Connecting startup and innovation networks

Businesses and students visit booths displaying startup and innovation products at a seminar organized by Dong Nai University in response to National Innovation Day (October 1) in early October 2025. Photo: Hai Quan

Recently, many programs to connect and support youth, students, and young startups to improve their knowledge about startups, promote technology application, and innovation have been implemented by departments, branches, and universities in the province.

Deploying "4-house" linkage forums

Dong Nai province focuses on promoting startup connection programs and competitions on innovative startups. These include many activities to support the connection of young people and students to start businesses. In addition, the province also focuses on trade connection activities, exhibitions, seminars, and fairs to help startups, start-ups, small and medium enterprises in the region find partners, customers, and develop markets, especially niche markets with great potential.

Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Dong Nai province Vo Hoang Khai shared: In fact, Dong Nai province has implemented many specific activities connecting 4 subjects: State, schools - training institutions, businesses and investors in promoting start-up and innovation activities in the province. One of the outstanding activities is the annual techfest programs. Techfest will create a forum to connect components in the "innovation ecosystem", organize specialized seminars on the connection between 4 subjects: State - schools - businesses - investors.

Dong Nai's goal is to develop a science, technology and innovation ecosystem, building a closely linked network between components, from scientific research, technology transfer to science and technology market development and human resource capacity improvement. Innovation is not the job of one person but a sustainable connection effort of the entire ecosystem. In which, the State plays a role in creating and building open, preferential mechanisms and policies and effective operating mechanisms to develop an innovation network. Schools are the source of knowledge, core technology and high-quality human resources, especially in the field of information technology and engineering. Enterprises are the center of innovation, the place to turn knowledge into products, determine the speed of application of science, technology and digital transformation. Investors are the financial driving force, supporting start-ups to "take off", turning ideas into real economic value.
Comrade LE TRUONG SON, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee

These programs focus on motivating businesses to apply science, technology and digital transformation… Thanks to that, young businesses, universities and research organizations have the opportunity to meet, share ideas and seek investment sources at forums created by local authorities.

Dr. Pham Hung Duc, Vice President of Dong Nai University, said: The University always focuses on implementing activities to update the policies and guidelines of the Party, State and locality on startups and innovation. From there, it contributes to creating a space for connection between the school - businesses - management agencies to share experiences and resources. The connection from seminars and talks on startups and innovation will be the first step for Dong Nai University to strive to become the center of the startup and innovation ecosystem in the locality - where knowledge, ideas and actions converge to create the future.

Strengthening the connection between technology supply and demand

In the context of the world economy shifting strongly to a growth model based on knowledge and technology, science, technology and innovation have become key drivers of productivity, quality and competitiveness.

Young people visit and experience digital technology booths at Techfest Dong Nai 2025. Photo: Hai Quan

According to the Department of Science and Technology, as of September 2025, Dong Nai province had 88 innovative enterprises, 16 science and technology enterprises and a network of industrial parks developed in the area. In addition, Dong Nai currently has 6 universities and university branches, 13 colleges, along with about 60 vocational training institutions. This creates favorable conditions for the province to promote the sustainable development of the startup and innovation ecosystem.

Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology Vo Hoang Khai commented: “Connecting technology supply and demand, commercializing science and technology products and innovation is not only the task of scientists or businesses but also the common mission of the whole society. Officials and civil servants need to think innovatively in management, proactively improve administrative processes to support businesses. Businesses need to boldly invest in research and technological innovation, considering science as a lever for sustainable development. As for union members, students, lecturers, and the young generation of the province, let's turn knowledge into action, turn ideas into products, and turn the entrepreneurial spirit into a real creative movement.

The task of connecting technology supply and demand and commercializing scientific and technological products is an important link to create a closed value circle between research - production - market.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Vi, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director of Phuoc Thien Trade and Service Cooperative (Hung Phuoc commune) shared: In order to promote innovation activities as well as strengthen connections to increase product value, promote the application of science and technology in production, the cooperative hopes that the locality will increase its support and support for cooperatives and enterprises in training through in-depth training programs on how to operate and exploit data from IoT systems (Internet of Things) for producers; focus on research and development (R&D) in production. At the same time, deploy adaptive and flexible credit support packages, especially to support cooperatives and enterprises to invest in advanced machinery and equipment, and apply scientific and technological advances in production.

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Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/kinh-te/202510/ket-noi-mang-luoi-khoi-nghiepdoi-moi-sang-tao-56127e2/