Here, young "Founders" aged 15-18 will directly present business models applying AI and defend ideas before a jury gathering international experts from McKinsey & Company, Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore), Techcombank, Foreign Trade University and WeAngels Innovation Capital.
The NextX - Business AI Arena is within the framework of the "Program for Building Thinking & Leadership Spirit for the Next Generation", specifically designed for Techcombank Private and Priority member customers.
Real-world challenges for young "founders
This year's projects span many fields such as education, health, environment, financial services and digital transformation... However, the challenge in the final round is not only in building a project, an AI application product, but also in the ability to prove the value of an idea before questions very close to business reality: what problem is being solved, does the market really need it, can it be commercialized and expanded?
For a comprehensive assessment, the judging panel represents five perspectives that a startup project usually has to overcome to survive in the market: technology, business strategy, management, development potential and attractiveness to investors.
In which, Mr. Damien Joseph - Associate Professor of Information Technology at Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) - the world's No. 1 University in Artificial Intelligence according to ShanghaiRanking's GRAS ranking, will evaluate the logic, applicability and practical value of the solutions.
In terms of business strategy, Ms. Janice Koh, Managing Director and Co-Leader of CEO Excellence Center at McKinsey & Company, the world's No. 1 strategic consulting firm in terms of prestige and influence according to Vault Rankings, will bring a perspective from consulting experience to CEOs and businesses undergoing transformation to assess the level of market suitability, scalability and long-term development potential of each project.
Meanwhile, Dr. Pham Hy Hieu, Director of Artificial Intelligence Transformation Division of Techcombank, an expert who used to work at Google Brain, OpenAI and xAI, will focus on evaluating how candidates use AI to solve problems correctly and create practical value, instead of just focusing on the complexity of technology.
The Council also includes Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thai Phong, Rector of Business School, Foreign Trade University, with more than 25 years of experience in strategic management and innovation; along with Dr. Ana Le My Nga, Founder and Chairman of WeAngels Innovation Capital, investor and expert who has accompanied many domestic and international startup programs.
From heirs to generations creating value
In the context of AI changing the way businesses compete, the requirements for the next generation are no longer limited to taking over existing achievements. What is increasingly important is the ability to discover new opportunities, lead innovation and continue to create value.
With that orientation, The NextX is built for students to experience the role of founder and future leader. Before coming to the final round, the contestants have gone through a process of in-depth training and practice with 18 modules, 118 lessons, 13 online seminars, 5 live seminars.
The program also takes students to practical experiences at leading businesses such as FPT Software, VNG Group, One Mount Group, Techcombank, and connects them with more than 40 speakers, mentors, technology founders and business leaders.
Each stage is designed to narrow the gap between a potential idea and a solution that can create practical value. This process also helps students better understand their strengths, interests and future career choices.
Through The NextX - Business AI Arena, Techcombank continues to expand the concept of privileges for Private and Priority customers. In addition to financial and asset management solutions, the bank aims to accompany families in preparing thinking, bravery and capacity to create value for the next generation. The successor generation not only decides the future of each family or business but also contributes to creating the competitiveness and innovation capacity of the Vietnamese economy.
This orientation is also associated with Techcombank's long-term investment journey in technology, AI application and talent development in this field.
In recent years, Techcombank has continuously recruited experts from major technology and financial centers such as Singapore, England (London), America (Los Angeles, San Francisco), France (Paris) and Hong Kong (China)...
In 2026, the Bank will continue to co-organize and exclusively sponsor "AI Thực Chiến" season 2 - a national program directed by the Ministry of Public Security; Dr. Pham Hy Hieu also participates in the Program's Judging Panel.
