Student Startup with Vietnamese Business Founders Competition

The Student Startup with Vietnamese Business Founders competition is organized by LQT Bachelor of Business Program and Western Sydney Vietnam. By participating in the competition, students will have the opportunity to ignite and nurture their entrepreneurial potential under the guidance of leading business founders in Vietnam.

About the LQT Bachelor of Business Program

Launched in 2023, the LQT Bachelor of Business Program is a collaboration between the LQT Contemporary Entrepreneurs Institute, ISB Institute (University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City), and Western Sydney University (Australia). This program is tailored for individuals passionate about business, who aspire to become entrepreneurs or develop family businesses.

The program is accompanied by Dr. Lý Quí Trung, a well-known entrepreneur famous for founding the Pho 24 restaurant chain and the author of 10 books on business management, branding, and chain development. He was voted one of the 50 most influential people in Vietnam by VnExpress readers due to his groundbreaking contributions to the business field. Additionally, the program gathers top business experts to offer students practical insights and valuable experiences in today’s competitive business environment.

Know more about LQT Bachelor of Business Program

About Student Startup with Vietnamese Business Founders Competition

The competition aims to foster entrepreneurial spirit and help students explore their potential and bring creative ideas to life. Through exclusive courses taught by leading entrepreneurs, participants will be equipped with in-depth knowledge—from building a startup idea to developing a viable and promising business plan.

Moreover, students will develop essential skills such as public speaking, strategic thinking, risk management, and leadership—key tools to help young people confidently navigate the challenges and opportunities of the competitive business world.

This is not only a chance to network and learn from industry experts but also a foundation to promote entrepreneurship among Vietnamese youth. Through the competition, students will gain clearer career direction and learn how to systematically implement business ideas early on.

Eligibility and Participation Format

Cuộc thi Học Sinh Khởi Nghiệp Cùng Nhà Sáng Lập Doanh Nghiệp Việt là cơ hội đặc biệt dành cho các bạn học sinh đam mê kinh doanh và khởi nghiệp. Điểm nhấn nổi bật của cuộc thi chính là các khóa đào tạo trực tuyến ngắn hạn, được thiết kế và giảng dạy bởi những doanh nhân đầu ngành. Đồng thời, thí sinh cần sẵn sàng tham gia đầy đủ các vòng thi và hoàn thành các bài thi theo đúng yêu cầu của Ban Tổ Chức. 

• Target Participants: Students in grades 10, 11, and 12 currently studying and living in Ho Chi Minh City and other Southeast provinces of Vietnam.
• Participation Format: Individual registration only.
• Competition Locations: Rounds 1 and 2: Online, Final Round (Round 3): In-person in Ho Chi Minh City

Competition Structure

Round 1 – Business Idea

After registration, students will complete LQT Mini-Course 1 and an associated quiz.

Part 1: 6 instructional videos covering:

• Legitimate reasons to start a business
• What makes a good business idea?
• Difference between USP (Unique Selling Point) & UVP (Unique Value Proposition)
• Feasibility of a business idea
• Barriers to market entry
• 3-minute and 30-second pitch skills

Part 2: Inspirational videos by top Vietnamese entrepreneurs.

Round 1 Submission:

• 01 video (max 3 minutes) pitching the business idea (self-produced by the participant)
• 01 short video (30 seconds, 9:16 format) summarizing the idea

Note: Selected clips may be posted on TikTok by the organizers.

Round 2 – Business Plan

The Top 40 participants from Round 1, selected by a panel of entrepreneurs and experts, will advance to Round 2.

