Co-founded by Fulbright University Vietnam and The Olympia Schools (TOS), the Vietnam Business Innovation Challenge (VBIC) has emerged as one of the most dynamic platforms for high school students aged 14 to 18 to explore the world of business innovation. What began as a case competition has evolved into a national movement that nurtures business innovation, critical thinking, and social responsibility among Gen Alpha youth.

A Competition Born from Belief in Youth Potential

High school students are often underestimated due to their limited formal experience. Yet, they are also the most responsive to emerging trends, unafraid to challenge the status quo, and bold enough to imagine new solutions to old problems. Recognising this untapped potential, FUV and TOS launched VBIC with a shared vision: to cultivate a generation of young innovators who can contribute to solving Vietnam’s and the region’s most pressing business challenges.

In just two years, the competition has attracted thousands of high school students who have demonstrated not only creativity and sharp thinking but also a strong sense of purpose. VBIC offers them a space where ideas are valued, collaboration is encouraged, and learning is deeply experiential.

Opportunities for young innovators

Engage with Real-world Business Challenges: VBIC offers students the opportunity to tackle authentic business problems presented by a diverse array of companies in Vietnam and beyond. Participants will work on cases from various sectors, including corporations, startups, and cultural institutions such as local museums, spanning industries such as Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Food and Beverage (F&B), Arts, and Manufacturing. This exposure provides students with a comprehensive understanding of practical economic activities.

Receive Training and Mentorship from Industry Experts: Participants will benefit from training sessions and mentorship provided by leading experts and innovators. These professionals, coming from diverse backgrounds, are committed to sharing their experiences, aiding students not only in solving business cases but also in applying these insights to real-life scenarios.

Experience Competition on National and International Platforms: VBIC provides a platform for students to compete and learn at national, regional, and international levels. Engaging in such large-scale competitions for the first time teaches students how to strategise effectively and collaborate as a team to overcome the dynamic challenges presented.

Gain Exposure to Higher Education and Professional Development Opportunities: VBIC offers in-depth exposure to college-level learning and professional development. Through various exclusive awards, including partial undergraduate scholarships at Fulbright University Vietnam and short course scholarships from the University of Adelaide, students can immerse themselves in practical environments within startups and higher education, all within a short duration, aiding in informed decision-making for their futures.

More Than a Contest: A Youth Innovation Movement

Since its launch, VBIC has welcomed over 1,500 students from grades 9 to 12 across Vietnam and from more than 10 countries and territories. Participants come from diverse academic backgrounds, ranging from public schools to international institutions, bringing varied perspectives to the table. This diversity enriches the quality of discourse and the feasibility of proposed solutions.

The competition has also received significant support from leading organisations, including Vinamilk, DH Foods in 2025 and Hung Vo Foundation, Phu Thai Group, and Biti’s in 2024. These partners provide not only sponsorship but also mentorship, training, and real-world challenges that students must tackle head-on.

Structured across three rounds (Application, Qualifying, and Finals), VBIC ensures a comprehensive experience. Participants work closely with mentors, receive curated training, and even gain access to immersive experiences such as company visits and campus stays. The final rounds have been hosted at Fulbright University Vietnam (Season 1) and The Olympia Schools (Season 2), offering state-of-the-art facilities and a glimpse into the professional world. Prizes have included scholarships for international camps, bootcamps, and admission grants to FUV.

Tackling Real-World Business Challenges

Each season of VBIC is defined by a central theme rooted in real-world business and societal issues.

In 2024, the theme “Sustainability in Business” pushed students to think critically about how businesses can grow while aligning with environmental and social values.

• In the first round, Vinamilk challenged students to develop strategies for promoting waste management and sustainable consumption habits.
• The second round featured Flamigo Theatre, which posed questions around maintaining cultural relevance and financial sustainability amid declining youth engagement.
• The final case combined challenges from Phu Thai Holdings and Jaguar Land Rover, asking students to balance business growth with sustainable development goals.

In 2025, the theme shifted to “Innovating the Traditions”, encouraging students to reimagine Vietnam’s heritage through the lens of modern business.

• Participants conducted field research to analyse local museums and suggest ways to better preserve and promote traditional values.
• In the next round, DH Foods tasked students with developing strategies to introduce Vietnamese spices to international markets while maintaining cultural authenticity.
• The final round once again returned to Vinamilk, this time focusing on enhancing the visibility and accessibility of its Green Farm line, a challenge rooted in national branding and sustainable positioning.

These challenges go beyond theory, asking students to engage with real data, stakeholder needs, and evolving market landscapes. As a result, the ideas generated are not only imaginative but also practical and impactful.

