Motivational solutions for start-ups on their entrepreneurial journey

Start-up products are promoted at the 2025 technology and equipment fair.

One of the positive solutions to promote the development of the province's innovation ecosystem is the Project "Supporting the promotion of innovation activities and the formation of an innovation ecosystem in Nam Dinh province" implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Accordingly, the DOST has promoted the formation, operation and maintenance of 2 innovation support points at the Center for Application and Science and Technology Services and at the University of Economics and Technology (Nam Dinh campus). At the support points, consulting programs and seminars on innovation have taken place, attracting the attention of organizations, individuals, businesses, universities and colleges in the province. At the end of 2023, the DOST supported the establishment of the Provincial Innovation Startup Club to motivate and spread the spirit of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial spirit to all classes of people to promote the development of the province's innovation ecosystem. In particular, in 2024, the Department of Science and Technology successfully organized the "Thanh Nam 2024 Startup Talent Search" contest, contributing to creating a diverse source of startups in many of the province's strengths. The contest attracted more than 70 creative startup ideas and projects registered to participate, in the fields of agriculture, industry, technology, health - education, tourism, finance... showing the creativity and strong aspirations of the Nam Dinh startup community.

It can be said that the Nam Dinh province's innovation ecosystem is gradually taking shape with the basic steps of an ecosystem, contributing to creating favorable conditions to promote diverse start-up sources, with the ability to grow rapidly based on the exploitation of intellectual property, technology, new business models, etc. Thereby creating a premise for sustainable development for the province's innovation ecosystem in the next stage. However, the practical implementation of startup support activities also shows that current startups face many difficulties and challenges such as: lack of investment capital and difficulty in accessing appropriate financial resources; limitations in skills, experience in management, marketing (promotion, communication) and product development; lack of environment for connection, experience sharing and mutual support among startups... Through the contest "Searching for Thanh Nam 2024 Talents for Innovative Technology", it can be seen that in the Top 10 projects and ideas awarded, only 3 projects "Developing the craft of manual fermentation from the ancient village of Bach Coc", "Codemath - Website and App for learning and practicing international math exams for primary school", "Cultivating Cordyceps sinensis with silkworm host for export to China" have commercialized products. The remaining projects are still at the idea stage, testing model or sample product. This shows that from idea to market is a long journey for each initiative, requiring thorough investment in a comprehensive ecosystem.

Implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation, on February 20, 2025, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee issued Action Program No. 54-CTr/TU; on February 21, 2025, the Provincial People's Committee issued Plan No. 29/KH-UBND. Accordingly, the strategic orientation and goal in the next phase is to improve the province's potential, level of science and technology and innovation to an advanced level in many important fields, the number of enterprises with science and technology and innovation activities reaching over 40% of the total number of enterprises. One of the tasks set out in Plan No. 29/KH-UBND of the Provincial People's Committee is to "Strongly promote science and technology, innovation and digital transformation activities in enterprises" with contents related to innovation such as: building and implementing solutions and mechanisms, policies to support enterprises, especially small and medium enterprises in scientific research, innovation and digital transformation. Supporting the development of science and technology and innovation programs and projects such as: continuing to organize competitions to find ideas for innovation and digital transformation, thereby supporting the development of ideas with high intellectual content, creative and innovative ideas; consulting and supporting the registration of intellectual property rights...

Given the current situation and the above tasks, in the coming time, the province will continue to train, support, advise and advise startups through training programs, incubation, connecting startups with consultants and experts in appropriate fields to support startups in improving product development, perfecting business models, innovating and applying technology to production. Consulting and orienting startups to develop according to local strengths to increase the ability to effectively commercialize products. Organizing seminars, training, supporting intellectual property registration, quality certification to help startups easily access the market and protect their products. Support communication, promotion, introduction and continuous updating of information about Nam Dinh start-ups on media channels on KNĐMST, Nam Dinh Provincial KNĐMST Information Portal, Nam Dinh Newspaper... Organize seminars, "Startup Coffee" programs, investment connection conferences with start-up experts, investors, successful entrepreneurs to help start-ups expand their networks, learn from experiences, find partners and attract investment capital, and form a start-up community in Nam Dinh. Propose preferential loan support programs for start-ups; support through small-scale pilot production projects using the State budget. Upgrading and expanding existing startup support points, proposing the establishment of coworking spaces for startups with full amenities: offices, product research and development areas, testing areas, event spaces and providing accompanying support services such as: legal advice, accounting, startup consulting, capital calling support, financial support for startups using coworking spaces...

With the foundation of being one of the "leading" units in education and training; tradition of creative labor; especially in the context of implementing Resolution 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo, Nam Dinh has many opportunities to make a breakthrough in the field of science and technology. What is necessary is that together with the synchronous participation of the entire political system, the companionship of the government in implementing Resolution 57 of the Politburo, there needs to be a will and aspiration to rise to prosperity of the business community in general, the start-up community in particular and supporting organizations. This is not only a new factor in local economic growth but also a pioneering force to help Nam Dinh make a breakthrough in the period of sustainable development based on knowledge and technology.

Article and photos: Ngoc Anh

Source: https://baonamdinh.vn/kinh-te/202505/giai-phap-tao-dong-luc-cho-cac-start-uptren-hanh-trinh-khoi-nghiep-0a938cc/