UEH INSTITUTE OF INNOVATION
UII SANDBOX PROGRAM
A 15-week incubation program designed for students to accelerate their breakthrough ideas into viable business
Empowering Student Founders to Build Real MVPs
OVERVIEW ABOUT UII SANDBOX PROGRAM
UII Sandbox Program is an annual, student-centered incubation initiative designed to empower young innovators at the ideation stage to transform bold ideas into real-world impact. Through a structured, safe, and supportive environment, the program nurtures innovative thinking, equips participants with essential entrepreneurship knowledge and skills, and helps them validate ideas and build strong startup foundations for future growth.
NUMBER TALK
16
Universities
77
Teams
247
Registered Students
MISSION
- Nurture creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial mindset among students
- Attract talented, risk-taking, and research-oriented young founders
- Build a connected community of like-minded student innovators
- Enable students to freely experiment and develop breakthrough solutions in a safe environment
- Increase the number of high-quality, impact-driven startup ideas
- Establish a long-term, knowledge-based platform students can continuously refer to
TARGET AUDIENCE
- The program is designed for university students in Vietnam who:
- Have an early-stage idea or a strong passion for solving a real-world problem
- Are interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology-based solutions
DURATION
- 15 weeks, August – December.
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
The Startup Journey
YOU ARE HERE
01
Ideation
Problem/Solution Fit
02
Minimum Viable Product
Build MVP
03
Product-Market Fit
Validate Market
04
Channel-Product Fit
Optimize Channels
05
Scale
Expand & Raise Fund
06
Maturity
Sustainable Growth
UII Sandbox Program is divided into two clear phases,
guiding students from idea exploration to MVP development.
Phase 01
Online Phase
Idea-to-Prototype Pathway
Purpose
- Provide a safe, flexible space for students to explore, test, and refine startup ideas
- Equip participants with fundamental knowledge and step-by-step guidance
- Help teams validate problem–solution fit before moving into MVP development
Key Features
- Self-paced learning pathway with clear, practical instructions
- 5 structured milestones, each with step-by-step guidelines and required outputs
- 2 Online Office Hours to support participants and answer questions along the journey
- Milestone 1Market Segmentation
- Milestone 2User Understanding
- Milestone 3Problem Statement
- Milestone 4Concept Statement & Hypothesis
- Milestone 5Value Proposition Canvas
Phase 02
In-Person Phase
Intensive Incubation
Selection: Top 20 Most Promising Projects
Purpose
- Support MVP development, user testing, and early business model validation
- Prepare teams for investor-facing opportunities like Showcase Day
- Offer hands-on coaching and specialized mentoring to accelerate execution
Orientation & Objectives and Key Results
Build Minimum Viable Product / Prototype
User Experimenting
Market Validation
Build Next Steps + Pitching
Each Phase Will Include:
Expert Sessions & Essential Training Program
10 workshops covering essential topics for startups and projects, hosted by experts from various fields, held over the 10 weeks of the program.
Open Office Hours
Provide students with in-depth consultations from mentors and trainers to tackle specific challenges in their entrepreneurship and innovation journey.
Milestone Presentations
There will be 3 presentation milestones during the 10-week in which participants will be required to deliver their idea/project at certain stages. Participating individuals/ teams are required to present their work-in-progress ideas/projects. They will gain insightful feedback, identify improvement areas, and refine their strategies.
Growth Sessions
Each team will be assisted by one Startup Growth Associate to support students in reviewing progress and development plans, identifying challenges in a timely manner, and finding solutions. This activity ensures that each student/team stays committed to the incubation goals of startup and innovation.
Overall Benefits
Turn your startup ideas into reality
Essential Entrepreneurship Skills
Free Co-Working Space
Access to Investors & Mentors
Certificates & Extracurricular Points
Join UII Startup Community
EXPECTED OUTCOMES / WHAT YOU’LL GAIN
Spread the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation among students.
Equip students with standardized knowledge and skills in startup innovation.
Develop essential entrepreneurial traits, skills, and attitudes.
Foster teamwork spirit and collaborative skills in an innovative startup environment.
Idea/Startup Project Development
- Define customer needs, “pain points,” and the problem–solution fit with proposed products/services.
- Identify potential customer segments and target markets.
- Validate key issues related to problem–solution fit.
- Build a clear development plan and roadmap.
- Develop a Proof of Concept (POC) and/or Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
- Be ready for further incubation stages in the next startup support program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any questions? We’re here to help you.
Is the Sandbox program a competition?
NO, UII Sandbox program is not a competition. It is a 10-15 week incubation program designed for undergraduates to accelerate and transform their breakthrough ideas into viable businesses. designed to support the growth and success of all participating startups.
Who is eligible to apply for the program?
Students nationwide (all majors) with an early-stage idea, whether solo or as a team. First-time founders are especially welcome.
What kind of training programs are included?
Our training programs not only provides essential knowledge and hands on activities focusing from ideation phase to MVP development, but also connects students with experienced experts, mentors, and practical resources, empowering them to confidently experiment, fail, and grow alongside their ideas.
WHAT OUR FOUNDERS SAY
“The program truly changed my perspective on entrepreneurship. From vague concepts, I now have a much clearer and more practical understanding of the market and the process of building a real project. Sandbox is where I met friends who share the same passion for innovation – not only to learn together but also to co-create new projects and continue this exciting journey of growth.”
“Through the UII Incubation Program, we were inspired and em“Participating in the UII Sandbox Program was truly a turning point for me. It not only helped me improve my teamwork and crisis management skills within a project but also brought positive changes in how I manage my time, develop critical thinking, and stay motivated for personal growth in everyday life.”
