Aspirations for a startup "launch pad"

Start-ups are supported to participate in incubation programs and improve their capacity. Photo: PHAN VINH

The above achievements come from a profound vision, along with systematic investment in both policy and infrastructure and a close commitment from the creative community. In particular, after the merger, the city has more new space to continue developing the aspiration of being a "regional startup launch pad".

Growing in depth

Startup Blink 2025 data shows that Da Nang has undergone a comprehensive transformation in development thinking, focusing on infrastructure, policies, quality of human resources and startup support environment. The city's innovation ecosystem has expanded in scale, improved in quality and gradually shaped a friendly business environment for technology startups and new generation creative enterprises.

The startup atmosphere in Da Nang is gradually taking shape, with a series of activities organized regularly, on a large scale and in depth. The "Startup Coffee" program, a direct dialogue model between the government and young businesses, is maintained periodically in many localities such as Hai Chau, Lien Chieu, Hoi An, Ban Thach... with the participation of representatives of the Department of Science and Technology, startup support centers. In addition, large-scale playgrounds such as the SURF 2025 Innovation and Startup Festival or Startup Runway 2025 continue to play a role in spreading the entrepreneurial spirit in the young community.

From January 1 to August 21, 2025, the city issued new business registration certificates to more than 4,300 enterprises, branches and representative offices with a total registered charter capital of VND 18,370 billion, an increase of 21.14% in the number of enterprises and 42.31% in capital compared to the same period in 2024. Thereby, it shows the clear resilience of the private sector.

The city is synchronously implementing many support programs in both breadth and depth, from the startup acceleration program with intensive training, connecting consultants and investors to the incubation role of the Da Nang Business Incubator (DNES) and the Song Han Startup Incubation Center (SHi), which annually trains dozens of startup groups, many of which have reached the international market.

Mr. Ngo Tan Tien, founder of the BookShare platform and Skoplib application, has received much attention and support from the city government through startup events. After developing Handy Library to serve personal document management, thanks to connections from the startup ecosystem, Mr. Tien began to contact many libraries, schools and research institutes in Germany and Australia to expand his thinking.

“When working with foreign partners, I realized the need for an open, user-friendly library system with data connectivity and AI integration. Since 2023, I have developed Skoplib with the orientation of optimal knowledge management, lightweight capacity, multi-platform interface and good connection with modern library management systems. I found that starting a business in Da Nang is really suitable for technology startups,” Mr. Tien shared.

The region's startup launchpad

The context of Da Nang positioning itself to become a smart city, leading the digital economy and strongly attracting high-tech investment capital also creates conditions for start-up models to approach policies more proactively. The connection between technology start-up groups in the central area and young creative forces in newly merged localities is gradually forming a widespread "creative axis", taking advantage of local resources and young human resources.

Many agreements on cooperation in innovative startups and blockchain technology development between the city and businesses were announced at the Vietnam Blockchain Day 2025 event (August 29). Photo: MINH LE

According to Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Ho Quang Buu, implementing Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15 of the National Assembly on the organization of urban government and piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Da Nang city, the city issued and synchronized more than 20 legal documents to create a favorable policy corridor for the development of the creative startup ecosystem.

From establishing technical support organizations, expanding incubators, promoting the role of venture capital funds, to facilitating market access for angel investors, the city government clearly demonstrates its long-term commitment to accompanying the startup community.

The Steering Committee for Science and Technology Development, Innovation and Digital Transformation is being strengthened, aiming to improve the quality of coordination of key programs, especially in new communes and wards after the merger.

The city has also implemented nearly 30 specific support policies, including: tax incentives for technology startups, support for technical infrastructure at innovation spaces, non-refundable funding policies for feasible projects, and specialized incentive packages for the fields of AI, semiconductor technology and strategic high-tech industries.

“Supporting a strong startup ecosystem cannot stop at beliefs or slogans. The government’s responsibility is to always be there when startups need support, not letting ideas be forgotten halfway. The startup community does not stop at interaction, but must truly share, bond and create useful products for society. Investors both support capital and accompany startups in the long-term development process. When all subjects look in the same direction, Da Nang will become a solid launching pad for innovation in the region,” Mr. Buu affirmed.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/khat-vong-be-phong-khoi-nghiep-3302990.html