“Startup Coffee” Program: Listening and accompanying businesses

On the morning of August 14, the "Startup Coffee" program was held in Ban Thach ward, southern Da Nang area with the participation of Mr. Pham Ngoc Sinh, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology and nearly 20 startups and businesses operating in the fields of production, technology and trade.

Policy suggestions

In the intimate space of a morning coffee, the story begins with the production and market realities of local businesses, especially businesses pursuing the OCOP product model or developing in the direction of high technology.

Quy Thu Production and Trading Company Limited (Xuan Phu Commune) is famous for its baked coconut cake products that have been certified with the national 5-star OCOP certificate. Ms. Luu Thi Thu, Director of the company, said that the policy of supporting the construction of factories in some localities such as Can Tho is what startups in Da Nang really need.

“I have been to promote trade in the southern provinces, there are customers who order large quantities of products but the production capacity is not enough to meet the demand. If the city supports a production center with common infrastructure and meets standards, it will be a huge boost. No startup does not desire that,” Ms. Thu shared.

Quy Thu Production and Trading Company Limited regularly receives export orders. Photo: PHAN VINH

From the above practical needs, some businesses have proposed building a production support center model in the form of a sandbox - a controlled testing center, to create conditions for startups to produce according to seasonal orders or specialized product groups.

The business proposal also comes with a binding responsibility mechanism. Opinions say that the allocated land must be “clean land” without compensation or clearance issues; the business must demonstrate its capacity, production needs and commit to a roadmap for generating profits and closing the budget after 3-5 years of operation.

A corner of Dong Que Son Industrial Park seen from above. Illustration photo: HA SAU — Many industrial parks have plenty of land but startups have difficulty accessing it. Photo: HA SAU

According to some businesses, there are still many barriers in accessing certification and licensing procedures, while this is a prerequisite for products to reach large markets.

Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, founder of the VIPRI Waterproofing Cement Project said: “To have a certificate of origin - C/Q, you have to go to the Ministry of Industry and Trade , which is time-consuming and costly. If the city has a mechanism to support costs and procedures to make these documents simple and clear, businesses will be more confident in their plans to expand internationally.”

For technology companies, the support issue also requires more in-depth attention. According to Mr. Pham Huu Tam, Director of Green Vietnam Science and Technology Development Joint Stock Company, a unit specializing in designing, manufacturing and exporting industrial machinery based on scientific research, although having products sold abroad, businesses still struggle due to financial pressure and lack of support mechanisms for investment in production capacity.

“We rent land in the industrial park at market prices, but resources start from zero. Policies to support post-investment finance or support for implementing science and technology tasks have not reached us. The biggest wish is to have a clear, accessible, and transparent process so that science and technology enterprises can confidently develop,” Mr. Tam suggested.

[VIDEO] - Mr. Pham Huu Tam shares about building an innovative startup ecosystem in Da Nang city:

Policy must be close to business

Mr. Pham Ngoc Sinh, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, affirmed that "Startup Coffee" is an open and friendly approach to create a space for listening and dialogue between the government and the startup community.

“We organize coffee sessions in many areas, including the city center, the south and Hoi An ward to directly grasp the needs. Not only listening, the city will respond with specific, practical policies,” said Mr. Sinh.

Contribute your opinion — Businesses raise difficulties and hope city leaders will pay attention to solving them. Photo: PHAN VINH

Mr. Sinh said that according to Decree No. 57/2025/ND-CP of the Government, the state budget will spend about 75,000 billion VND on science and technology, innovation and digital transformation by 2030. Of which, Da Nang city plans to allocate 300 billion VND to implement the Innovative City Project, a key component in the local digital economic development strategy.

The financial support mechanism will be implemented in a “post-investment” manner, meaning that startups will invest their own capital first, then compare it with the estimate to be reimbursed from the state budget. The support level will range from 30-50% depending on the nature of the project.

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Before waiting for the new support project to be approved, startups need to carefully study Decree No. 57 and the Law on Science and Technology to proactively apply the incentives currently in effect correctly, sufficiently and effectively so as not to miss out on the policies.
Mr. Pham Ngoc Sinh, Deputy Director of Department of Science and Technology

Some specific mechanisms are also being developed such as: one-time full support package/year for recognized startups to study abroad; support of 30 million VND for businesses participating in innovation events in Southeast Asia and 50 million VND if participating in events outside the region. Particularly for meeting international standards, each product will be supported with 20 million VND for a certificate, maximum 3 products/business.

[VIDEO] - Mr. Pham Ngoc Sinh shares the purpose of the program "Startup Coffee":

“Policy development needs to follow the “breath” of each business group. Small but substantial proposals, such as support for certification costs, export procedures, production facilities, etc., are all important data for us to adjust the mechanism in the right direction,” Mr. Sinh affirmed.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/chuong-trinh-ca-phe-khoi-nghiep-lang-nghe-va-dong-hanh-voi-doanh-nghiep-3299430.html