Digital transformation and the development of a knowledge-based economy, along with innovative startups, are not only global trends but also urgent requirements for sustainable economic development. Da Nang, as a leading locality in developing its startup ecosystem, is continuously enhancing its mechanisms, infrastructure, and particularly its support policies to foster a spirit of innovation within the business community.
The Da Nang Innovative Startup Support Centre organized a conference to introduce, publicise and guide the regulations and procedures of four specific policies on science, technology and innovation issued by the municipal People's Council. Photo: TRAN TRUC
Synchronising solutions
In recent times, the municipal People's Committee has concretised the strategies, programmes, and projects of the Central Government and issued mechanisms and policies for the development of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation.
In particular, the city has prioritised supporting enterprises in technological innovation and innovative startups. To remove difficulties, obstacles and bottlenecks in the current period, the city has proposed specific and outstanding policy mechanisms in the fields of science, technology and innovation stated in 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 the city.
Additionally, the city has focused on increasing investment and completing infrastructure. Specifically, the project to expand and upgrade the Biotechnology Centre to serve research and development in the South Central region has been approved. Investment procedures for projects of the Laboratory combining small-scale production of advanced semiconductor packaging technology (Lab-Fab), and the Artificial Intelligence Lab as a place to support research, testing, deploying models and developing products for small and medium-sized enterprises, science and technology enterprises, research groups and startups, have been carried out.
On the other hand, the city has strengthened cooperation with international partners such as the US, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Sweden, Finland, China, Singapore, and Australia to mobilise international resources, connect investments and increase access to external resources for the city's startup community.
Prioritising support for business community
Based on Resolution No. 328/2020/NQ-HDND of the Da Nang People's Council stipulating the content and level of expenditure from the state budget to support the innovative startup ecosystem in Da Nang by 2025, the city has developed 189 out of the 200 projects (reaching 94.5%) and established 83 out of the100 innovative startups (reaching 83%).
At the same time, the city has sought potential startup projects through competitions with an average of 50 participating projects/year and supporting product introduction and connection for about 200 projects/year.
In 2024, the city incubated 19 projects to develop products, perfect technology, produce trial products, and commercialise products. 11 of them were developed into innovative startups.
Many events were organised to connect the innovative startup ecosystem such as "Da Nang Student Scientific Research Competition", "Young Creativity" Festival, and Innovative Startup Festival. Among them, the Da Nang Innovation Startup Festival (SURF) 2024 attracted 30 prestigious domestic and international speakers and experts, and thousands of delegates. In addition, the Da Nang Venture and Angel Summit (DAVAS) 2024 was attended by 10 investment funds, venture and angel capitalists, and 20 domestic and foreign speakers. It featured 3 seminars on startups. 30 outstanding projects participated in pitching and 1:1 connection with investors and investment funds.
As an important clue of the Da Nang city's innovation and startup ecosystem, the Innovative Startup Support Centre under the municipal Department of Science and Technology concentrates on bringing science and technology achievements closer to people from all walks of life as well as organizations and businesses in the city.
The centre also maintains and operates online databases and the Da Nang Innovation and Startup information portal to better serve the needs of searching and looking up information on science and technology and innovation and startup in the city.
Mr. Nguyen Viet Toan, Director of the Centre, revealed that in the coming time, the centre will strengthen its connection activities to support innovative startup projects to access experts, investors, investment funds and businesses in the same field at home and abroad.
On the other hand, it will act as a bridge to reinforce the connection with investors, investment funds and experts in South Korea and Singapore to maintain activities at the Da Nang – Seoul and Da Nang - Singapore innovation spaces; and connect with international startup ecosystems.
DA NANG Today
|
PUBLIC SERVICE CONTACT CENTER: (0236) 1022 or *1022 (free service charge) |
