On October 25th , Mr. Duong Hoang Van Ban, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Da Nang City, and Head of the working delegation, along with members of the Department of Planning and Investment of Da Nang City, and the Da Nang Startup and Innovation Support Center, visited and worked at the Google Asia-Pacific Region Headquarters, Block 71, and the Quest Ventures capital fund.

At the Google Asia-Pacific Region Headquarters, the delegation was introduced by Google representatives to the innovative and green workspace model, emphasizing creativity, sustainability, and community connection. Beyond aesthetics, Google's offices reflect the evolving nature of work, adapting to the changing preferences and behaviors of the workforce, especially in the technology sector. Google's office designs are inspiring not only for their employees but also for the entire surrounding space. This is a new design trend that is essential to explore and apply to innovative and creative spaces in the city of Da Nang in the future.

The Delegation took souvenir photos with Google Representatives

Based on some activities in which Da Nang has collaborated with Google in the past, such as collaborating with the Google Developer Community Central Vietnam to organize programming competitions, startup competitions, technology forums, the working delegation learned about Google's policies supporting innovative startups. These include startup support programs and startup acceleration programs, which are essential programs to support innovative startup businesses in the coming time.

During the visit to Block 71, the working delegation was introduced to the experience of transforming an abandoned automobile assembly factory into a leading innovative hub in the region, often referred to as the Silicon Valley of Asia. Block 71 currently houses around 800 startups, with over 4,500 personnel, closely linked with the research centers of the National University of Singapore, technology corporations, government office branches, investment funds, etc. From the experiences of building and operating this Block 71 complex, Da Nang will study to apply them to innovative and creative spaces in the city in the future. Additionally, the working delegation also learned more about how to network, gather talent, and collaborate between parties to efficiently develop the complex, creating a favorable development environment for startup businesses.

During the working session with Quest Ventures, a venture capital fund based in Singapore that has been part of the Block 71 ecosystem for many years, Mr. Jame Tan, Managing Partner of the fund, introduced the investment criteria, activities, and support that the fund has deployed. In the past, Quest Ventures has invested in 145 startups in the Asia-Pacific region, with three startups becoming unicorns (startups valued at $1 billion or more). Quest Ventures is not only an investor but also a reliable partner, supporting businesses from the startup stage to an international scale.

Within the framework of the working session, Mr. Vo Đuc Anh, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Innovation Startup Support Center, on behalf of the working delegation, introduced the startup ecosystem of Da Nang.

After the introduction, both parties discussed and agreed on the expected cooperation content in the coming time, such as training and networking with angel investment funds, training and accelerating startup incubation programs, promoting and connecting in the innovative startup ecosystem, and Da Nang City's Department of Science and Technology supporting workspace for Quest Ventures in Da Nang (VietNam Innovation Hub providing venue support). The signing ceremony is expected to take place within the framework of the National Techfest Program 2023.

The collaboration between Da Nang and Quest Ventures is expected to open new doors for startups in Da Nang, helping them connect with the international market and receive the necessary support for development.

The visit and work at the Google Asia-Pacific Region Headquarters, Block 71, and the Quest Ventures venture capital fund is not only an opportunity to share experiences and learn from international partners but also a significant step in creating a dynamic and exciting startup environment in Da Nang. The combination of local innovative startup activities and support from international organizations promises to open new opportunities for startup businesses in Da Nang in the future.

The Working Group visited Block 71

The Working Group worked with Quest Venture Fund