SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATION · SOCIAL IMPACT

Lê Phước Tân

An emerging ecosystem builder supporting people and initiatives working towards the SDGs.

I'm Tân, an International Economics student at Foreign Trade University in Ho Chi Minh City. I work across programme coordination, stakeholder engagement and partnership support to help purposeful ideas access the people and resources they need.

Through InnoEx, I have supported plastic-circularity innovators and social-impact businesses, including the UNDP Plastics Innovation Programme. My experience with student communities and early-stage social startups keeps that work grounded in the needs of the people behind each initiative.

Programme coordinationPartnershipsCommunity engagement
Lê Phước Tân

My journey

Experience roadmap · 2024 → 2026

My path began with a cultural startup and grew through youth leadership, accessibility-focused work and ecosystem partnerships into supporting sustainability programmes. Follow the milestones from left to right.

2024 2025 2026 A growing focus on sustainability and social impact

  1. Dec 2024 – May 2025

    1

    Founder & Project Lead

    Vietnamese heritage-inspired art toys developed through Việt Ngoạn Ký.

    Building a purpose-led venture

    Việt Ngoạn Ký— Vietnamese Cultural Art Toys Startup

    Building a cultural startup taught me to listen to audiences and turn Vietnamese heritage into engaging art toys. It also showed me how much a young team depends on feedback, guidance and the right support.

    Cultural storytelling · Product development

    Read more ↗
  2. Jul 2025 – Jun 2026

    2

    Youth Leadership

    Youpreneur Launchpad 2025 · Information Day: Zero to One.

    Helping young founders develop

    E-HUB & Youpreneur Launchpad— Entrepreneurship Club & Youth Incubation Programme

    I brought that startup experience into E-HUB, leading a 30+ member student team. Through programmes including Youpreneur Launchpad, I helped create opportunities for young innovators to learn, meet mentors and develop their ideas.

    Team leadership · Learning opportunities

    Read more ↗
  3. Sep – Dec 2025

    3

    Partnership Executive

    Presenting 4D-BONDE at the Vietnam Social Innovation Challenge. Tân is on the left, holding the microphone.

    Deepening my focus on inclusion

    4D-BONDE— Assistive Technology Startup

    At 4D-BONDE, my focus expanded to accessibility. Supporting hospital and sponsor partnerships helped me understand how institutional collaboration can bring assistive technology closer to people with upper-limb disabilities.

    Accessibility · Social innovation

    Read more ↗
  4. Dec 2025 – Sep 2026

    4

    Partnership Internships

    With the InnoEx team at the InnoEx 2026 Announcement Day.

    Understanding the wider ecosystem

    BSSC & InnoEx— Startup Support Centre & Innovation Platform

    To better understand the support early-stage teams need, I took on startup assessment, ecosystem research and partner outreach at BSSC and InnoEx, connecting innovators with relevant organisations and opportunities.

    Ecosystem research · Partnership support

    Read more ↗
  5. Aug 2026

    5

    Programme Coordination

    With the UEH Green Campus innovation team at the UNDP Plastics Innovation Programme exhibition.

    Applying that experience to circularity

    UNDP Plastics Innovation Programme— Plastic Circularity Accelerator

    I applied those coordination and partnership skills to supporting 11 teams developing plastic-waste and circular-economy solutions, from expert engagement and programme delivery to Demo Day preparation and reporting.

    Circular innovation · Programme delivery

    Read more ↗
  6. 20 Aug 2026

    6

    Social Impact Business Engagement

    Impact Forum: Business Beyond Profit! · InnoEx, 20 August 2026.

    Connecting impact businesses with partners

    Impact Forum: Business Beyond Profit!— Social Impact Business Forum

    I extended that work to social-impact businesses: researching their needs, preparing showcases and coordinating stakeholders so they could communicate their social and environmental value and connect with potential partners.

    Impact businesses · Ecosystem connections

    Read more ↗

Arranged by when each experience began. Several roles overlap; the dates show how my work developed across them. Scroll or use the arrows to follow the journey.

Sustainability programmes

Programme coordination & impact support

Two detailed examples of my work at InnoEx: supporting plastic-circularity innovators and helping social-impact businesses engage with a wider ecosystem.

