FPT University Empowers Students to Start Their Own Businesses Right on Campus

FPT University, a member of FPT Corporation, is building a practical ecosystem where students can study, run their own businesses, and even raise capital to develop their products while still at school.

On April 24, FPT University signed a cooperation agreement with the National Innovation Center (NIC), marking a strategic milestone in its journey to create a comprehensive entrepreneurship ecosystem for students.

Under the agreement, the two parties will jointly implement a series of initiatives such as expert exchanges, startup events, business project development support, and investment connection. This marks one of FPT University’s most distinctive features where students can “test-run” real business models, receive financial support, and connect directly with investors during their studies.

This partnership aims to help students develop their business projects from ideas to reality through activities such as organizing startup events, connecting experts and investors, and offering in-depth training. The model of “learning through entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship through learning” has become a hallmark of FPT University.

FPT University and the National Innovation Center sign a cooperation agreement.

Dr. Nguyen Khac Thanh, President of FPT University under FPT Corporation, emphasized: “Innovation and the encouragement of entrepreneurial spirit are the guiding principles in all of our school’s activities. The cooperation with NIC opens up many opportunities for students from exposure to a dynamic startup ecosystem to direct participation in impactful innovation projects. With NIC’s companionship, FPT University will continue to nurture and develop young talents, contributing to the creation of a high-quality workforce for the nation.”

On NIC’s side, Director Vu Quoc Huy expressed his confidence that the collaboration would further strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship activities. He noted that FPT University is a unique institution founded within an enterprise, and the signing of this cooperation agreement demonstrates the close linkage between education and practice, aligning with the Party and State’s policy of effective coordination among the “three houses”: the State, academia, and business.

In practice, FPT University has long been developing students’ entrepreneurial mindset. By 2023, the entrepreneurship program had been officially integrated into the curriculum with two compulsory courses “Startup Experience 1 and 2” in the final three semesters. Remarkably, students with outstanding startup projects not only have their projects recognized as a substitute for a graduation thesis but also receive financial support of up to 50 million VND per project from FPT University for implementation. Since 2024, the university has granted more than 5 billion VND in funding to 125 student startup teams nationwide.

This model not only helps students gain hands-on experience but also inspires them to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys in a structured, strategic, and well-supported manner.

Beyond education, FPT University has been fostering a startup ecosystem through competitions and creative platforms such as F-Shark, Student Showcase, and FPT Edu Biz Talent. These provide opportunities for students to present ideas, defend them before expert panels, attract funding, and turn their products into reality. Throughout this journey, the university, lecturers, entrepreneurs, and investors act as mentors and supporters from ideation and testing to commercialization ensuring that students can confidently start their ventures with a strong support ecosystem behind them.

FPT University students participating in startup activities.

With its pioneering educational approach, a comprehensive student startup support strategy, and the partnership with NIC, FPT University is steadily realizing its vision of becoming an incubator for young entrepreneurs those who not only shape their own futures but also contribute to the growth of Vietnam’s creative economy.