KUV Students’ Startup Journey Reaches the Peak of Creativity
On October 20, the campus of Keiser University, Vietnam (KUV) was filled with energy and inspiration as the final round of the KUV NextGen Startup Challenge 2025, themed “Where Ideas Take Flight,” officially took place.
This marked the final chapter of a passionate entrepreneurial journey, where bold ideas, persuasive presentation skills, and the fearless spirit of KUV students were fully showcased before the judges and the audience.
Startup Ideas—Where Young Minds Take Off
After multiple rounds of challenges—from Validate to Innovate, Storytelling for Impact to Pitching Bootcamp—the teams continuously refined their ideas and strengthened their entrepreneurial skills.
At the Final Pitch, each team presented a project that reflected their personal vision and aspiration to contribute to society.
This year’s startup ideas covered diverse fields such as green technology, sustainable development, community service, and creative education—a testament to the multidimensional thinking and forward-looking mindset of KUV students.
Top 3 Winning Teams of KUV NextGen Startup Challenge 2025
After a series of impressive and persuasive presentations, the judges announced the top three winning teams of the 2025 season.
First Prize – EverRise with “AIVECHAI”
A creative solution in the field of recycling and environmental protection, AiVeChai introduced a smart waste collection and classification model that integrates technology and community awareness to build a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Vietnam.
(Video of EverRise competition)
Second Prize – The House of Myanmar with “Food Waste”
This project focused on minimizing food waste while promoting a humanistic message of sharing and social responsibility. The idea was highly appreciated for its practical application and scalability.
(Video of The House of Myanmar competition)
Third Prize – Academic Hostage with “Campusconnect Café”
A creative café model designed to connect students on campus — a space for learning, interaction, and soft-skill development. The project stood out for its teamwork and impressive presentation skills.
(Video of Academic Hostage competition)
The Judging Panel—Inspiring Mentors
This year’s competition was honored to welcome a distinguished panel of judges with extensive experience in education, entrepreneurship, and international business:
- Mr. James Young – Founder, Sparren Consulting; Business Lecturer, KUV
- Ms. Phoenix Cao – Corporate Trainer, Business Lecturer, KUV
- Ms. Mandy Nguyen – Operation Director, SVF (Saigon Innovation Hub)
- Ms. Ngan Nguyen – Founder, English House
Their insights and mentorship provided students with a practical understanding of the entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing that an idea only truly takes flight when nurtured with knowledge, discipline, and belief.
Startup Challenge—A Launchpad for Future Entrepreneurs
The KUV NextGen Startup Challenge is more than just a competition—it serves as a launchpad for KUV students to transform their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
Through this program, students can:
- Experience a structured startup development process;
- Strengthen presentation, critical thinking, and strategic planning skills;
- Receive direct mentorship from lecturers and industry experts;
- Expand their network within and beyond the startup community.
Every presentation and every moment on stage reflected the determination and passion to create positive change in the community—true to the spirit of “Where Ideas Take Flight.”
Conclusion
The KUV NextGen Startup Challenge 2025 has come to an end, but the journey of creativity and entrepreneurship among students of Keiser University, Vietnam continues to soar.
Congratulations to all participating teams, and heartfelt thanks to the judges, lecturers, and KUV students who made this year’s Startup Challenge inspiring and unforgettable.
Keiser University, Vietnam – US Degree, Locally Delivered, Globally Mobile. A place where every idea takes flight, and every student becomes a global citizen with limitless creativity.