CASE STUDY 1UNDP Plastics Innovation Programme

UNDP

UNDP Plastics Innovation Programme— Acceleration Phase & Demo Day

Programme coordination and stakeholder engagement | InnoEx

The UNDP Plastics Innovation Programme supports innovation teams developing solutions related to plastic waste and the circular economy in Viet Nam. Its Acceleration Phase combines coaching, mentoring, specialised learning and ecosystem engagement to help teams strengthen their solutions and prepare for further development.

As part of my internship at InnoEx, I supported programme coordination and stakeholder engagement during the Acceleration Phase and Demo Day. My work focused on helping communication, follow-up and access to relevant support move forward for 11 participating teams.

SDG ALIGNMENT
SDG 12

Responsible consumption and production

SDG 17

Partnerships for the Goals

Innovation teams, partners and programme representatives at the UNDP Plastics Innovation Programme Demo Day 2026.

Programme at a glance

11innovation teams supported
50+coaching sessions across the programme
40+mentoring sessions across the programme
5specialised trainings across the programme

These figures describe programme scale and activities supported by the wider team. They are not sessions or trainings delivered by me alone.

Programme engagement

Supporting Ms. Ramla Khalidi, Resident Representative of UNDP in Viet Nam, during the programme exhibition visit at InnoEx.
With the UEH Green Campus team, presenting solutions to reduce single-use plastics on campus.
With the OCEAN-i team, whose initiative connects regenerative tourism and circular-economy solutions.
Meeting participating innovators and exploring their circularity solutions at the programme exhibition.

MY CONTRIBUTION / 1

Team communication and follow-up

I maintained communication with 11 innovation teams, followed up on their progress and helped identify support needs as they moved through the programme. On-site exchanges gave me a closer understanding of the teams and the challenges behind their solutions.

On-site coaching visit and exchange with an innovation team.
Meeting innovation teams and exploring their circularity solutions.

MY CONTRIBUTION / 2

Expert and mentor coordination

I identified and approached potential experts and mentors, coordinated their involvement and helped connect teams with relevant expertise. The work involved aligning needs, availability and communication so that mentoring could be useful to the participating innovators.

Online coordination during the Acceleration Phase.

MY CONTRIBUTION / 3

Programme delivery support

I supported the coordination of coaching, mentoring and specialised training activities, helping keep communication and follow-up moving among innovation teams, mentors and programme stakeholders. Clear preparation and consistent follow-through were central to this work.

Working sessions with programme participants.

MY CONTRIBUTION / 4

Investor and ecosystem research

I researched potential investors and funds, reached out to verify profile information where relevant, and developed an investor infographic. The aim was to give teams a clearer view of relevant funding opportunities and ecosystem actors.

MY CONTRIBUTION / 5

Demo Day and exhibition preparation

I supported the 11 teams with presentation, slide and exhibition preparation, helping them communicate their solutions, funding needs and partnership opportunities to investors and corporate partners. This included practical coordination around how the teams would present and engage at the event.

Connecting with innovation teams at the exhibition.
Solutions on display at InnoEx.

MY CONTRIBUTION / 6

Reporting and learning

I authored the Acceleration Phase report, drawing on programme outcomes and participant feedback. The report analysed team support and proposed improvements in investor matching and continued engagement after the programme.

Recognition of my contribution

Demo Day — Member of Coordination Team, InnoEx.
Recognition for supporting the top 11 innovations during the Acceleration Phase.

CASE STUDY 2Impact Forum · SIB Connect

UNDP

Impact Forum: Business Beyond Profit!— UNDP in Viet Nam × CanCham

SIB research, programme coordination and business-matching support | InnoEx

Impact Forum: Business Beyond Profit! brought Vietnamese Social Impact Businesses (SIBs) into conversation with stakeholders from business, investment, government and development organisations. Connected with UNDP in Viet Nam, CanCham, InnoEx and other partners, the forum explored how social and environmental impact can contribute to viable business growth.

A SIB combines business activity with a social or environmental purpose. Through outreach, showcase preparation and coordination, I helped participating businesses communicate their work and prepare to engage with potential buyers, investors and partners.

