International Innovators Award Vietnam

The International Innovators Award (IIA) is an annual initiative organized by the SEPT Competence Center at Leipzig University in cooperation with our partner universities in Vietnam.

For over a decade, the competition has provided young enterprises and start-ups in Vietnam with valuable opportunities to connect, collaborate, and explore new markets in the European Union, particularly in Germany.

The IIA serves as a platform for young entrepreneurs to present innovative business plans with strong potential for successful implementation in the German market.

The International Innovators Award offers the following benefits for innovative Vietnamese start-ups willing to expand their business internationally:

• Opportunity to present solutions, products, or service portfolios to an international jury and potential investors.
• Participation in the Export Management Advanced Training program (valued at EUR 1,200).
• Rewards for the top two start-ups, including a trip to Germany, access to office space at Leipzig University, and a lump sum of up to EUR 1,500 for travel and expenses.
• Opportunities for direct matchmaking with German business partners and customers, as well as on-site product/service validation in Germany.
• Possibility to establish long-term international collaborations.
• Networking opportunities with the Vietnamese community in Leipzig, Germany.

• Dynamic Vietnamese startups and young SMEs offering innovative products, services, or technologies
• With initial references or business experience in Vietnam or other countries
• Interested in establishing a presence in Germany and/or developing business activities in the German market
• Possessing good English or German language skills (presentations will be conducted in English)
• Demonstrating a can-do attitude, international orientation, and strong capacity for innovation

All applicants are required to submit a written short profile of their start-up or company, along with details of their innovative products, solutions, services, or technologies. The submission should be a PDF file (maximum 10 pages, in English) and must include complete contact information, as well as responses to the following points:

1. Introduction: Briefly describe your products, services, technology — highlighting their advantages, innovations, and unique selling propositions.
2. Business Plan and vision: Present your business plan and outline your vision for the next five years.
3. Internationalization motivation: Explain why you want to expand your business to Germany and Europe, and describe your business development strategy and action plan for the German market.
4. Purpose of the trip: Specify the main objectives of your potential trip to Germany.
5. Support from SEPT: Describe how you think the SEPT Competence Center can support your internationalization efforts in Germany.

An initial selection will be conducted by SEPT and its partners based on the quality of the submitted applications.
 

Application deadline: November 15, 2025.