In an exciting fusion of aviation and innovation, Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet has launched Startup Flight, a dynamic competition designed to connect India and Vietnam’s burgeoning startup ecosystems. This visionary initiative opens doors for entrepreneurs across both countries, offering mentorship, prize incentives, and travel support to ignite cross-border collaboration. The program marks a fresh chapter in combining tourism, technology, and entrepreneurship.
A Flight Towards Innovation and Travel
Vietjet’s Startup Flight stands out by seamlessly weaving together business opportunity with travel access. Through the airline’s well-established network, participants will enjoy affordable round-trip flights linking India’s major startup cities—Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kochi—to Vietnam’s innovation centres in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. This connectivity enables entrepreneurs to move beyond borders with ease, blending networking, cultural exposure, and ecosystem immersion.
It’s this unique intersection of transport and innovation that gives Startup Flight a vital edge: participants don’t just get mentorship—they get a ticket.
Collaborative Wings: Trusted Partners
This initiative is co-founded by Vietjet in strategic collaboration with India’s Amity Innovation Incubator and Vietnam’s National Startup Support Center (NSSC).
- Amity Innovation Incubator, part of the esteemed Amity University network, brings a strong reputation in nurturing early-stage startups and facilitating India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- NSSC, operating under Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, leads the development of the country’s startup infrastructure by shaping supportive policies, offering innovation resources, and enabling international cooperation.
Together, these partners provide the program with academic rigor, governmental support, and entrepreneurial expertise—ensuring participants receive rounded, actionable guidance.
Who Can Apply & Key Focus Areas
Entrepreneurs from India and Vietnam, whether as individuals or part of small teams (up to three members), are invited to submit their startup proposals by September 15, 2025 via the official platform TheStartupFlight.vietjetair.com. Submissions are encouraged in four high-potential sectors:
- Software & Data / Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- E-commerce & Retail
- Education Technology (EdTech)
- Transportation & Logistics
These domains represent some of the fastest-growing verticals in both economies—making them ripe for innovation and cross-market collaboration.
What’s at Stake: Mentorship, Finales & Rewards
Once submissions close, eight finalist teams (two per category) will be selected based on the merit and potential of their ideas. These teams will be ushered into exclusive mentorship circles featuring leading business figures from both India and Vietnam. Mentors will offer strategic advice on scaling businesses internationally, navigating markets, and refining go-to-market plans.
The highlight of the initiative is a live Startup Flight finale, where finalists pitch directly to a panel of investors, accelerators, and potential partners—providing invaluable exposure and networking opportunities.
Winners from each category will be awarded:
- USD 1,000 in cash per winning team
- Round-trip flights courtesy of Vietjet between India and Vietnam
- Dedicated mentoring and networking sessions with industry leaders
- Enhanced visibility to investors and startup support networks
This prize package is thoughtfully structured to offer both tangible funding and strategic connections, setting the stage for market entry and growth beyond borders.
Broader Context: Tourism Meets Tech Diplomacy
India and Vietnam are rapidly emerging as critical nodes of global innovation. India, with its deep talent pool and mature startup communities, and Vietnam, with its accelerating digital economy and youthful ecosystem, present complementary strengths. Startup Flight aims to bridge those strengths—promoting business collaboration while facilitating travel and cultural exchange.
By filling seats on Vietjet’s flights with entrepreneurs instead of tourists, the initiative also reinforces tourism ties, showcasing Vietnam’s cities as innovation destinations. As more Indian and Vietnamese nationals travel for business and ecosystem immersion, they inevitably explore local cuisines, heritage sites, and lifestyles—deepening people-to-people connections.
A Forward-Looking Endeavor
Startup Flight is more than a contest—it’s a statement about how transportation, talent, and technology can converge for growth. Entrepreneurs will not only gain funding and mentorship—they will gain access to cross-border networks, dual markets, and multinational perspectives.
As Vietjet continues to expand flights between India and Southeast Asia, including its intent to increase Bengaluru–Ho Chi Minh City service to daily operations, the carrier strengthens the infrastructure that empowers Testbeds like Startup Flight become repeatable, scaleable, and lasting platforms. Participants walk away with clear advantages—a travel-enabled gateway, cross-country exposure, and investment readiness.
Startup Flight launches at an ideal moment: a world recovering from the pandemic, where aviation and innovation are key to economic revival. In providing flights, mentorship, and prizes, Vietjet has crafted a powerful vehicle for entrepreneurial transformation.
Take Flight
If you’re an entrepreneur with a scalable idea in AI, EdTech, e-commerce, or logistics—and you’re based in India or Vietnam—Startup Flight is your runway to new markets, resources, and opportunity. Submit your proposal by September 15, 2025, and prepare to take off.
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