Within the framework of the National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Festival – TECHFEST Vietnam, the National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talent Search Competition took place on the evening of December 12th. The competition was co-organized by the National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support Center (NSSC), the National Agency for Technology and Entrepreneurship (NATEC), and partners including Startup World Cup Vietnam, Impact Square, and the Institute for Sustainable Development Management Research – MSD United Way Vietnam. From hundreds of applications from both domestic and international sources, the 10 best teams were selected for the final round. Following the presentation and Q&A sessions, the judging panel conducted an independent evaluation based on criteria such as the level of innovation, implementation feasibility, quality of the operating model, potential for expansion, and the impact value of each project.
The championship prize, worth $20,000 in cash and the opportunity to represent Vietnam at the Startup World Cup 2026 in San Francisco (USA) – a gathering of the world's most promising startups – opening up opportunities for fundraising, international networking, and access to the global innovation ecosystem, was awarded to the Growlab team for their Multipuno™ technology, which helps create uniform, high-yielding coconut seedlings on a large scale. Billions of coconut trees worldwide are aging and have low yields, causing the coconut industry to face a serious shortage of quality seedlings. Growlab is the first organization capable of large-scale coconut tissue culture, providing a timely and scalable solution.
Multipuno™ seedlings can help farmers increase their income up to 20 times, create green jobs, and ensure a stable supply for processors and exporters. This opens opportunities for millions of farming households, contributing to the revitalization of the coconut industry and promoting sustainable, climate-adaptive growth for Vietnam and other tropical agricultural regions.
According to Silvie Park, CEO of the Startup World Cup Vietnam and representative of Pegasus Technology Investment Fund, the Vietnamese startup ecosystem is entering a strong development phase, demonstrated by the confidence, eagerness to learn, and adaptability of the participating teams. Many teams have reached a level of competitiveness comparable to startups in the region, not only in terms of technology but also in business models and sustainable development orientations.
The runner-up prize, worth $7,000 in cash, went to Volterra – an AI solution and PaaS platform for electric vehicle charging infrastructure developers. Through Digital Twin, AI Optimization, and Dynamic Load Management, the platform integrates renewable energy (wind, solar) and a BESS storage system to help charging station operators address high electricity costs, shorten payback periods, and expand networks faster in Vietnam, while contributing to the Net Zero 2050 goal. Volterra's solution helps reduce operating costs by 40% and improve return on investment by three times, based on assumptions applied to the EV charging network in Vietnam.
The Third Prize, with a cash reward of USD 3,000, was awarded to IDO E-commerce Services Co., Ltd. (Biglead), a pioneer in providing comprehensive technology solutions for businesses. Biglead CRM, its flagship product, not only optimizes customer care, automates sales processes, and centralizes data, but also promotes digital and green transformation, helping businesses operate more efficiently and sustainably. Biglead CRM supports businesses in empowering disadvantaged groups in society, improving equitable access to services, and contributing to the effective implementation of Resolution 68 of the Vietnamese Government .
In addition to the main prizes, the Organizing Committee also announced two supplementary prizes, each worth $15,000 in cash.
The Investment Fund's Choice Award was given to the Dayladau team, reflecting investors' confidence in the project's growth potential.
The Outstanding Impact Award was given to the PLANTNER team, recognizing the project's tangible contributions to sustainable development goals.
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. TECHFEST Vietnam 2025 marks a new mindset: innovation must be for people, for the community, and for a green, digital, and sustainable Vietnam.
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 - Mr. Le Toan Thang, Director of the National Center for Startup and Innovation Support, Department of Startups and Technology Enterprises, Ministry of Science and Technology.
Source: https://daidoanket.vn/vinh-danh-nhung-giai-phap-tang-truong-xanh-va-chuyen-doi-so.html
Comment (0)