SDG ALIGNMENT
SDG 17

Partnerships for the Goals

Impact Forum: Business Beyond Profit! — InnoEx, 20 August 2026.

Forum at a glance

14Social Impact Businesses engaged
140+delegates at the forum
6sector areas in the programme framework

I coordinated showcase preparation with 10 presenting SIBs and 12 SIB exhibitors. These groups overlap and do not represent 22 distinct businesses. The figures describe programme scope.

SIX SECTOR AREAS / RESEARCH & SHOWCASE CONTEXT

  • Agri-food & food processing
  • Climate-smart agriculture & forestry
  • Clean technology
  • Blue economy
  • Life sciences
  • Digital technology & AI

MY CONTRIBUTION / 1

SIB ecosystem research

I researched and profiled Social Impact Businesses across six sector areas connected with the programme’s Canada–Viet Nam cooperation priorities. Understanding business models, impact profiles and sector relevance helped create a more structured basis for outreach, selection and business matching.

With forum participants and the organising team.

MY CONTRIBUTION / 2

Selection and participant preparation

As part of SIB Connect preparation, I supported assessment and application materials and the coordination of participant selection. Clear criteria helped connect a business’s impact profile, sector relevance and readiness with the programme’s objectives. I then helped businesses prepare their information, impact stories and collaboration needs for the forum and exhibition.

Organising team — Impact Forum 2026.

MY CONTRIBUTION / 3

Business-matching support

I supported matching arrangements and helped businesses prepare to meet potential buyers, investors and partners. The focus was on making opportunities for exchange more purposeful by understanding what businesses offered and the kinds of connections they were seeking.

UNDP remarks at Impact Forum, bringing social-impact business development into the wider programme discussion.

MY CONTRIBUTION / 4

Forum and exhibition coordination

I coordinated with 10 presenting businesses and 12 SIB exhibitors, and aligned programme requirements across UNDP, CanCham and internal teams. My contribution included participant communication, showcase preparation and follow-up around the programme’s practical needs.

Perspectives from international partners at the forum.

MY CONTRIBUTION / 5

Reporting and analysis

I authored the programme report, analysing SIB business cases and how social and environmental impact can contribute to competitiveness, market access and investment opportunities. Reporting helped turn the event experience into insights for continued ecosystem engagement.

Partnerships &
ecosystem building

InnoEx & BSSC

Partnership work runs through my experience. It has helped me understand stakeholder needs, prepare collaboration opportunities and follow through on the practical details that relationships require.

INNOEX INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION ALLIANCE

InnoEx— Innovation Platform Connecting Viet Nam with Global Partners

Community & Partnership Intern · Assistant to Community Manager

InnoEx brings Vietnamese startups and businesses into contact with investors, experts, public institutions and international organisations through its innovation programmes, exhibition and forum. My broader role involved partner sourcing, proposals and relationship coordination alongside programme delivery.

  • Partner research: Built and managed a database of 2,000+ corporate accounts, researching organisations and mapping their priorities and capabilities against InnoEx programmes and ecosystem activities.
  • Outreach and follow-up: Reached out to 1,000+ prospects, maintained communication and supported the development of relationships from initial interest through subsequent discussions.
  • Meetings and proposals: Helped facilitate approximately 40 B2B meetings and prepared tailored collaboration proposals based on partner needs, contributing to 10+ confirmed deals.
  • Partnership opportunities: Developed and refined approaches across exhibition, sponsorship and business-connection opportunities.
  • Relationship coordination: Supported personalised follow-up, meeting preparation and the practical details needed to keep conversations moving.
With the InnoEx team at the InnoEx 2026 Announcement Day
With Tu Bui, my supervisor and Community Manager at InnoEx.

These activities reflect wider partnership and business-development work. They are separate from the social or environmental outcomes of the sustainability programmes featured above.

With the InnoEx community

Behind the scenes with the InnoEx team.
The team behind InnoEx 2026.
Together at the InnoEx 2026 closing ceremony.

Recognition of my contribution

Certificate of Appreciation — Intern, InnoEx 2026.

