ECON 1010 Shark Tank + Hackathon Challenge
VinUniversity – Introduction to Microeconomics (ECON 1010)
Professor Daniel Barkley
Overview of Track A and Track B
Students may choose between two high-impact project pathways. Track A is the traditional
Shark Tank Startup Challenge for teams that want to build a profitable business idea using
microeconomic tools such as pricing, demand analysis, competition, costs, and valuation.
Track B is the Shark Tank + Asian Hackathon Challenge for teams that want to combine
entrepreneurship with sustainability, innovation, and external competition opportunities.
Track B projects should address real-world environmental or development challenges such
as renewable energy, low-carbon mobility, water systems, climate resilience, or circular
economy solutions. Both tracks require students to think like economists, communicate
professionally, and build solutions with real market potential.
Track Options
Track A — Shark Tank Startup Challenge (Maximum 3 students)
Track B - Track B — Shark Tank + Asian Hackathon Challenge (Maximum 4 students)
Required for Both Tracks
Written Proposal
PowerPoint Pitch Deck
Live Shark Tank Presentation
Q&A Defense
Important Dates: Both Tracks
May 23, 2026: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Monday morning section)
May 23, 2026: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM (Monday afternoon section)
May 30, 2026: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Tuesday morning section)
May 30, 2026: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Wednesday morning section)
Written Proposal (Both Tracks) Due: Friday, June 5, 2026
Final Exams: June 22, June 23, June 24, 2026 (TBC)
Asian Hackathon Challenge Dates
Participants will advance through three main stages: Registration & Preliminary (April 6 –
May 17, 2026); Online Training Round (June 2 – June 28, 2026); and Final Round &
Hackathon at VinUniversity (July 2 – July 5, 2026, tentative).
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VinUniversity – Introduction to Microeconomics (ECON 1010)
Professor Daniel Barkley
Overview of Track A and Track B
Students may choose between two high-impact project pathways. Track A is the traditional
Shark Tank Startup Challenge for teams that want to build a profitable business idea using
microeconomic tools such as pricing, demand analysis, competition, costs, and valuation.
Track B is the Shark Tank + Asian Hackathon Challenge for teams that want to combine
entrepreneurship with sustainability, innovation, and external competition opportunities.
Track B projects should address real-world environmental or development challenges such
as renewable energy, low-carbon mobility, water systems, climate resilience, or circular
economy solutions. Both tracks require students to think like economists, communicate
professionally, and build solutions with real market potential.
Track Options
Track A — Shark Tank Startup Challenge (Maximum 3 students)
Track B - Track B — Shark Tank + Asian Hackathon Challenge (Maximum 4 students)
Required for Both Tracks
Written Proposal
PowerPoint Pitch Deck
Live Shark Tank Presentation
Q&A Defense
Important Dates: Both Tracks
May 23, 2026: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Monday morning section)
May 23, 2026: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM (Monday afternoon section)
May 30, 2026: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Tuesday morning section)
May 30, 2026: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Wednesday morning section)
Written Proposal (Both Tracks) Due: Friday, June 5, 2026
Final Exams: June 22, June 23, June 24, 2026 (TBC)
Asian Hackathon Challenge Dates
Participants will advance through three main stages: Registration & Preliminary (April 6 –
May 17, 2026); Online Training Round (June 2 – June 28, 2026); and Final Round &
Hackathon at VinUniversity (July 2 – July 5, 2026, tentative).
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