With the goal of promoting the spirit of innovation, scientific research, and entrepreneurship among students, the Vietnam–Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU), The University of Danang (UD) successfully organized the Final Round of the 6th Program Incubation of Start-ups and Innovative Ideas in 2026 (Program incubation of Start-ups and Innovative Ideas – PISI 2026). Following the success of previous seasons, the program continues to affirm its position as a prestigious academic playground, where students foster creative thinking and apply technology to solve practical problems, aiming to create valuable products for the community and enterprises.

Overview of the final round

Attending the PISI 2026 final round, on the guests’ side, there were Mr Vo Duc Anh – Deputy Director of Da Nang Center for Innovation and Startup Support, Mr Nguyen Van Chuong – Vice Chairman of Da Nang Young Entrepreneurs Association, Manager of the Swiss Entrepreneurship Program in Da Nang, and Dr. Vu Xuan Truong – Creative Director of Enouvo Company. On the side of VKU, there were Dr. Tran The Son – Vice Rector of the University, Leaders of Departments and specialized Faculties under the University, along with project members and a large number of attending students.

Dr. Tran The Son – Vice Rector of VKU delivering his speech

Speaking at the PISI 2026 Finals, Dr. Tran The Son – Vice Rector of VKU congratulated the excellent projects and products, acknowledged the serious investment of the competing teams, and highly appreciated the professional quality of this year’s season. Many projects did not just stop at ideas but developed into products with practical application capabilities, clearly demonstrating the innovative thinking, research capacity, and entrepreneurial spirit of VKU students in the context of digital transformation and digital economic development. VKU will continue to create a favorable environment, connecting experts, enterprises, and supporting resources so that potential ideas can continue to be perfected, developing into products and startup enterprises in the future.

Excellent projects presented at the exhibition session

PISI 2026 attracted 46 participating ideas and projects across various key technology fields. Among them, solutions applying AI and Agentic AI continued to dominate, accounting for approximately 33% of the total number of projects, alongside highly potential fields such as HealthTech, Cybersecurity, Smart Mobility, IoT, Robotics, FinTech, EdTech, and PetTech. After the preliminary round, the Board of Examiners selected 35 projects for the presentation round, 10 excellent projects to participate in the product exhibition, and 06 competing teams with the most potential products to enter the official Top 6 to present and defend their projects before the Board of Examiners.

Not only diverse in fields, this year’s projects were also highly appreciated for their creativity, applicability, and commercialization potential. Many teams successfully built product prototypes, integrating modern technologies such as AI, IoT, Machine Learning, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, and embedded systems; while initially finalizing their business models, demonstrating a structured entrepreneurial mindset right from the university lecture halls.

At the finals, the competing teams presented their ideas, business models, and prototype products, while directly answering defense questions from the Board of Examiners, which consisted of experienced experts, entrepreneurs, and lecturers in the fields of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Many projects demonstrated a modern approach by effectively exploiting new technologies such as Agentic AI, Multi-Agent AI, AIoT, computer vision, and big data to solve practical problems in education, healthcare, environment, agriculture, and human resource development.

The projects were evaluated not only for their creativity but also for their commercialization capability, operating models, technical feasibility, and social value. Many teams showed serious preparation, professional presentation, defense, and teamwork skills, reflecting the process of being accompanied and mentored by the faculty and experts throughout the competition.

First prize and second prize awarded to the EduMate project group and the EVIRA project

As a result of the final round, the Organizing Committee awarded 01 First Prize to the EduMate Project – A Multi-Agent applied educational platform with members Nguyen Duc Trien (23AI), Nguyen Anh Kim Ngan (231Te2), Duong Thanh Tri (23AI), Trinh Thi Hong Anh (23BA); 01 Second Prize to the EVIRA Project – An artificial intelligence-driven e-commerce video analysis platform with members Truong Cong Hoang Thanh (22KIT), Ho Dinh Tuan Kiet (22Ite), Huynh Thi Phuoc (22JIT), Truong Huynh My Tam (22KIT), Nguyen Bao Gia Han (22IM), and 02 Third Prizes, 06 Consolation Prizes for excellent projects. This is not only a well-deserved recognition for the research and creative efforts of the competing teams but also a driving force for the groups to continue perfecting their products, connecting with enterprises and investors, and participating in startup and innovation arenas on a larger scale.

PISI 2026 is not only a place to honor typical innovative ideas but also opens up opportunities for projects to continue developing and connecting with the broader startup ecosystem. Accordingly, the most outstanding products and projects from PISI 2026 will be selected to participate in APISI 2026 – Incubation of innovative startup ideas among the ACIR and international student community, one of the prominent activities of the Da Nang Business, Finance and Technology Week 2026 (DBFTW 2026), taking place from July 7 to 12, 2026, in Da Nang City. In particular, the Vietnam–Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU), The University of Danang (UD) will be the host institution for APISI 2026, continuing to affirm its pioneering role in promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and international cooperation connections.

Center for Learning Resource and Communication

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