SIHUB: A comprehensive space to support innovative startups

Open environment for science and technology activities

SIHUB is assigned to carry out activities to promote and support the innovation ecosystem in Ho Chi Minh City, organizing or coordinating with incubators, schools, and institutes to develop and incubate ideas and innovation projects through activities of searching, selecting, training, supporting product development, building business models, etc.

According to the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City, the city continues to provide innovative technology services such as: providing workspaces for individuals and groups of individuals starting up, digital spaces, online support services, testing, making prototypes, perfecting technology for individuals and groups starting up... To meet the above goals, SIHUB will organize research, application, testing, technology transfer activities, and commercialize and replicate the results of topics and pilot production projects in various fields.

#4c.jpg — The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) is about to be put into operation. Photo: HOANG HUNG

Ms. Dang Thi Luan, Acting Director of SIHUB, said: “SIHUB building consists of two main spaces. From the 1st to the 3rd floor is a common space supported by the State, a place to spread policies, nurture talents and promote the spirit of innovation to the whole community. From the 4th to the 7th floor is where quality social resources converge such as: venture capital funds, leading accelerators, technology corporations... and is a place to develop the startup ecosystem in the city's priority areas”.

According to the Department of Science and Technology, the operating model as well as specific criteria to invite and attract technology organizations and startups to operate at the SIHUB building are waiting for approval from relevant functional units, but will basically include criteria such as clear legal status, operations in accordance with the functions and tasks of SIHUB, commitment to long-term participation and contribution to the city's innovation ecosystem.

Aiming for the top 100 innovative cities

Ho Chi Minh City aims to bring its innovative startup ecosystem into the top 100 cities with the most dynamic innovative startup ecosystems globally by 2030. To achieve this goal, the city focuses on three key areas: policy, infrastructure and human resources.

In terms of policy, the city is studying the establishment of a “one-stop shop” mechanism for creative start-up activities, aiming to create favorable conditions for start-up businesses. In terms of infrastructure, the city will invest in workspaces, investment fund networks, research centers and connect creative ecosystems to support start-up businesses…

According to the Department of Science and Technology, SIHUB is the place to implement policies to support the Ho Chi Minh City's innovation community and implement Resolution No. 98/2023/QH15 dated June 24, 2023 (Resolution No. 98) on piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Ho Chi Minh City. Through the implementation of Resolution No. 98, the city has incubated 152 innovation projects, with a support budget of up to VND 10.3 billion, and has approved 3 public organizations eligible to participate in the project to develop an international standard research center, with an estimated budget of VND 200 billion for related programs...

Ho Chi Minh City has issued and implemented 4 groups of policies to support science, technology and innovation, including: attracting experts and scientists in public organizations to participate in research and development projects and priority science and technology tasks of the city; supporting and providing non-refundable funding for start-up projects; conducting controlled trials of new technology solutions, etc. In which, SIHUB will be the place to deploy and implement these policies.

“HCMC has identified science and technology and innovation as a development strategy over the past time, demonstrated through specific results such as the city owning the first model of a high-tech park in the country, Quang Trung Software Park is the first model of a concentrated information technology park in the country, the city is also the province with the first digital transformation program in the country... Science and technology activities will continue to play an important role in promoting the city's science and technology development in the coming time", Director of the Department of Science and Technology of HCMC Lam Dinh Thang shared.

BA TAN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/sihub-khong-gian-ho-tro-khoi-nghiep-doi-moi-sang-tao-toan-dien-post806158.html