UEH Hosts ICIA Global 2025, Advancing the Global Ecosystem of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

On April 27, 2025, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) successfully hosted the Award Ceremony and Closing Event of the International Creativity & Innovation Award (ICIA) 2025, marking the first time that Vietnam has organized a large-scale international event dedicated to youth in Innovation and Startup.

The ICIA is a global educational initiative launched by Krya Global (Indonesia) and held annually across several Asian countries. Its mission is to foster innovative thinking and promote entrepreneurship (Entrepreneurship) among students, young professionals, and early-stage startups.

The year 2025 represents a significant milestone as UEH assumed the role of host institution for the first time, affirming its strong commitment to strengthening international collaboration in innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship.

Award Categories and Exhibition Tracks

The ICIA 2025 featured four key categories, each designed to support and recognize innovation at different stages of growth:

• Innovation Challenge: For students aged 6–12, fostering creativity and innovative problem-solving skills from an early age.

• Inventor Wannabe: A platform for secondary school students to develop invention concepts with real-world applications.

• Startup Exchange: A showcase for emerging startup projects, particularly those focusing on technology, digital business, and Fintech.

• Innovation Award: Prestigious recognitions presented by an international panel of experts, honoring outstanding achievements in innovation and entrepreneurship.

These categories reflect ICIA’s role as more than a competition, serving as a global educational platform where young innovators develop leadership, creativity, and entrepreneurial competencies to thrive in today’s dynamic business environment.

Global Collaboration Driving Innovation and Entrepreneurship

ICIA Global 2025 was made possible through the collaboration of prominent national and international organizations, including:

• National Startup Support Center (NSSC) – Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam

• CreBiz Factory (Korea)

• Bold Group (Thailand)

• Atal Incubation Center – Sri Krishnadevaraya University (India)

• IFIA Bharat – the Indian chapter of the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA)

• M.I.U Connect (Vietnam)

This strong network of partners reflects a shared commitment to advancing global innovation and entrepreneurship, positioning Vietnam as an increasingly influential player in the international startup landscape.

Positioning Vietnam in the Global Startup Ecosystem

Hosting the ICIA Global 2025 represents a strategic milestone for UEH and Vietnam, aligning with long-term goals to build a globally integrated innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The event created opportunities for investors, mentors, experts, and youth-led startups to connect and collaborate, laying the foundation for breakthrough business models that address global challenges through Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Beyond celebrating outstanding startups and groundbreaking projects, ICIA 2025 sent a powerful message about the ambition and determination of Vietnam’s young generation to establish a strong presence in the global startup and innovation arena.

With a vision for sustainable development, UEH and its partners remain dedicated to supporting the Startup ecosystem, fostering Innovation, encouraging Entrepreneurship, and building a resilient and future-ready community for Vietnam and the region.