InnovationLeaders

Nine Vietnamese scientists have been officially selected by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) to join LIF Global 2026 – Leaders in Innovation Fellowships. This marks the second consecutive year that KisStartup serves as the national partner of the programme, and the 10th year Vietnam has participated in this prestigious global initiative.

LIF Global – A rare opportunity for scientists to step out of the laboratory

LIF Global focuses on building entrepreneurial capacity, providing mentorship, and expanding networks for scientists who possess research outcomes with prototypes and strong commercialization potential.
Over 8 months, participants engage in approximately 20 days of online training with international experts and 14 days in the United Kingdom, immersing themselves in one of the world’s leading innovation and startup ecosystems.

What makes LIF Global unique is that it:

    •    Does not require equity or intellectual property rights,
    •    Covers almost all participation costs,
    •    Helps scientists not only “bring research to market” but also build sustainable, environmentally responsible, and socially meaningful business models.

In 2025, ten Vietnamese scientists were selected for the programme. Seven of them travelled to the UK and returned with concrete outcomes: expanded international networks, invitations to open overseas branches, investment opportunities, additional operational funding, and well-defined next steps for commercialization and global market expansion.

Building on that foundation, the selection of nine Vietnamese scientists for LIF Global 2026 once again highlights the quality and depth of Vietnam’s research community—especially in biotechnology, climate-smart agriculture, biomedical science, road safety, and climate data services.

Congratulations and Expectations
KisStartup proudly congratulates:
    •    Luu Nguyen Phu Thuong – Van Lang University
    •    Anh Tuan Tran – Lemit Foods
    •    Mai Linh Dinh – Hanoi University of Science and Technology
    •    TRAN TU – Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology
    •    Phuong-Thao Tran – Hanoi University of Pharmacy
    •    Hoang Nguyen – University of Science, VNU-HCM
    •    Hieu Tran-Van – University of Science, VNU-HCM
    •    Thi Mai Huong To – University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH)
    •    Thi Kim Cuc Nguyen – Thuyloi University

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About the LIF Programme
The Leaders in Innovation Fellowships (LIF), run by the Royal Academy of Engineering, supports talented entrepreneurs in transforming engineering innovations into sustainable businesses that tackle environmental, economic, and social challenges. The programme equips entrepreneurs with startup and growth skills, facilitates investment readiness, and connects them to a global network of researchers, investors, and industry leaders.
The programme charges no fees and requires no equity or intellectual property rights.

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About KisStartup
KisStartup is a pioneer in Vietnam in the commercialization of scientific research, connecting scientists, businesses, and international organizations. Since 2025, KisStartup has partnered with the Royal Academy of Engineering to advance the LIF Global programme in Vietnam. In 2025, ten Vietnamese projects were selected, with seven successfully completing the programme.
We are committed to serving as an effective bridge between Vietnamese scientists and the UK innovation ecosystem, helping elevate Vietnam’s research commercialization to the international stage.

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LIF Programme Contact in Vietnam
Email: hello@kisstartup.com | minh@kisstartup.com | phong.kisstartup@gmail.com
Hotline: +84 879 300 303 (Mr. Phong)

1. Anh Tuan Tran – Lemit Foods
Lemit Foods: Upcycled Protein – The Net-Zero Jackfruit Solution
Lemit tackles the problem of 382,500 tons of unripe jackfruit wasted annually and the rising demand for sustainable protein by creating an “Upcycled Protein” platform. Their solution turns unripe jackfruit into fermented jackfruit powder for B2B applications and ready-to-cook B2C product lines. The model both reduces emissions (by 60–90% compared to meat) and increases farmers’ income by 20–25%, while aiming to build a real-time MRV (measurement–reporting–verification) system for carbon impact.
LIF Global will support Lemit in refining its international expansion strategy, positioning within global alternative-protein supply chains, and forming partnerships with major food manufacturers—where net-zero commitments, inclusive business models, and impact data become competitive advantages.

2. Mai Linh Dinh – Hanoi University of Science and Technology
BioGel Solus – Edible Hydrogel Coating from Banana Trunks
BioGel Solus transforms banana trunks—typically considered agricultural “waste”—into biodegradable, edible hydrogel films that coat fruit and extend shelf life by up to two times, reducing post-harvest loss at low cost. Production residue becomes slow-release fertilizer, forming a truly zero-waste model.
The commercial potential lies in the multi-billion-dollar markets of post-harvest solutions and biomaterials. The product targets smallholder farmers and export-oriented supply chains—where extended shelf life, reduced plastic use, and improved income are all critical. BioGel is a strong example of how green material technology can directly support agriculture and food security.

