--- title: "Creative DNA Hackathon 2026 Recap | Takara" description: "Representing VCIPLA and Takara/Sotafi, Founder Ms. Amy Nguyen mentored and judged at RMIT Vietnam's Creative Economy Initiative Hackathon 2026." url: https://takarahq.com/events/creative-dna-hackathon-2026 lang: en last_updated: 2026-11-06 publisher: "Takara Corporation JSC (takarahq.com)" --- [All Events & CSR](https://takarahq.com/events) Innovation & Mentorship RMIT Vietnam · CEI 2026 Champion Team at Creative DNA Hackathon 2026 - RMIT Vietnam Champion Showcase · RMIT Saigon South Campus Community & CSR IP Mentorship & Jury 6 min read 28 August 2026 # Creative DNA Hackathon 2026: Bridging Local Storytelling, IP Licensing, and Global Manufacturing Initiative Host RMIT Vietnam & Project Pluto School of Communication & Design Cohort Scale 40 Finalists · 6 Academies Across Vietnam, Malaysia & Singapore Takara's Role Mentor & Official Juror Ms. Amy Nguyen representing VCIPLA Creative Focus IP Licensing to Prototype Character art-toys, plush & board games As Southeast Asia's creative economy expands, empowering next-generation IP creators requires a holistic bridge between local storytelling, intellectual property licensing frameworks, and scalable manufacturing standards. 01 · Regional Talent & University Initiative ## Bridging Design Education with Industrial Realities At [RMIT University Vietnam’s Saigon South campus](https://www.rmit.edu.vn/news/all-news/2026/aug/creative-hackathon-showcases-new-model-for-creative-talent-development) , the Creative DNA Hackathon 2026 concluded an intensive multi-day program bringing together 40 emerging student creators from six leading art and design institutions across Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore: DASEIN Academy of Art (Malaysia), Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Singapore), RMIT University Vietnam, Design Anthropology School, HUTECH University, and Ho Chi Minh University of Fine Arts. Representing VCIPLA (Vietnam Creative Intellectual Property & Licensing Association) alongside the Takara / Sotafi manufacturing ecosystem, Founder Ms. Amy Nguyen actively mentored cohort teams and served on the official 7-member industry jury board. Official University Coverage Read RMIT’s official event feature:["Creative hackathon showcases new model for creative talent development"](https://www.rmit.edu.vn/news/all-news/2026/aug/creative-hackathon-showcases-new-model-for-creative-talent-development) Far beyond a standard classroom competition, the hackathon confronted a decisive commercial question: how can regional cultural narratives and authentic community lore transform into bankable, legally defensible, and factory-viable intellectual property? Student team pitching The Chess Town concept before the jury board A student team pitches an original character IP concept inspired by local Vietnamese street chess traditions and alley culture to the jury panel. (Photo: RMIT / Takara) 02 · Live Pitch Deliberations & Jury Feedback ## Turning 2D Concept Art into Factory-Ready Specifications Throughout the pitch sessions - evaluating projects ranging from _The Chess Town (Phường Bàn Cờ)_ celebrating street chess traditions in Saigon’s vibrant alleyways, to contemporary art-toy concepts marrying folk archetypes with blind-box culture - the jury offered pragmatic, market-grounded feedback on licensing pathways and physical production parameters. “A great character illustration is only 20% of the journey. The other 80% is tooling feasibility, safety compliance, and protected IP before hitting retail shelves.” Ms. Amy Nguyen Ms. Amy Nguyen Co-founder Takara · Founding Member VCIPLA · Industry Juror 7-Member Industry Jury Board at Creative DNA Hackathon 2026 The 7-member industry jury board bringing together leaders across creative agencies, design institutions, IP protection bodies, and manufacturing. (Photo: RMIT / Takara) 03 · Practical Field Immersion ## From Workshop Studios to Factory Floor Prototyping The hackathon forms an integral cornerstone of the Creative Economy Initiative (CEI), co-hosted by RMIT’s School of Communication & Design and creative agency Project Pluto, with foundational regional support from the SEA Neighbour Network. A signature differentiator of the Creative DNA Hackathon was its practical exposure: participants were not confined to lecture