Empowering startups

- Over the years, developing the innovation and startup ecosystem has been identified by the Party committees and authorities at all levels of the province as one of the regular tasks and has been continuously implemented. Notably, the period from 2021 to 2025 marks a clear shift with the system of mechanisms and policies gradually being perfected, and solutions being implemented synchronously, thereby stimulating the entrepreneurial spirit.

Representatives from the Department of Science and Technology and BestB Capital Investment Fund signed a commitment to support the province's innovation and startup ecosystem.

For the period 2021-2025, the Provincial People's Committee has identified the development of the innovation and startup ecosystem as a key and overarching task in its socio-economic development strategy.

Spreading the entrepreneurial spirit

Adhering closely to the central government's guidelines and the Prime Minister 's Project 844 on "Supporting the National Innovation and Startup Ecosystem until 2025," the province has issued and implemented a comprehensive range of support mechanisms and policies, creating a favorable legal framework for innovation and startup activities. The focus has been on developing a plan to support the innovation and startup ecosystem for the period 2021-2025; issuing a resolution stipulating the content and level of financial support for innovation and startup activities; and implementing policies on training, capacity building, legal consulting, OCOP product development, application of science and technology, digital transformation; trade promotion, and market connectivity.

Startups in the province receive advice and guidance on product development from experts.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Huy, Director of the Department of Science and Technology, stated: As the focal agency advising and coordinating the implementation of activities supporting the innovation and startup ecosystem in the province, during the 2021-2025 period, the department proactively collaborated with other departments, localities, and socio-political organizations to comprehensively implement activities including propaganda, training, capacity building, product development support, and resource connection for startup projects. Propaganda work was carried out regularly and diversely; training and workshops were intensified and expanded in scale; and support, promotion, and connection programs gradually helped projects access experts, investors, and markets. Through this implementation process, the business community, socio-political organizations, and startup entities increasingly affirmed their role in the province's innovation and startup ecosystem. Through this process, the ecosystem is gradually shaped and strengthened, contributing to the spread of the entrepreneurial spirit in society.

Accordingly, the dissemination of information and raising awareness about innovation and entrepreneurship has been intensified through various forms. From 2021 to the present, the entire province has organized more than 4,100 awareness campaigns, attracting over 227,000 participants; and published and shared more than 1,000 news articles on mass media channels. Training and capacity building for entrepreneurs and other components of the ecosystem have been emphasized. During the 2021-2025 period, the province organized over 150 training courses, workshops, conferences, and seminars with more than 16,000 participants, exceeding the set plan by 160%. Social organizations organized over 400 classes for more than 19,000 members and young people. Training content is shifting from general knowledge dissemination to in-depth support tailored to the specific needs of each target group, focusing on project development, business management, capital management, market development skills, digital transformation, e-commerce, etc.

Women in Van Quan commune introduce their startup products to customers.

Along with training, departments, agencies, and organizations in the province have organized many startup and innovation events of diverse scales and forms. These include the regular provincial-level startup and innovation competition and the organization of startup festivals for women, youth, students, and university students. Through these activities, many ideas and projects have been discovered, supported in their development, and gradually brought to market. In recent times, the province has seen the effective implementation of 478 startup projects by students and university students; 117 startup models by youth union members and young people; and over 1,400 startup ideas by women.

Enhancing ecosystem capacity

Capacity building efforts for stakeholders in the ecosystem are implemented in diverse ways, tailored to each target group. The Department of Science and Technology, in collaboration with experts and advisors, organizes training for leaders, managers, and startup support staff on the roles of ecosystem stakeholders, support policies, resource connectivity, and mentoring skills.

A key aspect in building the innovation and startup ecosystem is strengthening the connection between state management agencies, support organizations, experts, scientists, businesses, and the entities behind startup projects. Departments and agencies have implemented numerous support activities such as: brand development, product refinement, packaging and labeling design, and traceability; and participation in the OCOP program to enhance product value and competitiveness in the market.

Simultaneously, startups are facilitated to participate in trade promotion events and investment networking within and outside the province, thereby accessing investors, expanding consumer markets, and gradually participating in the production and consumption chain. In particular, the application of digital transformation in product promotion and consumption is emphasized. Businesses, cooperatives, and household businesses in the province are gradually accessing and effectively utilizing digital platforms and e-commerce exchanges to expand sales channels, improve business efficiency, and meet consumer trends in the digital age.

From 2021 to the present, the province has supported dozens of startup projects, including providing capital support to 5 projects with approximately 290 million VND; organizing 10 networking and dialogue conferences with over 1,000 businesses, cooperatives, and business households participating; and organizing and participating in 49 trade fairs at the provincial, regional, and international levels. In addition, it has supported the construction of over 10,600 digital booths and provided digital skills training to over 228,000 agricultural production households. Support activities are increasingly in-depth and closely linked to practical needs; components within the ecosystem have actively supported stakeholders in realizing their ideas and projects.

Thanks to the support of the ecosystem, many startup models have proven effective, gradually expanding production scale, increasing product value, and creating stable jobs and income for local workers.

Ms. Hoang Thi Yen, from Co Man village, Mai Pha commune, shared: "Previously, my family produced mugwort cakes on a small scale, with low income. After the Department of Science and Technology facilitated our participation in training activities, supported brand building, and invested in a mugwort leaf washing machine, my family has expanded production. Currently, we produce over 1,000 cakes per day, and our products are not only sold within the province but also in many other provinces and cities."

After 5 years of implementation, the province's innovation and startup ecosystem has gradually taken shape with an increasingly clear foundation in terms of mechanisms, policies, human resources, and the participation of various social components; this is an important prerequisite for developing the innovation and startup ecosystem in a sustainable direction.

In the coming period, the innovation and startup ecosystem will continue to be improved in terms of mechanisms and policies; infrastructure supporting startups will be developed; the network of experts, consulting organizations, and incubation centers will be expanded; and training, application of science and technology, digital transformation, and market connectivity and investment attraction will be strengthened. The focus will be on building a favorable environment for innovative ideas to be nurtured and developed, increasing their competitiveness in the market, thereby contributing to promoting sustainable socio-economic development.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/tung-buoc-hoan-thien-he-sinh-thai-khoi-nghiep-doi-moi-sang-tao-5086828.html