Green agriculture start-up wins first prize at TECHFEST Vietnam 2025.

Start-up nông nghiệp xanh giành Quán quân TECHFEST Việt Nam 2025- Ảnh 1. — Growlab won first prize in the 2025 National Innovation Startup Talent Search Competition.
Photo: VGP/TG

Within the framework of TECHFEST Vietnam 2025, the Final Round of the National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talent Search Competition took place on the evening of December 12th at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, Hanoi .

The event brought together the 10 best teams selected from hundreds of applications from both domestic and international participants.

The competition is co-organized by the National Center for Startup and Innovation Support, the Department of Startups and Technology Enterprises ( Ministry of Science and Technology ), in collaboration with partners Startup World Cup Vietnam, Impact Square, and the Institute for Sustainable Development Management Research (MSD Vietnam).

With the theme “Green Growth and Digital Transformation: Innovation for a Sustainable Vietnam”, the TECHFEST Vietnam 2025 competition is built on the orientation of promoting innovative startup models associated with social and environmental responsibility and a long-term vision, while highlighting projects that apply high technology, are environmentally friendly, and are closely linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – the foundation for Vietnam's digital economy and green future.

A highlight of this year's Finals is its organization in the pedestrian area around Ho Hoan Kiem Lake. This provides an opportunity for residents, tourists, and the creative startup community to directly experience new products, models, and technological solutions. This open space contributes to strongly spreading the spirit of innovation and fostering the connection between startups and society.

For the first time, the TECHFEST Vietnam 2025 competition welcomes international teams to participate in solving practical problems in Vietnam. This not only enhances the integration and professional quality of the competition but also creates a foundation for multilateral cooperation, connecting global knowledge and technology to address the country's development challenges.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Le Toan Thang, Director of the National Center for Startup Support, Department of Startups and Technology Enterprises (Ministry of Science and Technology), emphasized that the TECHFEST 2025 competition is an important activity implementing the spirit of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation of the nation and Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW on the development of the private economy.

According to him, this year's competition is not only a place to select potential projects but also a process of supporting capacity building through multiple rounds of competition lasting from October to December, helping startups refine their products, business models, and approach ESG standards.

From an international perspective, Silvie Park, CEO of the Startup World Cup Vietnam, noted that the Vietnamese startup ecosystem is entering a period of strong development, demonstrated by the confidence, proactive spirit, and adaptability of the participating teams.

According to Silvie Park, many teams have reached a level of competitiveness comparable to regional startups, not only in technology but also in business models and sustainable development orientations. Startup World Cup will continue to partner with the TECHFEST competition to support outstanding Vietnamese projects in accessing international investment networks.

According to Ms. Nguyen Phuong Linh, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development Management Research, one of the outstanding changes in the TECHFEST 2025 competition is the integration of criteria for assessing social impact, environmental impact, and sustainability – reflecting the national strategic direction and international trends. This not only brings technology but also sustainable solutions. Vietnam should not only pursue entrepreneurship for growth, but also for responsible development.

Ms. Nguyen Phuong Linh also emphasized that the diversity of participants, ranging from scientists and young entrepreneurs to women's leadership groups, is contributing to shaping a more open, equitable, and in-depth innovation ecosystem for the entire population in Vietnam.

Following the presentation and Q&A sessions, the judging panel conducted an independent evaluation based on criteria such as the level of innovation, feasibility, quality of the operating model, potential for expansion, and the impact value of each project.

As a result, the championship prize, worth $20,000 and the ticket to represent Vietnam at the Startup World Cup 2026 in San Francisco (USA), went to Growlab - a biotechnology startup focusing on researching and developing high-quality plant varieties using tissue culture techniques, especially coconut and tropical fruit trees, aiming to provide sustainable agricultural solutions and enhance the value of Vietnamese agricultural products.

The Organizing Committee also awarded one Runner-up prize, one Third-place prize, and two special prizes (the Investment Fund's Choice Award and the Outstanding Impact Award).

Following the final round, participating teams will continue to receive support from the TECHFEST Vietnam ecosystem to commercialize their products, expand their markets, raise capital, and enhance their social impact.

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