Startup Incubation

Over the past several years, I have actively contributed to Vietnam’s startup ecosystem as a mentor, innovation catalyst, and strategic advisor. My focus lies in guiding early-stage teams through ideation, validation, and fundraising—particularly within sustainability, agri-tech, and deep-tech domains. By collaborating with university incubators and national startup programs such as the GBA Business Challenge, Vietnam Startup Wheel, Danang Startup Runway, APEC Innovation, Climate launchpad Vietnam etc., I have helped early stage and student-led ventures transform innovative ideas into fundable, scalable solutions with real-world impact.

With a hands-on approach combining business strategy, product-market fit coaching, and pitch readiness, I have mentored multiple award-winning startups, enabling them to secure over 900 million VND in non-equity funding since 2020. Below are selected highlights of my involvement:

Startup Mentor &  Innovation Mentor 

GBA Business Challenge

Dec 2020 - Present

Guided entrepreneurial teams in the GBA Business Challenge, achieving significant funding and recognition for innovative ideas. 

• 2024: Mentored a team developing Superfood Copepods Natural Food, a sustainable feed solution for shrimp and fish larvae, winning the Vietnam Champion Award and securing 50 million VND for implementation. 

  • https://vietcetera.com/en/start-up-competition-gba-business-challenge-meet-the-season-4-champion 

  • https://baodanang.vn/english/business/202409/champion-of-gba-young-innovation-award-2024-3985647/ 

  • https://bio-env.ued.udn.vn/hoat-dong-sinh-vien/sinh-vien-khoa-sinh-moi-truong-dat-quan-quan-giai-thuong-sang-tao-tre-gba-2024/

  • https://www.udn.vn/bancthssv/bai-viet/quan-quan-giai-thuong-sang-tao-tre-gba-2024-cua-hiep-hoi-doanh-nghiep-duc-xuong-danh-sinh-vien-dai-hoc-da-nang 

  • https://english.thesaigontimes.vn/gba-honors-top-businesses-in-vietnam/ 

• 2023: Mentored a team developing an IoT-based smart farming concept, aiding in securing 90 million VND for their go-to-market strategy.

  • https://vku.udn.vn/vi/vku-sinh-vien-nganh-ky-thuat-may-tinh-va-dien-tu-dat-giai-a-quan-cuoc-thi-gba-business-challenge-2023-team-agrowise/

  • https://gba-vietnam.org/gba-business-challenge-unveiling-the-champion-of-season-4/

• 2022: Supported a team focused on sustainable bricks using zeolite, helping them raise 120 million VND for project implementation.

  • https://baoquangnam.vn/sinh-vien-dai-hoc-da-nang-doat-quan-quan-cuoc-thi-tim-kiem-y-tuong-kinh-doanh-3054873.html

  • https://baodanang.vn/english/education-science/202301/da-nang-students-win-first-prize-in-competition-for-business-ideas-3934351/

  • https://gba-vietnam.org/wp-content/uploads/Business-Challenge_Flyer.png

  • https://gba-vietnam.org/gba-business-challenge-2023-season-iv-is-now-open-for-application/ 

• 2021: Led a team to win the GBA Champion Award, earning 240 million VND to incubate a startup that transformed seafood waste into fertilizer.

  • https://gba-vietnam.org/the-champion-of-the-2021-gba-business-challenge/#:~:text=The%20Champion%20of%20the%202021,Congratulations%20to%20the%20SHRIMPP%20team! 

  • https://udn.vn/english/Detail/students-of-the-university-of-danang-was-the-champion-of-the-gba-business-challenge-2021-contest-co-organized-by-gba-and-daad 

• 2020: Mentored another GBA Champion Award-winning team, receiving 160 million VND for a biomass startup leveraging microalgae.

  • https://gba-vietnam.org/the-gba-business-challenge-successfully-kicked-off-in-2020/

  • https://udn.vn/english/Detail/students-of-university-of-science-and-technology-the-university-of-danang-won-1st-prize-in-the-business-challenge-competition-jointly-organized-by-gba-and-daad