Round 2 Training Topics (LQT Mini-Course 2):

• Role & value of a business plan (Dr. Lý Quí Trung, Founder of Pho 24)
• Target customers & SWOT matrix (Ms. Trần Tuệ Tri, former VP at Unilever)
• Marketing & sales (Mr. Nguyễn Trần Quang, Marketing expert)
• Capital raising (Ms. Tôn Nữ Xuân Quyên, Founder of Blusaigon)
• Management & operations (Mr. Nguyễn Kiên Trì, Business coach)
• Financial projections (Mr. Lâm Minh Chánh, BizUni director)
• Public speaking skills (Ms. Lê Uyên Thảo, Sales Director at YEST ERA)

Round 2 Submission:

A Business Plan (max 10 A4 pages) including at least the following:

• Executive summary
• Company vision
• SWOT analysis
• Target customers
• Management & operations plan
• Products or services
• Sales & marketing plan
• Financial projections
• Capital raising strategy

Round 3 – Final Round

The Top 10 students with the best business plans will compete in the Final Round, held in-person in Ho Chi Minh City.

Presentation Format:

• Present the business plan to the jury (max 10 minutes)
• May use PowerPoint, videos, or other creative formats to support the presentation

Competition Tracks

Participants can choose one of the following three categories:

• Technology
• Services
• Manufacturing

Note: Ideas can be commercial or non-profit.

Participation Process

Registration

Opening Date: February 7, 2025

How to Register: Fill out the online form with complete and accurate personal information at LINK

Round 1 Timeline

Duration: February 7 – March 20, 2025

Check your email for instructions on accessing LQT Mini-Course 1

After completing the course, submit:

• 01 business idea pitch video (max 3 mins)
• 01 short video (30 seconds, 9:16 format)

Round 1 Results

Top 40 selected for Round 2

Announcement Date: March 22, 2025

Results posted on the LQT Bachelor of Business program website, Western Sydney Vietnam’s official fanpage, and sent via email.

Round 2 Timeline

Duration: March 23 – April 4, 2025

Participants complete LQT Mini-Course 2

Submit the Business Plan (max 10 A4 pages), including:

• Executive summary
• Company vision
• SWOT analysis
• Target customers
• Management & operations plan
• Products or services
• Sales & marketing plan
• Financial projections
• Capital raising strategy

Round 2 Results

Announcement Date: April 6, 2025

Top 10 finalists selected for Round 3

Results posted on the LQT Bachelor of Business program website, Western Sydney Vietnam’s official fanpage, and sent via email.

Final Round

• Finalists will present their Business Plans in person before the Jury. Participants may use supporting tools such as PowerPoint, video, or other creative formats.
• Event Date: April 12, 2025 (Detailed schedule will be updated soon by the Organizing Committee)
• Venue: C.space, 12-13 N1 Street, Tan Thuan Dong Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City

Prize Structure

01 First Prize – Outstanding Startup Star

• 100% scholarship for the 3-year LQT Bachelor of Business program
• 20,000,000 VND in cash
• Champion trophy
• Certificate of achievement

01 Second Prize – Pioneering Startup Star

• 100% scholarship for the 3-year LQT Bachelor of Business program
• 10,000,000 VND in cash
• Runner-up trophy
• Certificate of achievement

01 Third Prize – Promising Startup Star

• 100% scholarship for the LQT Bachelor of Business program
• 5,000,000 VND in cash
• Third-place trophy
• Certificate of achievement

02 Popular Idea Awards

• 3,000,000 VND in cash
• Commemorative plaque
• Certificate of recognition

* The total value of a full scholarship for the LQT Bachelor of Business program is up to 400 million VND.

Judging Panel

View the full list of jury members on the competition’s landing page

Important Dates to Remember

Contestants must fully participate in all LQT Mini-Courses and submit deliverables on time for each round. Deadlines will be announced via the registered email. Late submissions will not be accepted without valid reasons.

Timeline Overview:

• Registration opens: February 7, 2025
• Round 1 submission deadline: February 7 – March 20, 2025
• Round 1 results announcement: March 22, 2025
• Round 2 submission deadline: March 23 – April 4, 2025
• Round 2 results announcement: April 6, 2025
• Final Round (Round 3): April 12, 2025

Contact Information

Stay updated on the competition via these platforms:

– Landing page cuộc thi

– Facebook Western Sydney Việt Nam

– Website WSU-LQT BBUS

For inquiries, please contact the Organizing Committee at:

– Email: lqtbbus@westernsydney.edu.vn