As a pioneering startup investment fund in Vietnam, FUNDGO has chosen Ho Chi Minh City University of Food Industry (HUFI) as a strategic partner in developing the student startup ecosystem. This collaboration opens real investment opportunities for outstanding startup ideas from students.
In the “Startup Idea Search – Season 3” competition in 2023, FUNDGO was not only a sponsor or partner but also a potential investor. Teams with exceptional ideas had the chance to be evaluated and mentored by FUNDGO and could receive investment capital to bring their projects to life.
This year’s competition received more than 24 submissions in the preliminary round, reflecting the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit among students. The professional council selected the top five projects to compete in the final round. The teams presented their projects and answered questions from the judging panel, which included representatives from FUNDGO.
The presence of FUNDGO in the judging panel brought special value to the competition. Students were evaluated not only academically but also from the perspective of real investors. Evaluation criteria included project feasibility, market potential, scalability, and team capability.
For FUNDGO, participating in student startup competitions is a way to discover early-stage innovative ideas and connect with talented young founders. Many successful global startups began as university projects, and FUNDGO does not want to miss the opportunity to invest in these “rough diamonds.”
According to FUNDGO representatives, the fund focuses particularly on Fintech, e-commerce, Edtech, and digital transformation solutions for businesses, but it is also open to considering other innovative ideas with strong growth potential.
FUNDGO’s investment process for student projects is tailored to suit this specific group. Instead of requiring strict criteria like operational startups, FUNDGO emphasizes the potential of the idea, the passion, and the learning ability of the team.
In addition to financial investment, FUNDGO also offers strategic consulting, industry expert connections, introductions to potential customers, and support for future funding rounds. These are essential added values that a venture capital fund can provide for early-stage startups.
With this collaboration, HUFI students no longer have to worry that their startup ideas will remain only on paper. They now have a clear path to turn their ideas into reality — from competing in startup contests to securing investment from FUNDGO and developing into real businesses.