Start-up assistance

Lac Hong University (LHU) provides vital assistance to the local community, actively supporting the start-up of financially and socially sustainable businesses through relevant education, resources, and finance. By extending its robust entrepreneurial framework beyond the campus, LHU is nurturing a culture of innovation that drives local economic resilience and positive social impact.

I. Integrated support model: LHU's comprehensive ecosystem

LHU has established a comprehensive and well-structured ecosystem to foster entrepreneurship among bot students and the broader local community. This robust approach, which integrates incubation, curriculum, and practical support, demonstrates LHU's deep commitment to cultivating the next generation of business leaders and driving sustainable development.

A. Process for supporting local community startups

LHU extends its internal resources to the local community through a structured support process, ensuring financially and socially sustainable outcomes:

1. 1. Idea Submission: Community members initiate the process by submitting their entrepreneurial ideas via email to the university.

2. 2. Idea Development & Consultation: LHU supports the development of these new ideas by:

   • Collecting and analyzing submitted ideas.

   • Organizing free training workshops and consultation sessions.

   • Providing free access to modern university facilities and equipment.

3. 3. Capital and Knowledge Transfer: Facilitating knowledge transfer opportunities, including access to Intellectual Property (IP) assets.

   • 4. Assisting in mobilizing capital from seed/incubation funds.

   • 5. Providing specialized in-depth training to meet the specific needs of local businesses or community ventures.

B. Resource investment and training programs

LHU's commitment is reflected in its institutional setup and physical investment dedicated to innovation:

• Dedicated Centers & Clubs: The Entrepreneurship Club, established since 2016, provides an essential platform for networking. Investment in a dedicated Coworking Space since 2018 offers start-up founders a hub for collaboration. Furthermore, the Student Innovation Center (SIV) in Dong Nai (established August 2023) offers specialized services to confidently guide founders into the business world.

• Diverse Training Programs and Mentorship: LHU utilizes established training models (such as IPP, ACSE, CEFE, SIYB, MEP) to equip students with core knowledge and skills in management, finance, marketing, and risk management.

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C. Local start-up financial assistance

Lac Hong University (LHU) actively facilitates access to financial resources for local startups by connecting entrepreneurs with potential investors, strengthening fundraising capabilities, and developing regional investment networks. Through strategic partnerships with government agencies, business associations, and international organizations, LHU supports financially sustainable ventures and promotes entrepreneurship with positive social and economic impacts.

1. Startup Investment Pitching Programme – Dong Nai 2024

On August 28, 2024, LHU collaborated with the Dong Nai Young Entrepreneurs Association and the Department of Science and Technology to organize an investment pitching programme connecting six local startups with potential investors.

The programme successfully facilitated VND 1 billion in investment for a cordyceps cultivation project led by Ms. Tran Thi Tham, including VND 500 million for equipment and VND 500 million for production expansion. Additionally, the Van Huong herbal incense project received an investment commitment, demonstrating LHU's role in connecting local entrepreneurs with financial resources.

1. Key Achievements:

• 6 local startups participated in investment pitching.
• VND 1 billion secured for a local startup project.
• 2 investors contributed to the funded project.
• Additional investment commitment secured for a sustainable herbal incense venture.
• 2. Regional Startup Mentorship and Investment Ecosystem – 2025
• On November 18, 2025, LHU collaborated with the Dong Nai Department of Science and Technology, the Vietnam Startup Innovation Advisory Council (VSMA), and Business Forum Magazine to strengthen the regional startup support ecosystem.

• The initiative focused on training entrepreneurship trainers and specialized startup mentors, enhancing their capacity to guide emerging businesses in project development, investment preparation, and sustainable business growth.

  By strengthening mentorship networks and connecting local entrepreneurs with experienced advisors and institutional resources, LHU contributes to developing a more supportive environment for startup financing and long-term business sustainability.

Key Achievements:

• Strengthened collaboration among universities, government agencies, and startup advisory organizations.
• Supported the development of qualified entrepreneurship trainers and mentors.
• Enhanced access to startup advisory services and regional entrepreneurial resources.

3. International Investment Readiness and Fundraising – Singapore 2026

From July 12–15, 2026, LHU faculty members and students participated in an international entrepreneurship training and investment pitching programme in Singapore. The programme focused on startup strategy, business valuation, fundraising techniques, and international investor engagement.

A key highlight was the presentation of an AI-powered electronic Braille book project for visually impaired individuals to international investors. This initiative demonstrated LHU's commitment to supporting socially impactful technology ventures while expanding opportunities for international investment and sustainable entrepreneurship.

1. Key Achievements:

• 1 socially impactful technology project presented to international investors.
• International training in business valuation, startup strategy, and fundraising.
• Expanded exposure to international investment networks and opportunities.

II. Demonstrable Results and Strategic Collaboration

The university’s efforts have yielded measurable outcomes, showcasing LHU’s impact across the region:

• Project Creation: Over 100 startup projects have been created or supported, actively encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit among students and the broader community.

• Commercialization Success: Nearly 10 intellectual properties (IPs) have been successfully commercialized. This figure highlights LHU’s focus not just on the volume of startups, but on supporting the development of high-quality products and services with real commercial value.

