Vietnamese-born duo make world’s first sneakers from residual coffee grounds
More and more startups nowadays are committed themselves to finding innovative solutions to environmental problems. Rens Original, a sustainable fashion startup co-founded by Jesse Khanh Tran and Son Chu, two Vietnamese young men studying and living in Finland, is one of them.
Rens Original is a sustainable fashion startup co-founded by Jesse Khanh Tran and Son Chu, two Vietnamese young men studying and living in Finland. (Photo: Rens Original)
Hanoi (VNA) – More and more startups nowadaysare committed themselves to finding innovative solutions to environmentalproblems. Rens Original, a sustainable fashion startup co-founded by JesseKhanh Tran and Son Chu, two Vietnamese young men studying and living in Finland, is one ofthem.
Established in 2019, Rens Original wants to reduce theimpact that sneaker production has on the environment by using residual coffeegrounds and recycled plastic as raw material for shoes, the first time everthat it has been done globally.
The Helsinki-based startup launched its first coffeesneakers the same year and raised over half a million USD in less than 24 hours,making it a global phenomenon.
The Vietnamese-born duo made it into Forbes’s 30 Under 30Europe and Forbes’s 30 Under 30 Vietnam in the following year.
In August this year, the brand went one step further bylaunching a brand-new sneaker model – Rens Nomad. It only took them two hoursto successfully secure new funding.
Rens Nomad, the first ever performance sneakers made fromcoffee grounds, feature the company’s latest innovation, the SkyStep PerformanceMidsole. “Precision air intakes placed at the heel and sole increaseventilation and breathability while maintaining total waterproof protection,”according to the brand.
Jesse Khanh Tran and Son Chu have become a role model foryoung people who are keen to start an entrepreneur.
Jesse Khanh Tran has been invited by the Ministry ofScience and Technology and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to join the “Supportingthe National Innovation Startup Ecosystem by 2025,” or Project 844, as an advisorwho shares his experience and contributes ideas to support the startupecosystem in Vietnam./.
Embracing the circular economy and closed-loop designs are among the most effective ways to achieve business success while protecting the environment, according to Thanh Le.
There is growing awareness among people that businesses have responsibilities towards society and the environment, beyond just voluntary acts of kindness, said a UNDP representative.
Developed with state-of-the-art infrastructure, the Da Nang FTZ is designed to become a leading regional economic centre and a strategic growth pole in Vietnam’s new development landscape.
The Binh Duong Association of Supporting Industries (BASI) is expected to promote the usage of domestically manufactured components while supporting businesses in accessing international markets, strengthening linkages, and promoting deeper integration into global supply chains.
PwC Vietnam forecasts a vibrant M&A market in Vietnam’s healthcare sector in 2025, driven by rising demand for high-quality medical services and a growing middle class. Pharmaceutical companies, private hospitals, and specialised medical facilities, particularly in ophthalmology and oncology, are predicted to be key targets for M&A.
The central province of Quang Nam is set to become a hub for the medicinal plant industry, with Ngoc Linh ginseng designated as the core crop, under the Prime Minister's decision issued earlier this year.
The North-South Expressway project is scheduled for completion by 2030, aiming to establish the groundwork for Vietnam’s modern railway industry and stimulate regional economic development, positioning the country for a significant economic leap in the era of national rise.
The probe, initiated on June 11 following a petition by the US Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood, targets products classified under HS Code 4412 and 9403 imported from China, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways was born as a perfect piece in Sun Group’s strategic vision to build a premium ecosystem of tourism, entertainment, real estate, and aviation. With a pioneering ambition, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is not just an airline, but a symbol of connection – bringing the world to Phu Quoc and taking Phu Quoc to the world.
A key change in the draft decree is a provision requiring bank transfers for gold transactions valued at 20 million VND (765 USD) and above, to enhance transparency and verify customer identities.
In the first four months of 2025, trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia surpassed 3 billion USD, marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
On June 19 alone, a total of 2,005 trucks completed customs clearance at Lang Son’s border gates — the highest single-day figure ever recorded in the province. Of these, 634 carried exports and 1,371 imports.
The OECD Economic Surveys: Vietnam 2025 report focuses on analysing the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals, the impact of international integration on attracting foreign investment and trade, and the country’s prospects for developing a low-carbon economy.
Antoine Colin, Senior Vice President for Global Supply Chain Digital Transformation & Resilience at HP Inc., affirmed HP’s strategic commitment to building a supply chain and ecosystem in Vietnam and the region.
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Trade Promotion Agency Bui Quang Hung emphasised that logistics has evolved from a technical function into a core capability for Vietnamese exporters to maintain their competitive advantage in the US market.
A trade official has suggested companies work closely with shipping lines, airlines, and freight forwarders to monitor routes, transit times, and potential surcharges while exploring broader cargo insurance to cover risks like war and terrorism.
In addition to institutional reform, the agency is also rolling out key solution groups to combat counterfeit goods, imitations, and intellectual property infringements in the digital environment.
The event, co-organised by the Vietnam Trade Office in the UK and TT Meridian, a local importer of Vietnamese fresh produce, aims to build a national lychee brand and encourage broader recognition of Vietnamese fruits in a competitive, high-end market.
The industry's performance has been powered by bold investments in modern production lines, enabling Vietnamese firms to produce complicated products which were exclusive to advanced economies.
Rens Original is a sustainable fashion startup co-founded by Jesse Khanh Tran and Son Chu, two Vietnamese young men studying and living in Finland. (Photo: Rens Original)
