VIETNAM SWISS INNOVATION CHALLENGE 2025
INNOVATING FOR IMPACTS: SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR AN INCLUSIVE ASIA
About the competition
The Swiss Innovation Challenge (SIC) is a prestige programme with an integrated competition for the support and advancement of innovation in Switzerland and the ASEAN countries. The support offered, comprises specific training and personal coaching and access to the Swiss Innovation Challenge Network in ASEAN and Switzerland. The Challenge addresses individuals who wish to introduce and implement an innovation or who have undertaken an innovative step with-in the last few years. This could be a new business idea, product innovation, service innovation, organisational innovation, management innovation or business model innovation.
Owned by University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), the SIC has been expanded to Vietnam. This year, it is organized by the Faculty of Commerce, Van Lang University. The competition consists of three stages, each followed by a selection round (pitch). The winning team will represent for the country to join the final pitch in Switzerland from 18th to 20th November 2025, where they can explore the entrepreneurship and start-up ecosystem. The organizing committee will sponsor the winning team the trip in Switzerland.
FINAL ROUND - REALIZATION: 20/09/2025
Free Ticket to Attend
A REMARKABLE JOURNEY WITH
2014
First launched in Switzerland
5
Countries over the world
850+
Innovation projects supported
Winning the competition is a big deal and a great indicator for future growth
TOP 20 TEAMS
Ad Astra
BAY
BKTENG
BlueTrap
FEMAlign
Kudos Shinichi
LNT
Nhiên
NOVABRIC
OAT Global
SUN
Sustainovate
The Magician
The Powerbuffs
Trashionistas
Tung Tung Tung
VINOVA
WE DO
WOLAD
Y-Not Trio
AWARD STRUCTURE
01 CHAMPION
A trip to Switzerland
(worth up to VND 150,000,000*)
01 Runner Up
VND 4,000,000
01 THIRD PRIZE
VND 2,000,000
05 CONSOLIDATION
VND 1,000,000/prize
THE TIMELINE
Three stages of the competition IN VIETNAM
Round 1. Idea Generation
Form a group of 3 and the team leader submit:
Team Members' List;
Commitment Form;
A business project proposal (2–4 pages, A4 size);
A video clip (2–4 minutes) introducing their team and business idea.
Round 2. Idea Innovation
Top 20 from Round 1 will be required to:
• Develop a more detailed business project (15–30 pages, A4 size);
• Present a 5-minute summary of the project, followed by a 5-minute Q&A session with the judging panel.
Round 3. Realization
The top 8 teams from Round 2 will present their business ideas in a 7-minute presentation, followed by a 7-minute Q&A session with the judging panel.
INTERNATIONAL FINAL PITCH
To be held in Switzerland from November 18 to 20, 2025.
The winner team from the Round 3 in Vietnam will get a trip to Switzerland, from 18-20th November 2025, sponsored by organizing committee to attend the international final pitch. The final pitch symbolises the closing stage of the competition, whereby the winner teams from all member countries present their business ideas before thousands of audiences, authorities and investors.
HOW TO APPLY
Students currently enrolled in colleages and universities in Ho Chi Minh City.
You must apply as a team of 3 members.
Documentation, materials, videos and presentation must be in English language.
To learn more about the Terms and Conditions and Templates, please visit this link.
FIELD OF FOCUS
Fashion
Architecture and Construction
Environment
Aviation
Healthcare
Digital Business
Entertainment and Leisure
Information and Communication Technology
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Each team may consist of up to three (03) members. Team members may come from different universities or colleges across Ho Chi Minh City.
Teams with only one or two members will be randomly paired by the Organizing Committee (OC). The deadline for team matching by the OC is July 15, 2025. After this date, only teams of three (03) members are accepted.
(*): The three members of the Winner Team will receive sponsorship for round-trip airfare and accommodation to attend the International Final Round in Switzerland from November 18 to 20, 2025, with a maximum value of 50,000,000 VND per member.
The Organizing Committee reserves the right to reject any application that does not comply with the requirements.
The team must consist of the full number of members (three).
Submission must follow the correct format and requirements set by the OC.
One team representative must submit the application via the website https://sicvn.info/ (click “Apply Now”) or through the designated submission form.
The deadline to submit the Business Proposal and Video Introduction for Round 1 is 05:00 PM, July 31, 2025. Teams that have been matched by the OC must collaborate and ensure that a representative submits all required materials by this deadline.
All competition materials and presentations across the three rounds and the Final Pitch in Switzerland must be conducted in English.
The project must not have previously won First, Second, or Third Prize in any entrepreneurship, innovation, or similar competitions at the university level or higher.
The project must not be subject to copyright disputes.
Team member changes are not permitted once the competition begins.
Participants must comply with all rules and regulations set by Van Lang University and the Organizing Committee.
MAIN ORGANIZERS
VIETNAM ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Dr. Ngo Quang Trung
Vice President of Van Lang University
Head of Faculty of Commerce
President of Vietnam SIC
Dr. Hoang Chi Cuong
Head of International Business Department Faculty of Commerce
Head of Vietnam SIC
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Vuong
Deputy Head of Vietnam SIC
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Golden Sponsors
Companion Enterprises
In-kind Sponsors
Media Partners
WHAT DO COMMUNITIES SAY ABOUT US?
"Well-organised"
"Strong pitches"
"Strong jury"
Matthias Vanoni WearableID
"Enriching"
"Motivating"
"Engaging"
Anton Dermalas SIC-Jurry-Mitglied
"Great seminars"
"High-profile speakers"
"Cool platform"
Markus Holdener Amart AG
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
SWISS INNOVATION CHALLENGE ASIA
FAQs
Why is Vietnam Swiss Innovation Challenge?
The Vietnam Swiss Innovation Challenge exists to empower university students to transform their innovative ideas into impactful business solutions. With a top prize of a trip to Switzerland, worth up to VND 150,000,000, the competition motivates students to go beyond theory and become real-world problem solvers. Whether it’s tackling environmental issues, designing socially conscious products, or developing smart technologies, this challenge is a launchpad for future leaders to shape sustainable and forward-thinking strategies that help businesses grow responsibly in an ever-changing world.
If my application is accepted, what I need to do in the next round?
All applicants will be reviewed and may be selected for the next round. The next round's schedule will be informed directly to the representative via email.
Can I team up with students from other universities?
Yes, team members may come from different universities or colleges within Ho Chi Minh City.
For example: Team SIC 1 may include one student from Foreign Trade University, one from Van Lang University, and one from University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City.
Contact us
Faculty of Commerce
Van Lang University
Address: 69/68, Dang Thuy Tram Street, Ward 13, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
Hotline: 058 634 7673
Email: vietnamsic@vlu.edu.vn
© COPYRIGHT 2025 VIETNAM SWISS INNOVATION CHALLENGE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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