International experts share startup insights to help HUTECH students strengthen their entrepreneurial mindset
- 01/07/2026
Every startup begins with an idea, but turning that idea into lasting success requires resilience, practical thinking, and the ability to transform a vision into a product that creates real value.
On June 30, the talk show "The Founder's Journey: From a Resilient Mindset to Real World Ventures" gave students at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) valuable insights into entrepreneurship, investment, and business management. Held as part of HUTECH Startup Wings 2026, the event provided participating teams with an opportunity to learn directly from entrepreneurs, investors, and legal experts before advancing to the next stage of the competition.
Drawing from his own entrepreneurial journey and the challenges he faced in the early stages of building a business, Dato' Seri Dr. Derek Goh, Executive Chairman and Group CEO of Serial System Ltd (Singapore) shared the essential principles behind building a sustainable company. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a lifelong learning mindset, managing time effectively, understanding market trends, and identifying customer needs before pursuing expansion. He noted that lasting products are those that create genuine value, solve real problems, and continuously evolve based on market feedback.
Dato' Seri Dr. Derek Goh Bak Heng BBM(L) shares the foundations of building a sustainable business
He also highlighted the importance of localization when expanding into new markets. Every country and customer segment has its own consumer behavior, communication style, and expectations, making adaptability a critical quality for founders. Businesses must be willing to tailor their strategies, products, and operating models to local contexts. Reflecting on his journey from leading a small business to building one of Asia's leading electronic components distribution groups, Dr. Goh encouraged students to embrace long term vision, perseverance, and adaptability throughout their entrepreneurial journey.
From a legal perspective, Mr. Andy Matthijs, Co-Founder of A:M Lawyers (Belgium) discussed key issues that are often overlooked during the early stages of a startup. He emphasized the importance of protecting intellectual property, safeguarding trademarks, establishing shareholder agreements, clearly defining the roles of co-founders, and documenting commitments in writing before a business begins to scale. While many startups are built on trust among like-minded individuals, he stressed that responsibilities, ownership, and contributions must be clearly established as the venture grows.
Mr. Andy Matthijs highlights the legal foundations every startup should establish from the beginning
Drawing on his experience as both a lawyer and an investor, Mr. Matthijs explained that a strong legal foundation does not hinder entrepreneurship. Instead, it minimizes risks, protects a company's core value, and builds confidence among partners and investors. For student entrepreneurs in particular, addressing legal matters early can help prevent future disputes over ideas, branding, product ownership, and equity distribution while laying the groundwork for professional business development.
Speaking from his experience working across multiple countries, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Vinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Business Association in Belgium, emphasized the importance of academic preparation and personal character. He encouraged students to build a solid knowledge base during their university years, develop the ability to learn continuously, and remain persistent in the face of challenges. Entrepreneurial success rarely happens overnight, and every stage requires careful preparation, resilience, and determination.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Vinh encourages students to build resilience and credibility throughout their entrepreneurial journey
He also encouraged students to uphold honesty, integrity, and responsibility throughout their careers. As startups move through product testing, fundraising, operations, and market competition, the founder's character plays a vital role in earning the trust of teammates, customers, and business partners. Entrepreneurship, he noted, is not only about creating products but also about developing oneself, building credibility, and cultivating the resilience needed for long term success.
Following the keynote presentations, teams participating in HUTECH Startup Wings 2026 pitched their projects directly to a panel of experts. Promising ideas included Co Moc Huong compressed herbal shampoo, PawMist Harmony Collection, which connects pet owners with their pets through innovative products, the Cam Sanh 360 ecosystem, the Bionic Wings 3D printed mechanical prosthetic hand, Mira for Health, a nutritional product that supports gut health, and Viet Tac, a digital platform dedicated to preserving and promoting Vietnam's cultural heritage.
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Through project presentations, expert feedback, and panel discussions, participating teams gained valuable perspectives on product value, target customers, feasibility, legal considerations, and market development strategies, enabling them to further refine their ideas before the Grand Final.
Dr. Huynh Ngoc Anh reaffirms HUTECH's commitment to supporting student entrepreneurship
Speaking at the event, Dr. Huynh Ngoc Anh, Vice President of HUTECH, reaffirmed the University's strong commitment to fostering student entrepreneurship. He noted that HUTECH Startup Wings is implemented across the University's faculties and institutes to help students develop innovative ideas, strengthen their investment pitching skills, and gradually bring their projects closer to both domestic and international markets.
News: Gia Hân
Photo: Quốc Đạt
Communication Center
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