In 2025, Duy Tan University (DTU) continued to implement entrepreneurship activities involving specialised training, individual mentoring, access to research resources, project incubation and connections with experts, businesses and innovation networks.

The activities were coordinated by the Office of Business Cooperation and Entrepreneurship in collaboration with academic units, research centres, faculty members, entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship networks in Da Nang. Through these activities, project teams received support in conducting market research, developing business models, preparing financial plans, refining products and creating solutions connected with social and community needs.

Establishing an entrepreneurship support environment

On 21 February 2025, DTU organized the talk show “Conquering the Sharks” and officially launched the DTU Student Start-up Club. Entrepreneurs and start-up experts shared practical knowledge about establishing a business, building teams, managing human resources, applying artificial intelligence, identifying market opportunities and approaching investors.

The Club serves as a focal point for workshops, entrepreneurship competitions, networking activities and meetings with experts, businesses and investors. Members can access practical knowledge, information about funding and professional networks needed to further develop their business ideas. DTU also provides access to resources from its research and manufacturing centres, laboratories and entrepreneurial alumni network.

Implementing DTU Startup 2025

On 17 May 2025, DTU launched the DTU Startup Ideas 2025 - DTU Start up 2025 under the theme “Touching the Future – Entrepreneurship through Digital Transformation.”

The programme comprised several selection stages, specialised training, mentoring and in-person events. Project teams received guidance in project development, market research, Business Model Canvas design, financial planning, product communication, pitching and critical thinking.

The participating projects covered industry, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, healthcare, education, culture and tourism, financial services, renewable energy and social-impact business. Promising projects were offered opportunities for further incubation and participation in external entrepreneurship competitions.

Developing market, financial and project-management capabilities

Before the final round, the DTU Startup 2025 teams participated in a three-session Expert-led training series

The first session focused on communication strategy and product positioning. Under the guidance of Van Le Viet Duy, CCO and Co-founder of Hilab Technology, teams worked on identifying messages relevant to customer needs, positioning their products and adjusting go-to-market strategies based on feedback from actual users.

The next area covered market research, target-customer identification, Business Model Canvas development and financial planning. Teams examined market needs, customer segments, distribution channels, required resources, cost structures and potential sources of revenue.

In the project-management and pitching session, Le Ngoc Huyen, CEO and Master Trainer of the LEAD-UP Practical Management Academy, guided teams in applying SMART management, Agile Thinking, leadership skills and investor-pitching techniques.

The training series provided project teams with tools to assess market demand, financial feasibility, implementation capacity and the value their proposed products could deliver to users.

Connecting with the Da Nang entrepreneurship community

The Da Nang Network of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Digital Transformation Clubs, known as the HUB Network, was launched as part of DTU Startup 2025. A cooperation agreement was also signed between the HUB Network and the DTU Student Entrepreneurship Club.

The Network brings together student entrepreneurship clubs in Da Nang, enabling members to participate in joint activities, share resources and connect with local experts, entrepreneurs and businesses. Representatives of the Da Nang Young Entrepreneurs Association and local companies also participated in DTU’s activities as speakers, mentors and project connectors.

Through the HUB Network, DTU’s training activities and entrepreneurship resources are connected with students, young project teams, experts and businesses across the city.

Providing one-to-one mentoring for the Top 7 projects

On 19 November 2025, DTU organized a dedicated one-to-one mentoring programme for the Top 7 DTU Startup 2025 projects.

Each team worked directly with experts and entrepreneurs to review its product, target customers, market needs, business model, implementation plan and presentation. The mentoring process helped teams identify areas requiring further development, refine their value propositions and improve project feasibility before the final round.

Applying technology to support traditional businesses

From 25 April to 6 May 2025, DTU organized the P2A Hybrid Mobility in Business, Entrepreneurship, Technology and Intelligence 2025 programme.

More than 250 students from 15 universities and educational organizations worked in 17 teams to develop projects under the theme “Elevating ASEAN Local Traditional Businesses through the Power of Artificial Intelligence.”

Participants received guidance in application design, start-up website development, promotional video production and the application of technology to business operations. Their solutions addressed inventory and supply-chain management, market expansion, online sales, the promotion of traditional products and the preservation of local cultural identity.

Supporting the Development of “The Magic Hand” Social-Impact Start-up Project

“The Magic Hand” is a technology-based start-up project addressing the practical needs of people with finger disabilities resulting from workplace accidents, illnesses or the consequences of war. The project developed an affordable prosthetic finger designed for long-term use.

During product development, the student team surveyed potential users, collected biometric data and applied 3D simulation to assess the product’s durability, load-bearing capacity and flexibility. People with disabilities tested the prototypes and provided feedback on comfort, appearance, grip capability and support for daily activities.

The product combines 3D-printing and mechanical-manufacturing technologies. Its modular structure allows it to be customized for individual users and enables damaged components to be replaced separately instead of requiring the purchase of an entirely new device, thereby reducing long-term costs. The product can support loads of up to 10 kilograms and assist users in daily activities and occupations requiring gripping movements.

DTU provided specialist guidance, technology and facilities, including Mechanical Practice Rooms, the Manufacturing Laboratory, STEM & FAB LABs, 3D printers, CNC machines and force-measurement equipment. Faculty and staff supported the team from community-needs assessment, design, simulation and technical testing through prototype development and user evaluation.

On 11 November 2025, The Magic Hand won second prize at the ASEAN Entrepreneurship Hackathon 2025. In December 2025, the project also won first prize at the 2025 Global Vietnamese Start-up Challenge.

Through its customizable, repairable design and reduced replacement costs, The Magic Hand combines start-up potential with specific social value by supporting the independence and employment opportunities of people with disabilities.

Connecting resources from ideas to project development

DTU’s 2025 entrepreneurship activities covered several stages of project development, including foundational education, network building, specialised training, individual mentoring, access to university facilities, business connections and further incubation opportunities.

Through DTU Startup 2025, the Student Entrepreneurship Club, the HUB Network, the P2A Hybrid Mobility programme, specialist training and one-to-one mentoring, project teams received support in researching markets, preparing financial plans, developing business models and creating solution