A Robust Learning and Mentorship Ecosystem

To uphold its high standards of business innovation, VBIC places strong emphasis on equipping students not only with knowledge but also with the right skills and mindset. This is achieved through a carefully designed system of training and mentorship involving both industry experts and university student mentors.

In the Qualifying Round, participants engage in a series of training workshops led by professionals across diverse domains: marketing, finance and investment, leadership and strategy, product development, culture, and sustainability. These sessions go beyond theoretical instruction; trainers connect real-world insights to the competition’s business cases, helping students understand how core concepts apply in practice.

Alongside expert-led training, each team is paired with a student mentor, high-performing undergraduates with proven experience in business innovation and entrepreneurship. These mentors serve as both coaches and companions, offering constructive feedback, posing critical guiding questions to spark innovative thinking, and supporting students emotionally throughout the journey.

The Final Round deepens this learning experience. Here, participants interact directly with judges who are business leaders, many of whom have followed the teams’ progress across all three rounds. Students reflect on earlier missteps and receive personalised feedback, helping them sharpen their strategies under the time constraints and performance pressure of the finals.

What truly distinguishes VBIC’s training and mentorship model is its networking value. Participants connect with mentors and trainers who may later serve as academic, professional, or personal guides. These relationships help students build long-term confidence and clarity in navigating future career paths, a challenge many young people face. At the same time, mentors and trainers benefit from engaging with one another, forming an early-stage VBIC alumni ecosystem of changemakers who share a “pay-it-forward” spirit.

This process is grounded in reciprocal learning. Students, mentors, and speakers are encouraged to provide feedback not only to each other but also to the organising team. This commitment to transparency and continuous improvement has helped shape a learning culture that mirrors the demands of today’s fast-evolving world: adaptive, reflective, and collaborative.

Top 3 Finalists of VBIC 2025. They are all granted partial scholarships for four years of undergraduate study at Fulbright University Vietnam, worth 60% for the Winner, 50% for the First-runner and 40% for the second runner.

Conclusion

With professional organizations, real-world challenges, and the convergence of trusted experts and brands, the Vietnam Business Innovation Challenge has become a national platform of inspiration and action. By remaining true to its spirit of continual innovation, VBIC has empowered Vietnamese youth to step out of their comfort zone, embrace problem-solving with purpose, and contribute to shaping a more sustainable and dynamic future. With more than 1,000 ideas generated, the journey has only just begun, and many of these ideas are already on their way to becoming real solutions.

Appendix: Awards of Vietnam Business Innovation Challenge 2024

• A fully funded 1-week study trip at Fulbright University Vietnam for Top 3 teams
• Up to 95% scholarships to a 1-week Entre Tour in the Philippines for Top 10 teams
• Partial scholarships for courses at Education First Vietnam for Top 50 teams

Appendix: Awards of Vietnam Business Innovation Challenge 2025

• Innovation Bootcamp: Program Fee Waiver for 1-week Fulbright University Vietnam Open Innovation Bootcamp
• Undergraduate Scholarship: Partial scholarships for four years of undergraduate study at Fulbright University Vietnam, worth 60% for the Winner, 50% for the First-runner and 40% for the Second-runner.
• Scholarships for short courses by University of Adelaide for Top 2 teams.

Becoming future innovators with Fulbright University Vietnam

Building on the success of VBIC over the past two years, Fulbright is proud to introduce a new opportunity for high school students passionate about business innovation. Organised by the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the Fulbright Innovation Bootcamp (FIB) 2025 offers a dynamic learning environment where students can explore entrepreneurship through both theoretical foundations and hands-on experiences. Participants will engage in activities such as customer interviews, problem identification, and solution development to address real-world social challenges.

FIB 2025: Entrepreneurship offers 5-day interactive learning activities for high school students to explore entrepreneurship through hands-on fieldwork and real customer engagement with the outcomes of:

• Receive a Program Certificate issued by Fulbright University Vietnam, which enhances
• Academic portfolios and Professional readiness.
• Form an Early entrepreneurial mindset.
• Connect and grow with mentors, innovators, and a vibrant entrepreneurial community.

The program is for:

• Senior and High school students.
• At least 14 years old at the time of registration.
• Fluent in English (equivalent to IELTS 6.0+).

With our experience in organising competitions, bootcamps, and other innovation-related events, we guarantee a safe environment for residential campers with 24/7 staff supervision, medical support, and clear camp regulations.

The camp will take place from 07 July 2025 to 11 July 2025 at Fulbright University Vietnam, Crescent Campus, 105 Ton Dat Tien, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City.

Apply for FIB 2025 now via this link. More information can be found here.