Delegates at the launch of the 2026 Tuổi Trẻ Startup Award in HCM City on August 12. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The Tuổi Trẻ Startup Award 2026 opened in HCM City on August 12, seeking startup projects that address practical urban challenges and contribute to more modern, convenient, and sustainable cities.

The annual programme, organised by Tuổi Trẻ (Youth) newspaper with partner organisations, is this year themed “Innovation for Future Cities” and is being held as Việt Nam implements the Politburo’s Resolution 57 on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Unlike previous editions, which focused on specific sectors, this year’s award covers a broader range of urban challenges.

Projects are divided into three categories: fintech and the digital economy, infrastructure, transport and logistics, and social welfare and sustainable development.

Võ Hùng Thuật, director of Tuổi Trẻ newspaper’s digital media centre, said this is the first year the award has adopted such a broad thematic focus.

Future cities face increasingly complex challenges involving technology, finance, infrastructure, transport, logistics, social welfare and environmental protection, requiring innovative solutions from businesses, startups, experts, and young innovators, he said.

Under the new format, projects will be grouped by sector, with each category producing a shortlist of 10 outstanding projects.

Their teams will pitch their business models and implementation plans to an expert jury.

The pitching sessions are intended to help startups refine their business models, connect with industry experts, and gain access to potential investors.

A new feature of the awards is a dedicated category for university students to encourage them to turn ideas developed in lecture halls and laboratories into commercial products and services.

The initiative also aims to strengthen links between universities, businesses, and the startup ecosystem.

Entries will be assessed in four areas, with business model and scalability and practicality and problem-solving effectiveness each accounting for 30 per cent of the score, and team capacity and technological innovation for 20 per cent each.

Applications have to be sent in between August 12 and September 30.

The panel of judges will select 30 startups across the three categories, with the top 10 advancing to pitch their projects in the final round.

Outstanding projects will be honoured at an awards ceremony in October.

The 2026 award is supported by Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank, Thành Thành Công – Biên Hòa Joint Stock Company, and VinaCapital Group.

Startups and student groups can apply by email at tuoitrestartupaward@tuoitre.com.vn or scan the official QR code provided by the organisers for application guidelines. — VNS