3. Thi Kim Cuc Nguyen – Thuyloi University
Koji Technology – Koji Fermentation for Specialty Coffee and Circular Economy
Thi Kim Cuc Nguyen’s Koji fermentation solution uses Aspergillus oryzae to elevate coffee flavor—producing notes of chocolate, peach, and apple, and increasing SCA scores by around 10%. The process also generates valuable byproducts such as kombucha and compost, minimizing waste. The project already has a patent application, has been presented at VAST, and has been tested with farmers—many of whom are ethnic minority women.
The potential of Koji Technology goes beyond better-tasting coffee. It lies in building an inclusive specialty coffee value chain where farmers capture more value from each coffee cherry, women are economically empowered, and SDG goals 1, 3, 5, and 12 are embedded in a meaningful way.

4. Hoang Nguyen – University of Science, VNU-HCM
CymbionX – Beneficial Microorganisms & Biostimulants from Food Waste
CymbionX combines mycorrhizal fungi and biostimulants extracted from food waste to create a microbial formula with highly infective AMF spores of micrometer size. The product is easy to apply through liquid solutions, drone spraying, or drip irrigation.
Amid rising chemical fertilizer costs and increasing pressure to reduce agricultural emissions, CymbionX offers a new class of biological agriculture solution: improving plant and soil health, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers, and enabling access to demanding markets like North America and Europe—where microbial products linked with emissions data and soil-health metrics are in high demand.

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About the LIF Programme
The Leaders in Innovation Fellowships (LIF), run by the Royal Academy of Engineering, supports talented entrepreneurs in transforming engineering innovations into sustainable businesses that tackle environmental, economic, and social challenges. The programme equips entrepreneurs with startup and growth skills, facilitates investment readiness, and connects them to a global network of researchers, investors, and industry leaders.
The programme charges no fees and requires no equity or intellectual property rights.

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About KisStartup
KisStartup is a pioneer in Vietnam in the commercialization of scientific research, connecting scientists, businesses, and international organizations. Since 2025, KisStartup has partnered with the Royal Academy of Engineering to advance the LIF Global programme in Vietnam. In 2025, ten Vietnamese projects were selected, with seven successfully completing the programme.
We are committed to serving as an effective bridge between Vietnamese scientists and the UK innovation ecosystem, helping elevate Vietnam’s research commercialization to the international stage.

---

LIF Programme Contact in Vietnam
Email: hello@kisstartup.com | minh@kisstartup.com | phong.kisstartup@gmail.com
Hotline: +84 879 300 303 (Mr. Phong)

Nine Vietnamese scientists have been officially selected by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) to join LIF Global 2026 – Leaders in Innovation Fellowships. This marks the second consecutive year that KisStartup serves as the national partner of the programme, and the 10th year Vietnam has participated in this prestigious global initiative.

LIF Global – A rare opportunity for scientists to step out of the laboratory

LIF Global focuses on building entrepreneurial capacity, providing mentorship, and expanding networks for scientists who possess research outcomes with prototypes and strong commercialization potential.

Over 8 months, participants engage in approximately 20 days of online training with international experts and 14 days in the United Kingdom, immersing themselves in one of the world’s leading innovation and startup ecosystems.

What makes LIF Global unique is that it:

• Does not require equity or intellectual property rights,

• Covers almost all participation costs,

• Helps scientists not only “bring research to market” but also build sustainable, environmentally responsible, and socially meaningful business models.

In 2025, ten Vietnamese scientists were selected for the programme. Seven of them travelled to the UK and returned with concrete outcomes: expanded international networks, invitations to open overseas branches, investment opportunities, additional operational funding, and well-defined next steps for commercialization and global market expansion.

Building on that foundation, the selection of nine Vietnamese scientists for LIF Global 2026 once again highlights the quality and depth of Vietnam’s research community—especially in biotechnology, climate-smart agriculture, biomedical science, road safety, and climate data services.

Congratulations and Expectations

KisStartup proudly congratulates:

• Luu Nguyen Phu Thuong – Van Lang University

• Anh Tuan Tran – Lemit Foods

• Mai Linh Dinh – Hanoi University of Science and Technology

• TRAN TU – Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

• Phuong-Thao Tran – Hanoi University of Pharmacy

• Hoang Nguyen – University of Science, VNU-HCM

• Hieu Tran-Van – University of Science, VNU-HCM

• Thi Mai Huong To – University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH)

• Thi Kim Cuc Nguyen – Thuyloi University

---

About the LIF Programme

The Leaders in Innovation Fellowships (LIF), run by the Royal Academy of Engineering, supports talented entrepreneurs in transforming engineering innovations into sustainable businesses that tackle environmental, economic, and social challenges. The programme equips entrepreneurs with startup and growth skills, facilitates investment readiness, and connects them to a global network of researchers, investors, and industry leaders.

The programme charges no fees and requires no equity or intellectual property rights.