BUSINESS STARTUP SUPPORT CENTER · DEC 2025 – MAR 2026

BSSC— Business Startup Support Center

Partnership Intern | BSSC

At BSSC, I supported startup-development programmes through research, assessment, targeted outreach and engagement with institutional partners. This gave me a wider view of the needs behind an early-stage venture, from business-model readiness to access to the right programme.

  • Startup assessment: Evaluated 50+ startups on business models, market traction and funding readiness to identify suitable programme and investment opportunities.
  • Ecosystem mapping: Built a database of 1,000+ startups, venture-capital organisations and other stakeholders to support StartupBlink’s mapping of Viet Nam’s startup ecosystem.
  • Programme recruitment: Recommended programmes based on startup needs, managed follow-up and supported 5 startups joining BSSC programmes.
  • Institutional engagement: Coordinated meetings involving Seoul Business Agency, the Québec Government Office, SNV Netherlands and Basque Trade & Investment Offices to explore cross-border collaboration opportunities.

THE SCOPE OF MY RESEARCH & SUPPORT

50+startups assessed
1,000+startups, VCs and stakeholders mapped
5startups onboarded into support programmes

Research → programme fit → outreach → follow-up

Youth leadership &
startup projects

Student communities · Accessibility · Cultural heritage

My experience also comes from student teams and early-stage ventures: organising opportunities for others, listening to users and learning how to take responsibility for a shared idea.

E-HUB FTU HCMC · JUL 2025 – JUN 2026

E-HUB— Entrepreneur & Startup Club

Head of Project Management | E-HUB Entrepreneur & Startup Club

Youpreneur Launchpad 2025 — Information Day: Zero to One.

At E-HUB, I led a team of 30+ members across three entrepreneurship programmes. The work involved coordinating workstreams, clarifying responsibilities and working with professionals and external partners to create practical learning opportunities for students.

  • Team coordination: Planned programme work with teammates, followed progress and helped keep responsibilities and delivery needs clear.
  • Partner engagement: Worked with industry professionals and sponsors to coordinate resources and improve programme delivery.
  • Learning opportunities: Helped create settings where students could explore ideas, receive feedback and learn from people with practical experience.
Together with E-HUB teammates.
30+team members led
3entrepreneurship programmes
1,500+combined programme engagements

The 1,500+ figure describes combined programme engagements, not a count of unique students personally managed.

UNIVERSITY STARTUP INCUBATION PROGRAMME

Youpreneur Launchpad— Youth Startup Incubation Programme

As an organiser, I supported a journey from applications through incubation and final pitching. I designed activities and content across three rounds and coordinated mentors, speakers and judges to support and assess participating projects.

The programme attracted 50+ project applications. Coordinating 40+ mentors, speakers and judges helped support the Top 10 teams through incubation and final pitch preparation.

My role combined programme preparation with participant and stakeholder communication: helping people understand what was needed and how they could contribute at each stage.

Việt Ngoạn Ký at Startup Fair.
Community and ecosystem engagement.

Recognition of my contribution

E-HUB · Leadership recognition
Youpreneur Launchpad 2026 · Organiser recognition

4D-BONDE · SOCIAL INNOVATION PROJECT · SEP – DEC 2025

4D-BONDE— Assistive Technology Startup

Partnership Executive | 4D-BONDE

4D-BONDE develops an assistive joint device for people with upper-limb disabilities. The project’s purpose is to make everyday activities more accessible and support greater independence.

My contribution centred on partnerships: identifying and approaching hospitals, NGOs and corporate sponsors that could help bring assistive technology to people who may benefit from it.

I established a partnership with Quy Hoa Hospital, identifying approximately 50 people with upper-limb disabilities affected by leprosy who could potentially benefit from the device. This figure describes people identified through that partnership, rather than a claim that all had received or used it.

I also worked on in-kind sponsorship support to help the team deliver the project. The experience showed me the potential of a purposeful solution and the importance of capacity, resources and institutional support.

Presenting 4D-BONDE at the Vietnam Social Innovation Challenge. Tân is on the left, holding the microphone.
SDG ALIGNMENT
SDG 3

Health and well-being

SDG 10

Inclusion and accessibility

Community visit at Bến Sắn Hospital.
4D-BONDE assistive products in use.
An assistive attachment used in an everyday activity.
Team preparation at the VSIC final.

