December 12, 2025
The Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge (QVIC) officially returns with its 2026 edition, marking an important milestone in its mission to nurture and advance Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem.
While previous editions primarily focused on technology startups, QVIC 2026 expands its scope to include researchers, research teams, and university-based R&D projects nationwide. This marks the first time that academic research projects are invited to participate more deeply in a high-impact innovation challenge, bridging research with market needs, enterprises, and the broader technology ecosystem.
Building on the success of previous editions, InnoEx continues to accompany QVIC 2026 as the program’s implementation partner.
With extensive experience in delivering national-scale innovation programs and strong multi-layered ecosystem engagement, InnoEx will work closely with the Organizing Committee to:
- Implement program operations and communications
- Support outreach to startups, researchers, and universities
- Accompany participating projects throughout the QVIC journey
InnoEx’s continued partnership helps ensure consistency, depth, and effective execution across QVIC editions, while expanding the program’s impact to new stakeholders within the innovation ecosystem.
Expanding Participation – Bringing Research Closer to Real-World Impact
The expansion of eligible participants reflects QVIC 2026’s new strategic direction:
- Promoting technology transfer from laboratories to the market
- Building pathways between academia, industry, and the innovation ecosystem
- Encouraging research with commercialization potential and socio-economic impact
Participating research projects will have opportunities to:
- Receive support for technology development and commercialization, helping research outcomes move closer to real-world applications
- Access mentorship, intellectual property training, and facilities from Qualcomm and trusted partners
- Compete for funding and prizes totaling up to USD 410,000
Connect with enterprises, investors, and international innovation networks, expanding collaboration and deployment opportunities
A New Opportunity for University Research Projects in Innovation
To help research teams better understand the program, QVIC 2026 organized a dedicated Info Session for university research projects on December 11.
During the session, program representatives:
- Introduced the overall structure of QVIC 2026 and the University R&D Projects track
- Clarified selection criteria, application procedures, and the participation roadmap
- Addressed questions related to applicability, intellectual property, and post-program development opportunities
The Info Session attracted over 70 participants, including lecturers, researchers, and scientists from more than 30 universities, institutes, and academies across Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. These institutions are actively developing applied technology research in areas such as AI, IoT, robotics, and smart manufacturing, highlighting the growing demand for pathways linking research, innovation, and market adoption within the academic community.
📌 QVIC 2026 is now open for applications, welcoming both technology startups and university-based research projects.
Application deadline: December 31, 2025.
This is the moment for promising ideas and research projects to step beyond academic boundaries, move closer to real-world application, and create long-term value for society.
About QVIC
Launched in December 2019, the Qualcomm® Vietnam Innovation Challenge is an annual program supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, aimed at identifying and nurturing startups and small-to-medium enterprises developing innovative technologies in areas such as 5G, IoT, artificial intelligence, smart cities, wearables, and multimedia, built on Qualcomm® mobile platforms and technologies.
The program welcomes eligible startups and teams. Following the selection process, 10 outstanding projects receive financial support and participate in a multi-month technical and business incubation program. Three winning teams are awarded cash prizes and post-program support from Qualcomm Technologies.
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm continues to innovate to deliver intelligent computing everywhere, helping to solve the world’s most important challenges. With more than 40 years of technology leadership and breakthrough innovations, Qualcomm provides a broad portfolio of solutions built on advanced AI, high-performance and energy-efficient computing, and best-in-class connectivity.
Snapdragon® platforms deliver extraordinary consumer experiences, while Qualcomm Dragonwing™ products help enterprises and industries scale and reach new heights. Together with ecosystem partners, Qualcomm drives the next generation of digital transformation to enhance lives, strengthen businesses, and advance society. At Qualcomm, we engineer human progress.
Qualcomm Incorporated includes the patent licensing business (QTL) and the majority of its patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, along with its subsidiaries, operates substantially all of the company’s engineering, research and development, and product and services businesses, including its semiconductor business (QCT). Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm patents are licensed by Qualcomm Incorporated.
