What do the top two projects of the IU Start-up Demo Day 2024 competition have?

From left to right: Dinh Vu Duc Dat, Bui Tri Dung and Nguyen Phuong Thao (International University), Chau Duong Huyen Tran (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City National University) and Pham Nguyen Yen Nhi (Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics, Vinh Long branch) - Photo: CT

8 projects competed in the final round of the IU Start-up Demo Day 2024 startup competition organized by International University (Ho Chi Minh City National University) on May 25.

Students from many schools start-up together

In the end, the first prize went to the project "E-Motion - converting a regular wheelchair into an electric wheelchair" by a group of students from 3 universities. Among them, Bui Tri Dung, Dinh Vu Duc Dat and Nguyen Phuong Thao are from the International University (Ho Chi Minh City National University).

The remaining two students are Pham Nguyen Yen Nhi (Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics, Vinh Long branch) and Chau Duong Huyen Tran (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City National University).

Integrating battery system and electric motor onto the frame, E-Motion focuses on improving wheelchair lines on the market into electric wheelchairs.

After the upgrade, the car goes faster, goes further and can carry a maximum of 150kg, while also integrating a suspension system to keep balance.

Tri Dung said the product helps increase independence and autonomy for people with disabilities, allowing them to move freely and can be used in many environments, even in places with obstacles. In particular, the price is more reasonable compared to other electric wheelchair models currently on the market.

Meanwhile, the second prize of the competition was the project "The Plantae - an application that identifies and provides detailed information, especially on medicinal properties and plant health" with the combination of a group of students from the International University and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City.

This app uses AI to identify plants. Just take a photo of a plant with your phone camera, and the app will compare the photo with a database of up to 33,300 available plants. If a match is found, the app will immediately display the common name, scientific name, general description, scientific classification, geographical distribution, toxicity, health assessment, and appropriate care methods.

The Plantae focuses on the medicinal properties of plants, optimized for the Vietnamese market.

The Plantae application won second prize in its first start-up competition - Photo: CT

Don't stop at the competition

Associate Professor, Dr. Dinh Duc Anh Vu - Vice President of International University (Ho Chi Minh City National University) - informed about the projects in the final round revolving around the fields of food, manufacturing technology, healthcare, Internet of Things (IoT)...

These are all projects with many positive social values, aiming to build a sustainable community. Notably, most of this year's entries already had basic products when they participated in the preliminary selection round.

The student group that carried out the project "The Plantae - an application that identifies and provides detailed information, especially on medicinal properties and plant health" received second prize - Photo: CT

According to Mr. Vu, the organizing committee has had four skill training sessions for contestants on business modeling, financial planning, marketing strategy and presentation skills.

Along with that, there are also orientation sessions, business visits, market research activities and product sample making.

"The school has connected more than 30 lecturers, successful startup founders, experts in many fields, project consultants, trainers and judges for the competition," said Mr. Vu.

This year, 22 projects of students from 8 faculties and departments of the International University combined with students from 6 other universities in Ho Chi Minh City to compete.

At the final, each project has 5 minutes to present to the jury and 10 minutes to answer questions.

Project evaluation criteria include necessity, distinctiveness, business plan, financial plan, social impact, presentation and argumentation skills.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hai-du-an-dung-dau-cuoc-thi-iu-start-up-demo-day-2024-co-gi-20240525170829737.htm