Recognition of my contribution

Personal recognition as a member of the national champion team.

VIỆT NGOẠN KÝ · STUDENT VENTURE · DEC 2024 – MAY 2025

Việt Ngoạn Ký— Vietnamese Cultural Art Toys Startup

Founder & Project Lead | Việt Ngoạn Ký

Việt Ngoạn Ký — art toys inspired by Vietnamese cultural heritage.
SDG ALIGNMENT
SDG 11

Cultural heritage

I founded Việt Ngoạn Ký to bring Vietnamese history and cultural heritage closer to younger audiences through art toys and storytelling. The concept uses creative, tangible products to invite curiosity about local identity and cultural expression.

I led the project from concept to launch, defined the intended audience and communication approach, and refined the product through feedback. Working with a team and advisers helped me translate a cultural purpose into an experience that people could see, hold and discuss.

The project was a formative experience in product development, planning and teamwork. Its relevance here is the opportunity to make cultural heritage more approachable and to learn how an early-stage idea develops in practice.

Vietnamese heritage through art toys

Art toy and packaging — Việt Ngoạn Ký.
Cultural expression through character design.
A musical heritage-inspired character.
Illustrated storytelling cards.
At SV_STARTUP with school leadership and advisers.
With Dr. Lê Thị Xuân Sang, sustainable business adviser.

Recognition of my contribution

Ministry of Education and Training recognition — SV_STARTUP VII.
Second Runner-up — Kawai Business Startup 2025.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

Additional sustainability &
humanitarian activities

Plastics Circularity Innovation Challenge 2026

Programme and event support

PCIC is a nationwide challenge seeking solutions to plastic waste and circular-economy needs in Viet Nam. I supported and participated in activities bringing together Unilever Viet Nam, InnoEx and ecosystem partners around practical opportunities across the plastics value chain.

SDG ALIGNMENT
SDG 12

Circular production and consumption

With the team at the PCIC 2026 launch.

PCIC 2026 in pictures

With Ms. Nguyễn Thị Bích Vân, Country General Manager of Unilever Viet Nam, at PCIC 2026.
Delegates at the Plastics Circularity Kick-off Day.
PCIC 2026 — circularity innovation.

Humanitarian Logistics Hackathon 2026

Organising committee member

Co-organised by Kühne Logistics University, InnoEx and the Ho Chi Minh City Student Union, the hackathon challenges high-school and university students to develop supply-chain solutions for disaster relief and emergency response. I supported a learning environment where young people could apply innovation to humanitarian needs.

SDG ALIGNMENT
SDG 4

Learning and opportunity

At the Humanitarian Logistics Hackathon 2026.

Youth in humanitarian innovation

Organising Committee — Lê Phước Tân.
Students engaging in humanitarian innovation.
Participants and organisers at the award ceremony.

Future direction

Deepening my work in sustainable development

I want to become an ecosystem builder who helps locally grounded solutions access the partnerships, knowledge and long-term support they need.

Working with innovators has shown me that a promising solution needs more than an introduction or a showcase. It needs sustained follow-up, a clear understanding of community needs and partners who can help turn learning into implementation.

I believe economic resilience and social value can strengthen one another when people and environmental needs remain central to how a venture develops.
CONTINUE

Support impact-driven teams

Build on my programme and partnership work at InnoEx, helping sustainability initiatives find relevant mentors, collaborators and opportunities to test and strengthen their solutions.

DEEPEN

Learn across sustainability challenges

Develop stronger skills in programme design, impact assessment and cross-sector collaboration. I am especially interested in clean-energy innovation and how Vietnamese SMEs can pilot and scale practical solutions.

CONTRIBUTE

Connect local priorities with global development

In the longer term, I aspire to work with a global development agency, supporting inclusive innovation and helping local teams access expertise and partnerships that serve their communities.

CONTACT

Let’s connect.

I welcome conversations about sustainability innovation, social-impact initiatives and opportunities to support the people behind them.

Lê Phước Tân
Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam