Nurturing creative ideas

The judges of the contest included: Ha Thu Thanh - Chairwoman of Deloitte Vietnam and Chairwoman of CSIP, Ms. Pham Kieu Oanh - Director of CSIP, Le Quoc Vinh – Chairman of Le Communication Group, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tien - Portfolio Manager of Vietnam Climate Innovation Center (VCIC), Mr. Dao Ngoc Tien - Head of the Administrative Department - Head of Foreign Trade University’s Research Department, and Ms. Tran Hong Diep - Coordinator of For Vietnamese Stature Foundation (VSF).

Ms. Tran Thi Nhu Trang - Director of For Vietnamese Stature Foundation (4th left) awarded the second prize to the CONNECTOR Team - the solution to connect the needs for psychological support

Ms. Tran Hong Diep - VSF (4th left) shared the joy with Team Nutree Centre - Nutrition Training Center which won the Nutrition prize

SOIN Challenge 2017 was held by VSF, Center for Social Initiatives Promotion (CSIP), Resource Consulting and Development Company (IBE) and Wellspring International Bilingual School

One of the important activities of the Social Innovation (SOIN) is to gather business initiatives to deal with social and environmental issues. Unlike other startup contests, SOIN Challenge pays special attention to the potential for social impact that initiatives can bring. Because of this, the organizers planned four talks for audiences such as social organizations, students and high school students, to inspire them to start a business for the community. In addition, the teams in the semi-final in each category were trained in areas such as understanding customers and clients, understanding social issues, identifying market size and competitors and developing products to equip them with knowledge when embarking on the realization of their ideas.

In September 2017, VSF not only provided funding but also technical mentoring to implement Vietnam Social Innovation Challenge (2017) in Social Innovation Channel - SOIN.org.vn of CSIP. VSF sponsors excellent ideas in contests (Nutrition, Education and other ideas) in the form of seed funds. Seed funds are used to develop business plans. Through this contest, VSF wishes to inspire social creativity and seek outstanding projects in many areas of social issues, with priority given to Nutrition and Education to promote children’s rights in those matters. Innovations can be solutions, technologies, products or services that can make a positive change for society. VSF is one of the Organizing Committee’s partners, which not only plays a role in sharing and guiding, but also aims to support the Social Start-up - the great warriors working all day and night to create innovative projects for a better community that will be worthy of recognition and support.

“In the core programs of VSF, we have the Nurturing Talent program. We regard SOIN Challenge 2017 as an excellent opportunity to nurture and develop talents for the globalization development of a Vietnamese young generation - the pride of Vietnam", said Ms. Tran Thi Nhu Trang - Director of VSF.

Ms. Tran Hong Diep - Member of the jury, questioning the contestants

Each team had 5 minutes to present their idea and 10 minutes to answer all questions from the jury

Students from Bui Thi Xuan School, Dalat, Lam Dong province introducing the idea of ​​intelligent glasses for the blind

Candidates confidently answering difficult questions

SOIN Challenge 2017 officially started on 15/9/2017 in Hanoi. After 3 months of launching, the Organizing Committee has received nearly 150 applications for registration nationwide. Among them, 68 records came from SOIN Junior (for high school students) and 81 records were from SOIN Unlimited. After the selection process, the Organizing Committee granted the award for 6 top teams from the Top 10 of the Unlimited Creativity category and 6 top teams from the Top 12 of the Young Creative category.

Ms. Pham Kieu Oanh, the Founder, Director of CSIP, the member of the judging panel said, "We are delighted that the teams have presented their ideas to the judges exceptionally well. This is a well-earned result for teams for not only having innovative business models but also demonstrating the positive social impact that this model brings. Besides awarding seed funds, we are committed to supporting ideas in the coming future to help the teams complete further business models."

Winning the First Prize of the Unlimited Creative category, Mr. Vo Phi Vu, the Founder of SharingFarming.net Project - Farmer 4.0 - Farmer's Trade Platform said, "I am very happy to receive the highest award of this year's SOIN Challenge. That is the motivation, the great encouragement that the Organizing Committee has given to me on the path of realizing my dream." About the intention of the future project development, Mr. Vu shared, "Through the competition, I have received the practical support from the consultants who helped me to improve my project. In the meantime, I will continue to work with the departments to implement the project in Ho Chi Minh City, followed by Ba Ria Vung Tau province and then the Mekong Delta, with the aim of helping the farmers there to benefit from this project."

“I create” is the message that the organizers gave to the teams

The list of winning individuals and organizations is as follows:

Unlimited Creative Category (SOIN Unlimited):

1 First Prize: SharingFarming.Net - Farmer 4.0 - Farmer'sTrade Platform

1 Second prize: CONNECTOR - Solution to connect the needs of psychological support

3 Third Prizes:

• Bavifa - Producing organic fertilizers safely with biological products

• GaT - (Give and Take The Book)

• Nutree Center - Community Nutrition Training Center

1 Consolation Prize: mGreen - Project of waste classification and redeem points

Young Creativity Category (SOIN Junior)

1 First prize: G.L.A.M - Intelligent glasses for the visually impaired

2 Second Prizes:

• Mr.HANDY - Application to help develop a nutritional menu for children under 5 years old

• WAVE - Interactive application between teachers, students and parents

3 Third Prizes:

• CURA - Bracelet Ideas for Autistic Children

• YOUNG CREATIVE CENTER - To stimulate the passion and creativity of young people

• HILITES - T​treating organic waste as fertilizer in the city

Some photos at the awards ceremony:

Team For Vietnamese Stature Foundation were excited about the success of SOIN Challenge 2017