halls. Instead, they embarked on an industry field trip to creative enterprises, production houses, and retail hubs across Ho Chi Minh City. Students observed firsthand how 2D concept art translates into mold tooling, precision embroidery, eco-friendly textile treatments, and branded retail packaging. Student creators on an industry field trip visiting creative businesses in Ho Chi Minh City Cohort participants pitching and developing playable game prototypes in just 2 days. (Photo: RMIT) “The next era of creative education should not be defined by individual institutional success alone. It should be defined by regional collaboration, shared learning, and collective impact.” ML Dr. Manny Ling Deputy Dean, Engagement & International · School of Communication & Design, RMIT Vietnam ### Takara & VCIPLA's Commitment to Emerging Creative Talent As an established manufacturing partner trusted by Tier-1 global clients (ThreeSixty Group, Rohto, Galaxy Cinema, WTC...), Takara defines corporate social responsibility (CSR) as opening factory gates to the next generation of creators. Through our ongoing collaboration with VCIPLA and regional design schools, Takara provides complimentary production engineering reviews for standout graduation projects, assists emerging creators in developing production-ready tech-packs, helps verify international safety benchmarks (ASTM F963, EN71, Disney FAMA), and connects them with reputable distribution networks across the Asia-Pacific region. ### Key Moments from Creative DNA Hackathon 2026 Ms. Amy Nguyen celebrating with 40 student creators and industry partners in front of the partner screen Ms. Amy Nguyen alongside ecosystem partners (VCIPLA, 3nity...) and 40 students before the recognition wall Student team pitching original character IP The Chess Town on stage Student cohort presenting an original IP concept inspired by local culture to the jury Ms. Amy Nguyen observing student team presentations alongside jury members Pitch Showcase: Jury board reviewing original character IP pitches in the auditorium Ms. Amy Nguyen consulting with fellow juror Michael Orion during pitch feedback Active jury deliberations evaluating commercial viability and toy production feasibility Official 7-member Jury Board of Creative DNA Hackathon 2026 The 7-member industry jury board - Ms. Amy Nguyen representing VCIPLA & Sotafi / Takara Official Industry Partners at Creative DNA Hackathon 2026 Creative ecosystem partners: VCIPLA, Sotafi, 3nity, OHQUAO, Project Pluto, and collaborators Speaker & Juror Ms. Amy Nguyen - Co-founder Takara Ms. Amy Nguyen Co-founder Takara & Founding Member VCIPLA Specialist in toy supply chain management, licensed merchandise, and IP commercialisation in Vietnam. Juror and industry mentor for 40 creators at Creative DNA Hackathon 2026. Representing: VCIPLA & Takara Corporation Share Event Link copied to clipboard! Event Profile - Date 26 - 28 Aug 2026 - Host RMIT Vietnam - Location Saigon South Campus - Participants 40 Finalist Creators - Institutions 6 Art & Design Academies - Official Press [RMIT News ↗](https://www.rmit.edu.vn/news/all-news/2026/aug/creative-hackathon-showcases-new-model-for-creative-talent-development) #### Incubate Your Character IP Are you a creator studio or enterprise looking to engineer and mass-produce custom plush, blind boxes, or vinyl figures? [Connect With Sourcing Team](https://takarahq.com/contact) Vietnam Licensing Expo 2025 WTC Binh Duong Next Featured Event ### Vietnam Licensing Expo 2025 & VKCLF: Unlocking Gateways for the Cultural Industry Co-hosted by WTC, KOCCA, and VCIPLA with Takara as founding member, connecting 150+ exhibitors with certified manufacturing lines. ## Related Events & Insights [View all events](https://takarahq.com/events) Vietnam Licensing Expo 2025 Industry Summit ### Vietnam Licensing Expo 2025: Unlocking Cultural Gateways Connecting 150+ international exhibitors with certified manufacturing lines. Creative Manufacturing at Takara Production Operations ### What Creative Manufacturing Actually Means: Design & Production As One Design and production run as one continuous capability, not two separate handoffs. HKTDC Global Licensing Bridge Licensing Bridge ### Global Licensing & Vietnam Manufacturing: The HKTDC Partnership How Vietnamese makers interface directly with top Asian intellectual property holders.