HCM CITY — Two Vietnamese startups, Selfomy and Volterra, have secured fully sponsored places in a cross-border incubation programme at BLOCK71 Singapore after emerging as winners at the UniVentures Global Launch Day in HCM City on June 25.

Selected from the programme's top 10 startups, the two teams will join a three-month incubation programme at BLOCK71 Singapore, gaining access to the National University of Singapore (NUS) Enterprise's global network of mentors, investors, corporate partners and one of Asia's leading startup ecosystems.

Selfomy has developed an AI-powered learning platform that helps language centres attract new learners while reducing operating costs. Founded by alumni of the University of London and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy HCM City, the platform now serves more than 5,000 active users.

During the event, the startup also signed a memorandum of understanding with Wellspring International Bilingual School to expand the application of AI in language teaching.

Volterra, is an energy technology startup founded by scientists, VinUniversity students and entrepreneurs.

The startup is developing a multi-layer electric vehicle charging infrastructure that integrates grid power, renewable energy sources, battery energy storage systems and an AI-powered energy optimisation platform.

By 2030, it aims to transform 30,000 conventional charging stations into smart charging hubs while expanding renewable energy generation and storage capacity.

BLOCK71 Vietnam also presented its Emerging Startup Award to BioWraps, recognising the startup's progress and commercial potential.

BioWraps, which converts agricultural by-products into biodegradable packaging, will receive financial support to participate in incubation activities in Singapore.

BioWraps has processed more than 35 tonnes of fruit waste and established commercial partnerships in India and South Korea through the UniVentures programme.

UniVentures is a Global Accelerator Programme led by BLOCK71 Vietnam of National University of Singapore, with support from Temasek Foundation. The programme aims to help students, researchers, alumni and lecturers transform research and innovative ideas into scalable businesses.

Launched in 2025 as part of Vietnam-Singapore innovation cooperation, UniVentures attracted nearly 1,500 applications from founders representing more than 80 universities nationwide.

Over a nine-week acceleration programme, the top 10 startups received mentoring, founder training and expert support in product development, AI adoption, fundraising, venture building and investment readiness.

Speaking at the event, Edward Lim, Country Director of NUS Enterprise and BLOCK71 Vietnam, said: “For a long time, the talent inside Việt Nam's universities has been abundant. What has been missing are the pathways to turn that talent into ventures that can stand on a regional, and eventually a global, stage.”

He added that UniVentures' lasting value lies in building a bridge between Việt Nam's universities and the wider regional innovation ecosystem, giving founders early access to mentorship, funding and markets.

The event also saw BLOCK71 Vietnam sign a strategic partnership with Văn Lang University to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship, while several participating startups announced new agreements with corporate partners to accelerate commercialisation. — BIZHUB