Studying abroad is an exciting experience, but it also comes with unique challenges, especially for international students. Two ambitious RMIT students, Hoàng Anh and Ngọc Nguyen, recognized these difficulties and decided to create an innovative solution – PassMe.
Through their participation in the Open Innovation Competition, they not only brought their vision to life but also secured a spot in RMIT’s prestigious LaunchHUB Bootcamp.
PassMe emerged from the personal experiences of Hoàng Anh and Ngọc, both international students in Melbourne. They struggled with finding affordable household items and dealing with excess baggage during their studies. Together they conceived the idea of PassMe – an all-in-one trading marketplace catering to international students' needs. The platform connects students looking for second-hand items, making their study abroad experience more comfortable, sustainable, and cost-effective.
The duo saw the Open Innovation Competition as an excellent opportunity to contribute to Melbourne's inclusivity for international students, perfectly aligning with PassMe's vision.
Launched in 2018 with a different theme each year, the competition calls for innovators, entrepreneurs, students and community members to submit their bright ideas to solve the challenge. This year’s challenge was to create an 'Inclusive City for International Students and Alumni'.