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
13
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
UII Sandbox Program is divided into two clear phases,
guiding students from idea exploration to MVP development.
Online Phase
Idea-to-Prototype Pathway
- 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
- 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
In-Person Phase
Intensive Incubation
- 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
Overall Benefits
EXPECTED OUTCOMES / WHAT YOU'LL GAIN
Spread the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation among students.
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.”
