Da Nang and relevant agencies have issued many policies, and organised many incubation activities and events to attract angel investors and connect the network of founders and startups, thereby contributing to the development of a regional-level innovation startup ecosystem.

Over the past time, Da Nang has organized many events and programmes to connect, support, build and develop an innovative startup ecosystem. IN THE PHOTO: A business is introducing products at the SURF 2018 in Da Nang. Photo: PV

Launching platform for startups in entrepreneurial journey

After 6 years of operation, the Da Nang Entrepreneurship Support (DNES) has supported more than 80 startups, established a network of founders in Da Nang with more than 150 members, and appealed for more than US$15 million in investment capital for startups joining its incubation programme. Also, DNES has set up a co-working space with more than 300 companies, and organized more than 500 innovation startup-related events.

DNES CEO Nguyen Van Chuong said that many projects joining DNES-developed incubation programme have successfully raised capital to develop products and expand their consumption markets, thereby creating confidence for startups about the operational efficiency of the unit.

In addition, held for the first time in 2016, the Da Nang Startup and Innovation Festival (SURF) has become an annual event, playing an important role in attracting investment, and connecting resources and expert networks.

Mr. Chuong underlined a must-do for Da Nang to continue to implement supportive policies and create a launchpad for startups in the entrepreneurial journey; organize annual events such as SURF and consulting programmes on intellectual property, standards development, application support and technology transfer; and consider the establishment of scientific enterprises, in order to turn itself into a regional innovation startup hub in the time to come.

Established in 2019, the Da Nang Hi-tech Park General Service Centre (DSC) under the Authority of the Da Nang Hi-Tech Park and Industrial Parks is the place to ‘nurture’ new and innovative projects based on science, technology and high technology.

After 3 years of establishment and development, DSC has provided high-tech business incubation programmes for 9 projects majorly involving the fields of software technology, environmental technology, biotechnology for agriculture and medicine. 100% of the projects boast technologies owned and developed by Vietnamese people.

Ms. Trinh Thi Thanh Trang from the DSC’s Incubation, Training and Environment Office said that projects participating in the incubation programme are supported in terms of workspace, consultations, registration to establish intellectual property rights and legal advice, building brand identity, and training additional startup skills.

Besides, the projects are facilitated to participate in exhibitions to connect with investment funds and consultants.

“Up to now, three out of the 9 projects have graduated from the incubation programme and called on investors. They will move to the post-incubation phase and receive support in registration procedures, and completing the application for investment land in the Da Nang Hi-Tech Park”, informed Ms. Trang.

Organize Da Nang Start-up and Innovation Festival

The Da Nang Startup and Innovation Festival (SURF) 2022 will officially open on November 25 with the message of ‘Da Nang - An Attractive City for Innovative Startups’.

According to the municipal Department of Science and Technology, the SURF annual start-up event aims to promote the connection of the startup ecosystem, thereby contributing to building Da Nang into an innovative start-up hub in the region which plays a vital role in creating closer linkages between start-up ecosystems in the Central and Central Highlands regions and around the world.

Also, the event provides the opportunity for participants to access expert resources, capital and technologies to introduce and connect to the local community and vice versa.

At the same time, SURF invites investors and domestic and international startup experts to exchange and share their experience, encourages the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation in Da Nang, and gradually forms a community of angel investors, venture capital funds, and startup communities in the city.

Apart from exhibition and investment connection activities, within the framework of SURF, there will be important seminars related to such issues of major concern as innovation startup policies, innovation in the public sector, how to build a network of innovative start-up experts and investors, and innovation incubator model in universities.

Mr. Nguyen Van Chuong said that SURF 2022 entitled ‘Innovation - Mastering the Future’ shows the message that the key to the development of the innovation startup ecosystem is to improve the quality of human resources and implement creative innovation.

The orientation of rotating SURF organization at universities and colleges citywide will spread the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation to schools and student communities, added he.

Ms. Trinh Thi Thanh Trang shared that a number of high-tech business incubation projects at DSC have registered to participate in the innovation contest and exhibition booth at SURF 2022 with the desire to connect domestic and foreign startup ecosystems, as well as seek investment and cooperation opportunities with investment funds and components in the ecosystem.

She highlighted that participating in the startup event is also an opportunity for projects to promote and introduce their products to customers, affirm their brand, receive support and advice on product commercialization experience, and raise investment capital.

Reporting by VAN HOANG - Translating by M.DUNG