Following the preliminary round, 20 innovative startup projects from the Enterprise and Student categories have officially secured their places in the final round of the Da Nang Innovation Startup Competition - SURF 2026, taking place on August 18. With diverse fields of innovation, strong technological components, and practical applicability, the projects are expected to deliver a series of impressive competitions at SURF 2026.
The Da Nang Department of Science and Technology has announced the 20 projects advancing to the SURF 2026 final round, comprising 10 projects in the Enterprise category and 10 projects in the Student category, following the preliminary round held on August 6 and 7.
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The final round will take place as part of the Da Nang Innovation Startup Festival – SURF 2026, from August 18 to 19 at the Furama Da Nang International Convention Palace. As a key activity of SURF 2026, the event aims to identify, select, and connect projects with strong potential for development, commercialization, and market expansion.
Diverse Ideas with a Strong Technology Focus
During the preliminary round, the projects were evaluated based on various criteria, including innovation, practical applicability, development potential, business models, team capabilities, resource mobilization capacity, and presentation skills before the judging panel.
The 20 projects selected for the final round demonstrate a wide range of ideas and approaches, covering fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, information technology, digital education, smart tourism, high-tech agriculture, financial technology, environmental technology, the Internet of Things (IoT), e-commerce, and solutions addressing everyday needs.
In the Enterprise category, the 10 finalists are: Mamibabi, Fihub, Mechiva, Bà Ba Hội, VN3T Smart Shrimp Farming System, Nann Đồng AGOIN, DiFlow, Solid Sky, Circular – Circular Waste Management, and SeLingo - An AI-Powered Visual English Learning Platform.
These projects clearly demonstrate the growing trend of applying technology to address specific market challenges. From AI-powered education and digital financial solutions to smart aquaculture and circular waste management, the ideas highlight how the startup community is increasingly focusing on technological innovation closely aligned with practical needs and commercialization potential.
Empowering Young Ideas
In the Student category, the 10 finalists are: DIA+, GlucoScent, Vietnam Heritage Visit, Terra Sentinel, Hanora, DocuMind, Augmented Reality Glasses for Communication Support for People with Hearing Impairments, VSign, EVIRA, and the Piper lolot Leaf Extract Project.
The participation of young projects in the final round not only adds diversity to the competition but also demonstrates the creative potential of students within Da Nang’s innovation and startup ecosystem.
Through SURF 2026, student teams have the opportunity to engage with experts, businesses, investors, and startup support organizations. It is also an opportunity for them to further refine their products, validate their business models, expand their networks, and gradually establish suitable development pathways.
Ready to Break Through at SURF 2026
Under the theme “An Era of Rising Forward – Pioneering Innovation,” SURF 2026 is not only a platform for startups to showcase their projects but also aims to create a space for connecting resources across Da Nang’s innovation ecosystem.
As part of the festival, a range of activities focusing on investment matchmaking, trade promotion, technology cooperation, business development experience sharing, and international market expansion will be organized, creating opportunities for projects to access the resources they need throughout their development journey.
In particular, the SURF 2026 final round will provide the 20 finalists with an opportunity to directly present their products, demonstrate their unique value propositions, business models, and development potential before the judging panel. This will also serve as an important opportunity for the teams to demonstrate their capabilities, seek partnerships, and attract resources and support.
The selection of 20 projects for the final round reflects the diversity and vitality of Da Nang’s innovation and startup movement. From AI and digital technologies to agriculture, environmental solutions, education, and everyday-life applications, each project brings its own distinctive approach, collectively contributing to a diverse picture of the city’s startup ecosystem.
With all 20 projects ready to compete, the SURF 2026 final round is expected to become a platform where innovative ideas are further challenged, connected, and elevated. Beyond identifying outstanding projects, the competition will also help discover promising teams, accelerate the commercialization of innovative ideas, and generate new momentum for Da Nang’s innovation and startup ecosystem as it enters a new stage of development.
