Interested in green startup projects that benefit the community

(NLDO) - The 20 projects competing in the semi-finals of the "Startup and Innovation" competition in 2025 all aim at green living, health care and technology application.

On the morning of August 16, the semi-final round of the "Startup and Innovation" competition in 2025 organized by Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture, Ho Chi Minh City University of Law and Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture organized the event at the University of Architecture.

From about 100 teams of university and college students in Ho Chi Minh City, the organizing committee selected 20 excellent teams to enter the semi-finals. The common points of these projects are all aimed at green living habits, health care and technology application.

The winning projects will receive funding support for incubating innovation and startup projects from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology with a value of 40 million VND.

Passion for green startups

Introducing the project "Green Innovation" - producing biological food containers, Nguyen Nhu Y, majoring in business administration - Van Lang University, said that all members of the group are "amateurs", but still want to try their hand in the field of environmental protection.

The group's bio-food containers are made from banana tree trunks. Every process from A to Z is 100% handmade. The product can be preserved for up to 5 months and decomposes naturally within 3-5 days after use. In the case of storing food without grease, the box can be reused after drying.

Nguyen Nhu Y (right cover) hopes to receive support from businesses so that the project has more opportunities to commercialize products.

Biological food containers made from banana tree trunks researched by a group of students from Van Lang University

When asked about the somewhat different direction compared to the trend of technology 4.0 and AI, Nhu Y said that this is not a challenge, on the contrary, it helps protect health and directs people towards green living habits.

"Although this is a handmade product, when mass-produced and commercialized, our team will apply AI technology and machinery to optimize operating costs," said Ý.

Tran Bieu, leader of B-ECO 1 group, said he used sea almond leaves (from the old Phu Yen province, now Dak Lak) to make environmentally friendly dishes.

The product is made from 100% natural ingredients, no chemicals, no artificial colors, completely biodegradable within 60 days and can be reused more than 10 times.

"To ensure the hardness and durability of the product, the team applied hydraulic pressing technology. With this technology, each disc takes less than a minute to complete," said the team leader.

A group of students from Van Hien University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Nguyen Tat Thanh University impressed with their plates made from sea almond leaves.

After shaping the plate, the team used a laser engraving machine to create additional patterns and designs for the product.

The Real Value of Entrepreneurship

At the competition, many students said they learned many interesting things. Nguyen Bach Diep, majoring in international commercial law at Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, said this was his first time participating in the competition. With a startup project from a banana tree, Diep applied his knowledge of civil law and intellectual property law to provide legal support for the project.

"At school, teachers not only teach me laws but also train me in legal thinking. Therefore, when faced with a specific situation, I use that thinking to find the most legal and beneficial solution. In addition, I also gain experience in teamwork, knowledge in the fields of environmental protection, business, marketing, etc.," Diep shared.

Bich Diep (second from left) introduces sandals and gloves made from banana stems.

A group of students from the Ho Chi Minh City Academy of Civil Servants participated in the competition with the project "Little Sun Social Work Center" for autistic children who have difficulty communicating.

Tam Lac Center project on health and mental care services for the elderly by a group of students from Ho Chi Minh City University of Law

A group of students from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education attentively listen to comments from experts.

In the semi-finals, each team will have a maximum of 8 minutes to present their project to the judges, including: 3 minutes of video and 5 minutes of presentation. This will be followed by a Q&A session between the team and the judges for a maximum of 10 minutes.

The jury scores each team based on 6 criteria: Creativity, organizational capacity, economic/social impact, potential market, technology application and business model.

Associate Professor - Dr. - Architect Le Van Thuong, Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture, said that the competition is a useful academic playground, where start-up projects are shaped and the spirit of innovation is strongly spread in the student community; especially in areas that have a profound impact on urban life and social culture such as architecture, planning, construction, law, culture, etc.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thich-thu-voi-nhung-du-an-khoi-nghiep-xanh-co-ich-cho-cong-dong-196250816123646403.htm