HANOI – The Business Challenges Season 7 competition officially entered its Semi-Finals at the University of Economics and Business (VNU-UEB) on March 23, 2025. 31 teams from universities across the country participated. This isn't just a platform for creative ideas, but also an opportunity for young people to engage with practical business applications and apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems faced by businesses.

The event received significant attention, participation, and support from leaders, experts, sponsors, and advisors from prestigious organizations within and outside VNU-UEB.

- From VNU-UEB: Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Anh Thu, Vice President, along with numerous faculty, staff, and students interested in entrepreneurship and innovation.

- From strategic partners and sponsors: Professor Dr. CEO Tran Van Le, Chairman and General Director of Phuong Linh Group, the program’s strategic partner and Platinum Sponsor; Ms. Hoang Thi Binh Minh, Deputy General Director of DREAMHOME Group; Mr. Vu Van Son, CEO of Hang Kenh Carpet Joint Stock Company, the accompanying sponsor; and Ms. Nguyen Hoang Quyen, CEO of QLA English & IELTS Elite.

- The esteemed panel of judges for the Semi-Finals:

+ Branch 1 Judges:

1/ Dr. Dao Cam Thuy - Deputy Director of the Institute of Business Administration, Head of the Marketing Department, VNU-UEB

2/ Mr. Lai Manh Quan - Deputy General Director of TASCO Insurance Company, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Best Business Ecosyste

3/ Mr. Vu Bao Thang - Founder & CEO of Meta Ecom Group, Deputy Head of Human Resources Development Committee - Vietnam E-Commerce Association

+ Branch 2 Judges:

1/ Dr. Nguyen Van Loc - Lecturer at VNU-UEB

2/ Mr. Hoang Quoc Khanh - Growth Marketing Expert at AhaSlides

3/ Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Ngan - Head of Retail Customer Department, Vietcombank - Hoan Kiem Branch

The Semi-Finals were divided into two independent branches. Each branch selected the six best teams to advance to the Finals.

Semi-Finals Branch 1 – Promising Start-Up Ideas

Branch 1 featured 16 teams with projects focused on innovative fields such as AI technology, VR education, sustainable product business, and marketing. The teams delivered impressive presentations, demonstrating strategic thinking and strong execution capabilities.

The judging panel for Branch 1 noted the clear progress of the teams in both content and presentation skills. Dr. Dao Cam Thuy commented: "Many teams have gone beyond just ideas and have taken initial trial implementation steps, demonstrating a seriousness and deep understanding of their target markets."

Mr. Lai Manh Quan praised the scalable business models, stating: "Many groups have approached the problems very practically, demonstrating the commercial potential of their products and services."

Mr. Vu Bao Thang also shared: "I was particularly impressed with the way some teams leveraged technology to create differentiated value. This shows that the spirit of innovative entrepreneurship is spreading strongly within the student community."

These comments not only recognize the professional quality of the teams, but also provide motivation for them to continue developing their projects and further improve in the upcoming Finals.

After intense competition, the six best teams from Branch 1 were announced:

- Hiep si BTEC: Hand-made decorative carpets.

- Llamas: VR Education.

- Bio Heal: Biotechnology applications.

- AIVOS: AI Tool B2C, AI Agent B2B.

- Man trai mua Moc Chau: Developing a unique agricultural product.

- Chillguys: Technology solutions in the culinary industry.

Semi-Finals Branch 2 – Breakthrough Business Strategies

In the afternoon, 15 teams in Branch 2 continued the competition to find the best candidates for the Finals. The projects focused on digital transformation, optimizing business operations, marketing strategies, and human resource management, offering practical and sustainable development solutions.

The judging panel for Branch 2 praised the practical applications, business understanding, and problem-solving abilities demonstrated by the teams.

Dr. Nguyen Van Loc commented: "What impressed me was that the teams approached the problem not only from an academic perspective, but also showed a very thorough study of the business. One team even conducted a personnel survey and analyzed internal data to provide highly feasible solutions."

Mr. Hoang Quoc Khanh shared: "Some projects demonstrated a very in-depth marketing mindset, from identifying the core problems of the business to communication solutions and brand building. I especially appreciate the teamwork and proactivity of the students."
 

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Ngan remarked: "The professionalism in the presentation, the ability to argue, and the ability to answer questions from many teams made me feel like I was listening to a presentation from real consulting groups."

The positive evaluation from the judges confirmed the professional quality of the projects in Branch 2 and inspired the teams to continue to promote their strengths in the upcoming Finals.

A special feature of Branch 2 was the close connection between students and businesses. Each team was not only coached by business mentors but also received practical guidance from experts in various fields.

At the end of the competition, the six teams from Branch 2 who won the right to advance to the Finals were:

- Tai chinh vui nhon: Dual transformation at SMEs in the F&B industry.

- Vi sao tinh tu: Plan to increase labor productivity at PNJ.

- Zenith: Customer care strategy for VPS.

- KQMB: QLA English brand development.

- Chill G: Marketing strategy for electric motor products.

- Trailblazers: Applying technology in real estate management.

The Semi-Finals of Business Challenges Season 7 officially closed, leaving many memorable emotions, imprints, and experiences for contestants, organizers, and participating businesses. More than just a round of competition, it was a journey of growth where the teams learned how to work together, solve real-world problems, and listen to in-depth feedback from leading industry experts.

The 12 best teams have been named, carrying their potential projects, innovative thinking, and a strong pioneering spirit into the Finals. Ahead of them is a greater challenge, one that requires not only creativity, logic, and persuasion, but also the courage and long-term vision to realize their business ideas.

The Finals promise to be a stage for explosive innovation, a place where teams not only compete but also spread values, inspiring the spirit of entrepreneurship, proactivity, and practical problem-solving skills.

Look forward to the Business Challenges Season 7 Finals – where future leaders will shine and shape a generation of sustainable, courageous, and integrated entrepreneurs.