---

About KisStartup

KisStartup is a pioneer in Vietnam in the commercialization of scientific research, connecting scientists, businesses, and international organizations. Since 2025, KisStartup has partnered with the Royal Academy of Engineering to advance the LIF Global programme in Vietnam. In 2025, ten Vietnamese projects were selected, with seven successfully completing the programme.

We are committed to serving as an effective bridge between Vietnamese scientists and the UK innovation ecosystem, helping elevate Vietnam’s research commercialization to the international stage.

---

LIF Programme Contact in Vietnam

Email: hello@kisstartup.com | minh@kisstartup.com | phong.kisstartup@gmail.com

Hotline: +84 879 300 303 (Mr. Phong)

 

Ten years of working with startups, universities, and businesses have given us a clearer view of the gap between smart technological ideas and meeting real-world needs. We have witnessed the struggles and uncertainties of scientists along this path.

Through technology-scouting projects for corporations and enterprises, we identified a key issue: although Vietnamese scientists possess strong research foundations and the ability to develop advanced technologies, the commercialization of these technologies into practical market-ready products often lacks the right orientation. The main reason lies in limited experience applying technology to production, building viable business strategies, and understanding customer needs. These are essential factors in turning research into useful solutions that can compete with existing products.

The core issue is the lack of connection.

Within Vietnam’s startup ecosystem, KisStartup believes innovation struggles to thrive when confined to narrow frameworks without strong community linkages. The world is facing major environmental, economic, and social challenges, and solutions cannot come from a single country or region alone. Connecting with and learning from global technology hubs and innovation platforms is critical to enable Vietnamese researchers to access advanced methods, technologies, and models. This, in turn, helps refine and expand their solutions, effectively addressing local problems while gradually creating opportunities for Vietnamese technologies to reach international markets with shared characteristics.

LIF Global: Why We Became the National Partner of the Royal Academy of Engineering

We chose to join the Leaders in Innovation Fellowships (LIF) program for three main reasons:

• The program functions like a comprehensive commercialization accelerator, enabling scientists to fully focus on developing their ideas.

• The Royal Academy of Engineering’s network opens doors to experts, investors, and leading policymakers.

• With over 1,500 alumni worldwide, LIF offers a global community and ecosystem that, if leveraged, provides powerful mutual support.

What impressed us most is LIF Global’s emphasis on developing scientists’ business mindset and entrepreneurial skills, guiding them to find pathways for technical solutions to address real-world challenges. When learning about UK innovations in sustainable production and circular economy models, we saw their potential application for Vietnam’s small and medium enterprises—a business segment common across developing countries.

The program also encourages women’s participation, aligning with our philosophy of inclusive innovation. We believe diversity of perspectives leads to more effective and creative solutions.

Lessons from LIF Global 2025

In 2025, ten Vietnamese projects were selected for LIF Global, and seven scientists successfully completed training in the UK. This result demonstrates the systemic potential of international collaboration that we have been building.

Upon returning to Vietnam, these scientists brought not only technical expertise but also new methods, fresh perspectives, and essential networks. These resources will help them implement and refine projects locally, delivering real-world impact.

However, successful technology transfer still requires deep understanding of local contexts. While UK approaches are effective, applying them in Vietnam demands knowledge of customer needs, legal frameworks, and cultural factors. This is where KisStartup’s long-standing experience becomes the key to bridging international innovations with local realities.

These seven scientists have become ambassadors of Vietnam’s innovation capacity, not only for their own projects but also for the broader research community. Their stories create ripple effects, inspiring more researchers to pursue international collaboration opportunities.

That is why continuing to support LIF Global 2026 is a long-term strategy for KisStartup, built on our deep understanding of the innovation ecosystem. We believe sustainable social impact comes not just from funding projects, but from equipping scientists with professional capacity and deep strategic thinking.

KisStartup recognizes that the journey of innovation does not end with initial achievements. Therefore, we are committed to supporting projects during and even after the program—helping refine business models, craft market-entry strategies, and ensure that innovations not only bloom but grow sustainably. This is our promise to Vietnam’s scientific community: to stand alongside them not only at the starting line of entrepreneurship but throughout their long journey of building the future.

In 2021, Ms. Nguyen Đang Tuan Minh, Founder of KisStartup, was a member of LIF7 and a direct beneficiary of the program. Four years later, KisStartup has used its resources to fund and implement one of the world’s most prestigious commercialization programs. This is not only proof of our ecosystem-connecting capacity but also a statement of our commitment to proactively advancing the international commercialization of Vietnam’s research. With the ambition of bringing Vietnamese technology and intelligence beyond national borders, KisStartup will continue striving so that more global markets carry the imprint of Vietnam—using technology to tackle grand global challenges and contribute to the development of society at large.