Quang Nam Spreads Creative Startups

After five years of implementing the Creative Startup Ecosystem, the startup community of Quang Nam province has formed a large network. Quang Nam province has been chosen by the Ministry of Science and Technology to host the National Startup Year 2023, with the theme “Quang Nam - Spreading the entrepreneurship spirit”.

Mr. Pham Ngoc Sinh, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Quang Nam province, Head of the Executive Board on supporting creative startups of the province, said: In 2019, the province announced the Creative Startup Ecosystem under the theme: “Quang Nam - An open land for creative startups”. In 2020, Quang Nam was chosen by the Ministry of Science and Technology to coordinate the startup network in the Central Coast-Central Highlands.

Open land for creative startups

At the national festival for innovation startups - TechFest Vietnam 2022 - held in Binh Duong province, the Ministry of Science and Technology officially announced the Vietnamese startup model “Open Innovation - Source of New Thinking” to adapt to the new context and connect globally in the context of the strong Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Up to now, the Quang Nam startup community has grown strongly and has formed a large network. The startup community interacts and supports each other regularly. Accepting failure as part of success is gradually recognized and committed by the creative startup community of Quang Nam province.

According to Mr. Pham Ngoc Sinh, open creative startup is about connection, resonance and diffusion - a new approach model of Vietnam launched in 2022 to expand and link with national and global programs and strategies. Localities always create different models, but constantly link to mobilize resources to complete and make up for the limited and deficient components of the startup ecosystem.

Chairman of Quang Nam Provincial People's Committee Le Tri Thanh shared that the spirit and traditional values of the province are a valuable and inspirational platform. According to Mr. Thanh, young creative entrepreneurs must always be passionate and committed to exploring, creating and expanding connections, learning to constantly rise and fulfilling their aspirations.

Connectivity, sustainable development and strong spread

The owner of the startup project “Bhnong Brown Rice - Bringing the scent of the forest to the street” - won the second prize at the national level in 2022, shared: “When we were lonely in the journey leaving the city for our hometown, and even more lonely in the middle of the mountains and forests in Hiep Duc district, to nurture the dream of “repaying the homeland”, I came across a network of startups from Quang Nam province that made me what I am today. And, today, I am aware of what I need to do to bring more value to the next startups, so that startups in Quang Nam province can be more sustainable and spread stronger”.

Mr. Pham Hong Quat, Director of the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Development (Ministry of Science and Technology), said: “Quang Nam has built a very unique and special startup ecosystem, capable of mobilizing all resources to support startups. It can be said that an open mindset in startups in Quang Nam province was shaped at the earliest and successfully connected regional and national networks. “Quang Nam is a very responsible locality that participates in the annual series of activities within the framework of the National TechFest,” affirmed Mr. Pham Hong Quat.

With three provincial-level programs, 13 sector-level programs and many coordination and linkages through separate activities, Quang Nam has now become the leading locality in the country in terms of cooperation programs. Most of the leading national startup organizations, experts and advisors have converged in Quang Nam province to organize or participate in forums, seminars, and training courses on the national and regional innovation startup ecosystem.

Mr. Dinh Viet Hoa, Chairman of the National Startup Association, stated: “The association is expanding its role in connecting national startups following the model of Quang Nam province. And, we are planning to invite Quang Nam to build and develop the association system in the Central Coast and Central Highlands.”

Phuong Anh, Vietnam Business Forum