Ho Chi Minh City, August 20, 2026 – After 14 years of growth and development, Startup Wheel 2026 officially concluded its journey of selection, connection, and competition at InnoEx 2026, naming three champions: Viet Dynamic – Champion of the Vietnam Track; Aqufish – Champion of the International Track; and Electroverse – Champion of Vietnam Youth Startup.

This year’s edition attracted 2,458 projects from 28 countries, with the support of more than 80 domestic and international partners. These figures continue to demonstrate the strong appeal of Startup Wheel while reaffirming the program’s role as a platform connecting startups with resources, expanding networks, and unlocking development opportunities in Vietnam and across the region.

Startup Wheel 2026: 14 Years of Connecting the Startup Ecosystem

Over 14 years of growth and development, Startup Wheel has gradually expanded from a competition seeking promising startup projects into a platform connecting diverse stakeholders across the innovation ecosystem.

This journey has been shaped through numerous editions, bringing together Vietnamese and international startups, alongside a network of investors, experts, corporations, startup support organizations, and domestic and international partners.

In 2026, the journey continued to expand, with 2,458 projects from 28 countries and more than 80 supporting partners. From the Application, Interview, Top 100, Top 50, and Top 30 rounds to pitching sessions at InnoEx 2026, Startup Wheel created an environment for startups to test themselves, receive feedback, expand their networks, and explore new opportunities.

From a startup competition, Startup Wheel has increasingly evolved into a platform connecting ideas, technology, people, and markets – creating opportunities for Vietnamese startups to access international networks, while enabling projects from different markets to explore and expand collaboration opportunities in Vietnam.

Three Startup Wheel 2026 Champions Officially Crowned

Following the selection and pitching rounds, Startup Wheel 2026 officially named three champions:

• Startup Wheel 2026 Champion – Vietnam Track: Viet Dynamic
• Startup Wheel 2026 Champion – International Track: Aqufish
• Vietnam Youth Startup Champion: Electroverse

Each title recognizes the journey and efforts of the participating teams. More than just an award, however, these achievements also mark a new milestone for the startups to further expand their connections, refine their models, and pursue new opportunities for growth.

Viet Dynamic – Startup Wheel 2026 Champion of the Vietnam Track

Viet Dynamic was officially crowned the Startup Wheel 2026 Champion of the Vietnam Track, following its journey through the program’s selection and pitching rounds.

Founded in 2018, Viet Dynamic operates in the fields of industrial robotics, automation, smart factories, and machine vision. The company focuses on developing AI-powered technology solutions aimed at simplifying access to robotics and automation, thereby enhancing production capabilities and business competitiveness.

Winning Startup Wheel 2026 marks a new milestone for Viet Dynamic as it continues to strengthen its capabilities, expand its network, and pursue new growth opportunities, with the ambition of bringing Vietnamese technology further into the transformation of the industrial sector.

Aqufish – Startup Wheel 2026 Champion of the International Track

Aqufish was crowned the Startup Wheel 2026 Champion of the International Track, bringing a technology-driven solution to the aquaculture industry.

The startup has developed AquMonitor, a solution combining AI and computer vision to support fish farmers through an “Aquaculture-as-a-Service” model. The solution aims to make aquaculture smarter, more efficient, and more profitable while contributing to sustainable development.

Aqufish’s victory further highlights the role of Startup Wheel 2026 in connecting technology solutions from different markets with the innovation ecosystem in Vietnam and the region.

Electroverse – Vietnam Youth Startup Champion 2026

Electroverse was crowned the Vietnam Youth Startup Champion 2026, with a vision to build an electronic education ecosystem for the younger generation.

Electroverse provides educational content, teaching curricula for educators, and advanced STEM engineering and technology kits for students aged 7 to 15. Its model aims to create greater opportunities for students to gain early exposure to knowledge and hands-on practice in science, technology, and engineering.

Electroverse’s victory demonstrates that entrepreneurship is not limited to creating a new product or business model. It can also begin with solutions that help equip the next generation with the knowledge and capabilities to shape the future.

The Value of Startup Wheel Goes Beyond the Winners

Speaking at the program, Ms. Nguyen Thi Dieu Hang – Head of the Startup Wheel Organizing Committee 2026 – shared her special emotions upon witnessing the participating teams step onto the stage after a long journey.

According to her, the fact that the Top 5 in the International Track represented five different countries is a testament to Startup Wheel’s growing scale and expanding reach.

However, what the Organizing Committee hopes to see goes beyond the names announced on stage. After 14 years, many projects that once participated in Startup Wheel, whether they won an award or did not make it to the Final Round, have continued to grow and develop. These journeys have also become an important part of the Startup Wheel community’s pride.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Dieu Hang – Head of the Startup Wheel Organizing Committee, shared: “Today, on this stage, some startups will have their names called, while others will not. I hope you will not be discouraged by that. I hope you will continue your journey and give your very best to your project, so that one day, we can also proudly place your logo on this screen.”

This message reflects a broader perspective on the value of Startup Wheel. While each edition may conclude with a number of startups being honored, the journey of the participating startups does not end with the competition results.

After 14 years, Startup Wheel continues to strive to create value beyond a single competition season – serving as a platform where startups can build new connections, access resources, and pursue long-term growth opportunities.

Startup Wheel 2026 and the Ecosystem of Partners

For a startup journey to go further, behind every startup lies not only an idea or a team, but also an ecosystem ready to support, connect, and create opportunities.

Startup Wheel 2026 sincerely acknowledges and extends its appreciation to the sponsors who placed their trust in and supported the program:

At the same time, Startup Wheel extends its sincere appreciation to more than 80 domestic and international partners, universities, clubs, startup support organizations, investors, experts, businesses, and members of the innovation ecosystem who contributed to this year’s journey.

The trust and support of sponsors, partners, and the wider community are essential to Startup Wheel’s continued efforts to build bridges connecting startups – technology – capital – experts – businesses – markets, contributing to greater opportunities for the next generation of innovative entrepreneurs in Vietnam and around the world.

About Startup Wheel

With 14 years of growth and development, Startup Wheel is a startup support and connection program that provides startups with opportunities to access networks of experts, investors, businesses, and organizations within the innovation ecosystem.

From a startup competition, Startup Wheel has gradually evolved into an internationally oriented platform in Vietnam, bringing together projects from the country and markets around the world while connecting startups with the resources they need to grow and scale.