Creating momentum to nurture billion-dollar "unicorns"
According to the city's Department of Science and Technology, implementing the Government's Project "Supporting the national innovative startup ecosystem to 2025" (Project 844), in the period of 2022 - 2025, the city has achieved many positive results in supporting the development of the innovative startup ecosystem, improving business capacity and promoting digital transformation.
Up to now, Da Nang 's innovative startup ecosystem has basically developed all its components with the main pillars: state agencies - research institutes, universities - support organizations - business community and related entities actively participating in the ecosystem; having strong connections with the national and international ecosystems.
Notably, in 2025, Da Nang rose 130 places to 766th in the StartupBlink rankings, becoming the fastest growing ecosystem in Vietnam.
Da Nang currently has 3 Centers for supporting innovative startups; 12 incubators; 3 invention spaces; 8 co-working spaces; 6 startup investment funds; 10 startup clubs in universities and colleges; more than 20 facilities and universities actively participating in the ecosystem, with an estimated 200 innovative startups.
Ms. Dang Le Thu Minh, Head of the Department of Technology Development and Innovation (Department of Science and Technology) said that in the period of 2022 - 2025, the city will issue nearly 30 important mechanisms and policies, creating a more complete legal corridor for innovation.
Based on Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15 dated June 26, 2024 on the organization of urban government and piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Da Nang city, the city concretizes them with 7 specific resolutions on science and technology, tax incentives, project support and sandbox testing mechanism, helping businesses access policies right in the first year of implementation.
At the same time, it is necessary to promote infrastructure investment and direct support for businesses, with a total budget of nearly 11.5 billion VND; expand international cooperation through innovation spaces, connect partners in Singapore, the "Greater Bay Area" (China), Osaka (Japan), Seoul (Korea), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Paris (France)... At the same time, organize many connection activities, call for domestic and international investment capital.
In the period of 2026 - 2030, Da Nang aims to become an international "City of Innovation", among the top 300 global startup ecosystems. In addition, it will promote support activities with a minimum number of 600 projects; form 500 innovative startups, of which at least 20% are founded by foreigners. We expect that by 2030, the city will have at least 1 billion-dollar startup "unicorn".
Ms. Dang Le Thu Minh, Head of Technology Development and Innovation Department.
Remove barriers to increase resilience
Mr. Vu Tien Dung, Director of Fundgo Danang Creative Startup Investment Fund, acknowledged that although the city’s ecosystem is vibrant, the scale and amount of venture capital are still modest. This is a gap that Danang needs to find a solution to soon.
Access to investment capital for startups and projects in Da Nang is still limited due to many barriers from startups, ecosystems, investment environment, etc. Many startups are not really ready, projects are not suitable for the market; plans and financial models lack data, and goals and needs are not clearly defined.
On the other hand, the “try once” mindset makes it easy for founders to give up; starting a business in a “narrow scope”, only targeting the local market or small niche, has not proven the ability to expand regionally and internationally.
According to Mr. Dung, to realize the goal of the project “Da Nang - City of Innovation and Creativity” by 2030, it is necessary to build an information center and connect startup investment. This will be the focal point for providing project data and legal information to support investors and startups throughout the capital calling life cycle.
In addition, piloting a co-investment mechanism between the city budget and private investment funds will resolve legal risks and create prestige for investors and businesses to boldly join.
In addition, the city needs to improve incentive mechanisms and capital promotion activities; review taxes and administrative procedures for investors and periodically organize the Capital Calling Week for startups in Da Nang; and implement solutions to improve capacity for startups. and incubation.
Meanwhile, Dr. Le Phuoc Cuu Long, Head of the Department of Digital Economics and E-commerce (Vietnam - Korea University of Information Technology and Communications) said that the city needs to continue to perfect its specific mechanism, add a separate support package for student projects; speed up the investment progress and put into operation the Da Nang Innovation Space to connect institutes - startups - investment funds.
Universities need to develop and implement clear strategies and roadmaps to promote startups and innovation, linked to the specific characteristics of the training sector.
According to Mr. Luong Van Thuong, Head of the Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Department of Entrepreneurship and Technology Enterprises (Ministry of Science and Technology), Da Nang needs to focus on local strengths to ensure resources for development. With the expectation of creating “unicorns”, Da Nang needs to invest in strong technology fields.
Specifically, in the field of microchips, semiconductors and chips, it is necessary to go through test design and specialized human resource training. In the field of marine economy and smart logistics, it is necessary to focus resources to support startups in seaport management, high-tech aquaculture and marine conservation.
In the field of smart cities and green technology, it is necessary to focus on solving the problems of traffic, environment, and energy of the city. Finally, in the field of tourism technology and services, it is necessary to continue to take advantage of the strengths of tourism to test digital transformation solutions for tourism and virtual reality experiences.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/de-da-nang-but-pha-tren-ban-do-khoi-nghiep-toan-cau-3311732.html
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