The "Central Vietnam Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum" was held in Da Nang on June 28, 2024, providing an overview of the startup landscape in Central Vietnam. The event created a platform for discussions and exchanges on building and developing a high-quality startup community in the region. Mr. Le Duc Vien, Director of the Da Nang Department of Science and Technology; Mr. Vo Duc Anh, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Innovation and Startup Support Center; Shark Le Hung Anh, Representative from Shark Tank Vietnam; Mr. Nguyen Cong Duy Khoi, Deputy Head of the DTU Center for Business Cooperation & Startup, along with leaders from various departments, startup leaders and entrepreneurs in the startup field attended.
Mr. Le Duc Vien, Director of the Da Nang Department of Science and Technology, speaks
In his opening speech, Mr. Le Duc Vien said: “The forum aims at building and supporting the elements within the startup and innovation ecosystem of Da Nang. The city has been issuing and implementing numerous direct support policies, incubation facilities, venture capital funds, and expert networks to connect startup projects. The National Assembly has passed resolutions on specific mechanisms for Nghe An and Da Nang. These resolutions are crucial for the development of the startup ecosystem in the Central region.”
The "Central Vietnam Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum
These initiatives demonstrate that the startup, innovation, and creative community in Da Nang, and the Central region as a whole, is receiving significant attention and support to enhance both the quantity and quality of startups.
Shark Hung Anh shared: “People from Central Vietnam have many advantages when it comes to entrepreneurship, such as passion, creativity, diligence, and a high level of effort. However, there is still a need to improve in terms of science and technology to achieve successful startups. For example, someone wanting to start a restaurant selling Quang noodle may face significant challenges when entering the market, but if they use advanced technology to produce Quang instant noodle for export, they would be much more successful.”
The forum featured many activities around entrepreneurship in Central Vietnam, including:
- Presentation: "From Startup to National Brand" by Mr. Ly Dinh Quan, CEO of SONGHAN Incubator, Vice Chairman of the National Innovation Startup Advisory Council, and Chairman of the Da Nang Culinary Culture Association.
- Presentation: "The Role of Students in Developing the Startup Ecosystem" by Mr. Hoang Kim Toan, Director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Hue University.
- Panel discussions: "Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset for Students" and "Realizing Startup Ideas". These sessions involved experienced entrepreneurs discussing and sharing practical lessons, valuable insights, and humorous anecdotes. Their stories were both inspirational and informative, offering useful advice for those interested in starting their own businesses.
Mr. Nguyen Cong Duy Khoi, (in blue suit jacket), Deputy Head of the DTU Center for Business Cooperation & Startup
“To develop entrepreneurial skills and foster the spirit of our students, DTU has incorporated Career Orientation and Business Start-up courses into the official curriculum for all students. Additionally, the university regularly holds startup competitions for students and innovation seminars with advice from top experts. We leverage all available resources within the DTU ecosystem to focus on nurturing and developing student projects for national and international competitions. We also facilitate the introduction and connection of student projects with businesses and investors. Numerous activities are implemented with the desire to accompany students on their journey to cultivate and confidently pursue entrepreneurship,” said Mr. Nguyen Cong Duy Khoi.
At the "Central Vietnam Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum," the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Network for universities and colleges in the region was launched, with participation from 14 institutions. This network aims to promote comprehensive entrepreneurship education.
The organizers dedicated significant time to discussions, where speakers exchanged insights on the advantages and challenges of starting businesses in Central Vietnam. The region boasts a good workforce and significant development potential. However, issues such as funding, management capacity, legal hurdles, market difficulties, lack of investors, shortage of skilled experts, and inadequate infrastructure pose substantial challenges to the startup community in Central Vietnam. Several solutions were proposed during the forum to address these challenges, including: Enhancing Knowledge and Innovation Capacity, Improving Science and Technology, Changing Consumer Culture and others to develop a high-quality startup community in Central Vietnam.
The "Central Vietnam Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum" concluded successfully, attracting a large number of participants and offering valuable insights from speakers and entrepreneurs. The forum was not only an opportunity to come together and discuss the journey of entrepreneurship in this sun-drenched and windy land, rich in determination and the desire for change, but it also served as a bridge to seek solutions to existing challenges, contributing to promoting the development of the startup ecosystem in Central Vietnam.
(Media Center)