The contest is jointly organised by the Gia Lai Provincial Youth Union and the Provincial Young Entrepreneurs Association to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among young people and attract wider business and social support.
Speaking ahead of the final, Đỗ Đức Thanh, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union and head of the organising committee, said the competition seeks to promote an entrepreneurial mindset among youth and generate a strong community-wide impact.
Launched earlier this year, the competition drew 70 project submissions from individuals and organisations, spanning agriculture, cuisine, tourism and cultural preservation. Most entries had progressed beyond the idea stage, with tangible products already being deployed in local communities.
Following a preliminary screening, 30 projects advanced to the semi-finals, where teams defended their proposals before a judging panel. Ten projects were ultimately selected for the final round after a rigorous evaluation based on novelty, creativity, market viability and development potential.
At the final, the organising committee will award first, second, third and promising prizes. The first prize includes 10 million Vietnamese dong (about USD 400) and a non-refundable startup support package of 20–50 million dong (approximately USD 800–2,000), disbursed in phases from the Gia Lai Youth Startup Support Fund, along with a certificate of merit from the Provincial Youth Union.
Promising projects may also be recommended for the province’s innovative startup incubation programme, enabling continued access to investment and development support.
To help contestants refine their business models, the organisers have coordinated training and mentorship sessions with Trương Thanh Hùng, Director of FiNNO Group and Vice Chairman of the National Innovative Startup Advisory Council. The competition has also received backing from experienced enterprises, offering opportunities for project development, business connections and brand building.
Among the 10 finalists, the “Beeswax Candles” project by Trần Thị Mai of Canh Thành village stands out for its humanitarian and sustainability focus. The project seeks to preserve traditional crafts of ethnic minority communities, create stable jobs, utilise local raw materials sustainably and promote an eco-friendly lifestyle. The handmade candles are produced from wild honeycomb wax and coconut fibre.
Although she already has a market-ready product, Mai said she faces challenges in funding and business model development, and hopes to receive guidance on design, capital access and market expansion during the final round.
Another finalist, “Digital Agricultural Products of the Central Highlands – International Standard Freeze-Dried Green Bananas and Durian,” is led by Hồ Thị Hoài Thu, Director of Green Tropical Import-Export Processing JSC in Chư Sê commune. The project aims to increase the value of local agricultural products through ISO-, HACCP- and FDA-compliant processing, supplying export-ready banana powder and freeze-dried durian that can raise product value by three to five times.
Thu said the competition has provided valuable knowledge, particularly in building sustainable raw material supply chains, and has created a platform for young entrepreneurs to exchange experience and seek long-term support.
