A leading Vietnamese innovation competition is opening its doors to the world, offering startups, students and researchers the chance to turn bold ideas into market-ready solutions through international collaboration.
- A leading Vietnamese innovation competition is opening its doors to the world, offering startups, students and researchers the chance to...
- The Bach Khoa Innovation 2026 Challenge, widely known as BKI 2026, has opened applications for its latest edition, with a...
- The challenge aims to encourage collaboration between academic researchers and industry leaders while helping participants refine commercial ideas and build...
- The Standard Entrepreneurship and Innovation category targets students, startup founders, and research teams developing early-stage ideas and scalable business concepts.
Keep reading for the full breakdown on ASEAN innovation platform — everything you need to know is covered below.
The Bach Khoa Innovation 2026 Challenge, widely known as BKI 2026, has opened applications for its latest edition, with a renewed global focus on entrepreneurship, deep tech, and university-industry partnerships. Organised by Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology under Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, the competition is attracting participants from across multiple continents.
International Push for Innovation
Founded in 2018, BKI has grown into one of Southeast Asia’s recognised platforms for startup development and technology innovation. Organisers say the 2026 edition marks a fresh stage in the programme’s expansion as it moves towards a broader international model linking universities, startups, investors and corporations.
The challenge aims to encourage collaboration between academic researchers and industry leaders while helping participants refine commercial ideas and build entrepreneurial skills. This year’s competition will place greater emphasis on deep tech sectors, including artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, renewable energy, and biotechnology.
According to organisers, more than 646 projects from 94 universities and 48 high schools have participated in BKI since its launch. The programme has also drawn thousands of innovators and startup founders from different regions.
Two Main Competition Tracks
BKI 2026 will feature two major tracks. The Standard Entrepreneurship and Innovation category targets students, startup founders, and research teams developing early-stage ideas and scalable business concepts.
The second pathway, known as the University Industry Challenge, focuses on solving practical business problems through partnerships between companies and academic institutions. Several international firms are already involved in addressing technical challenges related to energy systems, circular economy projects, and industrial automation.
Participants will also gain access to mentorship, networking sessions, workshops and prototype development facilities. The organisers confirmed that selected international finalists may receive travel assistance to attend activities in Vietnam.
Focus on Deep Tech and Sustainability
The competition welcomes projects in areas such as smart manufacturing, climate technology, healthcare innovation, food systems and educational technology. Organisers are encouraging interdisciplinary teams capable of building practical solutions with commercial potential.
Associate Professor Phạm Trần Vũ of HCMUT said the programme seeks to position itself as a leading innovation platform in ASEAN while supporting young entrepreneurs who tackle real-world problems through technology and creativity.
Applications for BKI 2026 are currently open, with organisers urging innovators, startups and university teams worldwide to submit projects before the closing deadline later this month.
Interested applicants should fill out the registration form for Bach Khoa Innovation 2026.