected strongly the spirit “Think big, dream big” of the youth. Startup Runway 2019 was attended by Mr. Alan Michael McGreevey – Secretary 2, Ambassador of Ireland in Vietnam, Dr. Helen McGuirk – Director of Hicks Center – Cork Institute of Technology (Ireland), Dr. Geogre Bulman – Operating director of Rubicon Center – Cork Institute of Technology, Dr. Vu Thi Bich Hau – Vice-director of Danang Department of Science and Technology, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Quang Son – Vice-director of the University of Danang. On behalf of universities that had teams participating in the competition, there were  Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Dung Hung – Vice-rector of the University of Quang Binh, Mr. Luong Minh Sam – Vice-rector of Dong A University; as for University of Economics, there were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Manh Toan – Rector, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vo Thi Thuy Anh – Vic-rector, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Dinh Khoi Nguyen – Vice-rector; as well as more than 1000 high school and university students of Danang City.

Brilliant dancing performance from DUE’s students to open the final

This year competition was also heating up thanks to the judges, namely Prof. George Gerard Kelly – Head of Department of Mechanical Biomedical and Manufacturing Engineering – Cork Institute of Technology (Ireland); Mr. Ha Duc Hung – Director of Ha Giang Phuoc Tuong Mechanical Corporation, Mr. Ly Dinh Quan – CEO of Songhan Incubator, Mr. Le Minh Phuc – CEO of VinaCapital Danang. The competition was co-organized by University of Economics – The University of Danang and Cork Institute of Technology (Ireland) and was sponsored by Irish Aid.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Quang Son presented representatives from Ireland with flowers

In the beginning of the competition, the atmosphere at Trung Vuong Theater was heat up by modern dancing performance from DUE’s students. The lively image of DUE’s youth was reflected through powerful and passionate dances. The performance was also a motivation for all the team.

The students expressed their talents

Each team had a 4-minute presentation to summarize the most unique features of their start-up project in many aspects. Specially, most of the teams used English to present about their ideas, reflecting the self-confidence and ability of integration of the youth.

Most of the ideas focused on solutions and practical models using smart devices, such as “Online application that helps to improve users’ mentality” of BOM team. “Application to try clothes and accessories online” of RnR and STYLE MONDER team. “Application to follow pregnant women’s heath condition” of DOLLARS team. Moreover, some ideas focused on combining tourism with environment reservation, contributing to the development of green tourism such as BAMer team (Project of tours to explore the countryside), I love Quang Binh Team (Project of combining tourism and traditional education), Ugo Team (transportation service using technological motorbike and local tourism)…

In addition, the trend of this year ideas was cuisine experience and improve the sources of food such as “Project of visiting and experiencing Indochine cuisine and culture” of Indochine Cuisine team, “Environment-friendly agricultural products” of MICWAY team and “Recycling left-over food to pet food” of MONSTERS team. The teams were all towards the purpose of satisfying the actual demand of consumers, reflecting the goals and willingness to enhance the products’ value chain.

The projects had significant features in content as well as practical application. Each idea was the passion and expectation to introduce about the specialties of local tourism and cuisine.

After the presentations, Board of Judges showed their impression of the originality and creativeness of business projects. According to their practical experience, the experts gave helpful recommendations to help the youth developing their projects in the future. They also emphasized that the path of entrepreneurship would involve many difficulties, thus the youth had to preserve their start-up spirit and gain more experience. So as to become successful, the projects need long-term preparation of financial and human resources as well as suitable marketing strategy so that they can launch distinguished products to the market.

Answering challenging questions from Board of judges

The performance of Nam Cuong and Quang Hao singer also brought about exciting moment for the audiences. The two singers also wished all the best to the teams at Startup Runway 2019 final round.

The performance of Quang Hao singer

and Nam Cuong singer

Contribute to the ideas

After 4 hours of competing, the final round of Startup Runway appraised the most deserved and excellent teams. Considered as the most breakthrough idea and was highly appreciated by Board of judges for its practical application, project “Website and application for wedding planning business” of The 41 Wedding team excellently received the Champion of Startup Runway 2019. They also gained a reward of 10,000,000VND and a start-up training course at Rubicon Center – Cork Institute of Technology (Ireland). The runner-up went to Double E team with project “Technology to observe environment condition and air quality”. They received a reward of 5,000,000VND and a scholarship to Ireland. The Third Prize with a reward of 3,000,000VND was given to MICWAY team with project of environment-friendly agricultural products.

The Third Prize was given to MICWAY

The Runner-up went to Double E

The Championship of Startup Runway 2019 called the name of The 41 Wedding with the idea “Website and application for wedding planning business”]

These are the most talented faces, representing the start-up spirit of the youth of Highland Central and Central region. Starting from Startup Runway 2019, these students will continue to improve their start-up knowledge and skills so that they can create more ideas and solutions for the community. Moreover, the scholarships to Ireland are a valuable opportunity for them to inspire foreign friends of Vietnamese youth’s start-up spirit.

Startup Runway 2019 came to an end with unforgetful remarks of start-up spirit of the youth of Highland Central and Central region

Being held 4^th times, Startup Runway still maintains as a helpful and competitive environment for students throughout Central Highland and Central region. The experience acquired from this competition will promote the start-up spirit of the youth during their studying. In addition, students also have chances to compete with each other and get ready for their career development in the future; then continue to advance their business plans to new extents.