Vietnam exchanges with SITRA Innovation Fund, ICEYE Space Technology Company

According to the special correspondent of VNA, within the framework of the official visit of General Secretary To Lam and his wife and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to Finland from October 20-22, 2025, Comrade Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Central Inspection Commission , Deputy Head of the Central Steering Committee on Science, Technology Development, Innovation and Digital Transformation, and the delegation visited, worked and exchanged experiences at the SITRA Innovation Fund and ICEYE Space Technology Company.

On October 21, at the SITRA Innovation Fund, the working group studied and developed a model for building a national strategy based on forecasting capacity. Researched SITRA's methodology in researching and forecasting global trends and long-term challenges to build development scenarios, thereby proactively and visionarily planning science and technology policies, innovation, and digital transformation.

Chairman of the Central Inspection Commission Nguyen Duy Ngoc and the working delegation conducted research, surveys and exchanged experiences at the SITRA Innovation Fund. (Photo: VNA)

The delegation discussed and consulted on independent institutional models to promote innovation. SITRA’s model (independent, reporting directly to the National Assembly, financial autonomy) is a model for how to set up an organization capable of promoting systemic reforms, overcoming short-term political cycles…

SITRA is the initiator of the World Circular Economy Forum and a pioneer in the "Fair Data Economy" model. These are issues that Vietnam is facing. Working with SITRA, the Working Group researched, accessed toolkits, policy frameworks and practical experiences to accelerate the transition to a circular economy and build a sustainable, responsible digital economy.

At the meeting, the two sides discussed SITRA's process and methodology in conducting forecasting research and identifying major trends to provide policy advice to the National Assembly.

On SITRA's governance and operational model: Parliamentary oversight mechanism, investment fund management methods to ensure financial autonomy and decision-making processes for strategic projects; in-depth discussion on the topic of Circular Economy: SITRA's experience in developing the world's first National Circular Economy Roadmap and how to organize the World Circular Economy Forum; SITRA's experience in designing and implementing large-scale social experiments to find solutions to problems such as population aging, healthcare reform and lifelong learning.

SITRA is an independent “fund for the future” that operates directly under the supervision of the Finnish Parliament. SITRA’s role is that of a research and action organization. SITRA is unique in that it operates independently of the current government and is financially self-sufficient thanks to the return on its initial investment, allowing it to pursue long-term goals.

On October 22, at ICEYE Company, the working group studied the application of space technology to solve urgent national problems because Vietnam is a country heavily affected by climate change, with a long coastline and often facing storms and floods.

ICEYE’s technology provides an effective tool to improve monitoring, early warning and disaster damage assessment capabilities quickly and accurately. In addition, the company also helps strengthen maritime security and resource management (forests, agriculture, fisheries).

This is a high-tech solution that helps Vietnam realize its goals of sustainable development and national security.

Here, the delegation also researched and learned about successful deep-tech commercialization models. ICEYE is a typical success story of a university research project developing into a global space technology company.

Learning about ICEYE's journey - from research, fundraising, product development to conquering the international market - will provide invaluable lessons for Vietnam in promoting the commercialization of research results, one of the key tasks of Resolution 57-NQ/TW.

At the meeting, the two sides discussed the capabilities of ICEYE's SAR satellite constellation and different imaging modes (Spot, Strip, Scan); discussed specific applications for Vietnam in the following contents: Near-real-time flood monitoring and mapping capabilities; applications in monitoring forest cover changes, landslide monitoring; and learned about ICEYE's business model.

The two sides also exchanged and discussed the process of transforming a project at Aalto University into a commercial company; the role of the Finnish innovation ecosystem (government, investment funds, universities) in supporting ICEYE in the early stages.

Collaboration possibilities: discuss cooperation opportunities in training, technology transfer, or implementing pilot projects in Vietnam to solve a specific problem.

Also at the meeting, the delegation visited some stages in the satellite production and assembly process. The two sides also discussed the cooperation policy between ICEYE Company and Viettel Group.

ICEYE is a leading global space technology company, owning and operating the world's largest commercial synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation. ICEYE's primary role is to provide continuous, near-real-time Earth surveillance, regardless of weather conditions (cloud cover) or time of day (day/night).

ICEYE data serves governments and industries in many important areas such as: Disaster Management; Insurance and Finance; Environment and Agriculture…/.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/viet-nam-trao-doi-voi-quy-doi-moi-sang-tao-sitra-cong-ty-cong-nghe-vu-tru-iceye-post1071997.vnp