• Strategic Partnerships: LHU strengthens its ecosystem through strategic collaborations with organizations like the Vietnam Startup Innovation Advisory Council (VSMA), the Southern Startup Advisory and Support Council, and the National Startup Program, ensuring access to expertise for both students and community participants.

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  III. Recognition and Competitive Achievements

Lac Hong University's entrepreneurial ecosystem has gained sustained recognition through national awards, innovative startup projects, and institutional achievements.

1. Ministerial and Institutional Recognition

• 2023: LHU received a Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Education and Training for its contributions to the national student entrepreneurship support initiative.

• 2025: LHU and Dr. Nguyen Van Tan received Certificates of Merit from the Ministry of Education and Training for outstanding contributions to student entrepreneurship during 2017–2025.

• 2026: LHU was recognised among the Top 25 educational institutions with exemplary entrepreneurship activities. Dr. Nguyen Van Tan was named among the Top 30 outstanding educators, while student Vu Luong Hoai Linh was recognised among the Top 17 student entrepreneurs nationwide.

2. National Startup Competition Achievements

• 2006: First Prize – National Startup Competition.

• 2017: Second Prize – National Startup Competition organised by VCCI.

• 2022: Second Prize – National Student Startup Competition (SV.STARTUP).

• 2023: Third Prize and Consolation Prize – SV.STARTUP.

• 2024: Consolation Prize – SV.STARTUP, Rambutan Fairy project.

• 2025: Consolation Prize – SV.STARTUP VII, Production and Commercialisation of Hymenopellis radicata, selected among 125 finalists from 775 nationwide submissions.

• 2026: Second Prize – SV.STARTUP VIII, CASHEW ESSENCE – Plant-Based Food from Cashew Nuts, an interdisciplinary student-led startup.

3. Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship Excellence

• 2026: First Prize – APEC Innovation 2025–2026, awarded to LHU's AI-powered e-book project for visually impaired people, selected from a competition involving 468 startup ideas submitted by students from 84 higher education institutions.

SOURCES:

Báo Đồng Nai. (2025, April 14). Trường đại học Lạc Hồng tiếp tục có dự án vào chung kết SV Startup [Lac Hong University continues to have projects in the SV Startup final]. Báo Đồng Nai. https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/giao-duc/202504/truong-dai-hoc-lac-hong-tiep-tuc-co-du-an-vao-chung-ket-sv-startup-6f279c0/

Khoa Quản trị Kinh tế Quốc tế. (2023, June 10). QTKTQT: TS. Nguyễn Văn Tân chia sẻ tại chương trình “Gọi vốn đầu tư cho các dự án khởi nghiệp” [QTKTQT: Dr. Nguyen Van Tan shares at the "Calling for investment for startup projects" program]. LHU. https://qt.lhu.edu.vn/123/46781/QTKTQT-TS-Nguyen-Van-Tan-chia-se-tai-chuong-trinh-Goi-von-dau-tu-cho-cac-du-an-khoi-nghiep.html

LHU. (n.d.). Hành trình đến giải Nhì Cuộc thi SV STARTUP [The journey to the Second Prize of the SV STARTUP Contest]. Lac Hong University: 25th Anniversary. Retrieved November 4, 2025, from https://25nam.lhu.edu.vn/247/41954/Hanh-trinh-den-giai-nhi-Cuoc-thi-SVSTARTUP.html

Trường Đại học Lạc Hồng. (2023, May 22). Hành trình khởi nghiệp của sinh viên trên địa bàn tỉnh Đồng Nai: Chính sách và những câu chuyện (Bài 2) [Startup journey of students in Dong Nai province: Policies and stories (Part 2)]. Lac Hong University. https://lhu.edu.vn/21/46469/Hanh-trinh-khoi-nghiep-cua-sinh-vien-tren-dia-ban-tinh-Dong-Nai-Chinh-sach-va-nhung-cau-chuyen-Bai-2.html

Tạp chí Việt Nam Hội nhập. (2022, July 11). Đại học Lạc Hồng - điển hình về xây dựng hệ sinh thái khởi nghiệp [Lac Hong University - a model for building a startup ecosystem]. Tạp chí Việt Nam Hội nhập. https://vietnamhoinhap.vn/vi/dai-hoc-lac-hong--dien-hinh-ve-xay-dung-he-sinh-thai-khoi-nghiep-46134.htm

V. H. M. (2019, December 11). Chúc mừng sinh viên Khoa Công nghệ Thông tin Trường Đại học Lạc Hồng đã giành giải Ba Cuộc thi "Sinh viên với Ý tưởng Khởi nghiệp" và... [Congratulations to students of the Faculty of Information Technology, Lac Hong University, for winning the Third Prize in the "Student with Startup Ideas" Contest] [Status update]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/100026982326210/posts/1637857420456986/

Lac Hong University. (n.d.). Lac Hong University continues to make its mark with prestigious entrepreneurship awards. 

Lac Hong University. (2025). LHU students win consolation prize at the 7th National Student Startup Festival.

Lac Hong University. (2026). LHU students win second prize at SV.STARTUP 2026 with the project “Plant-Based Foods Made from Cashew Nuts.”

Công Nghĩa. (2026, April 19). Dong Nai students win second and third prizes at the 2026 National Startup Festival. Dong Nai Newspaper.