After nearly a decade of formation and development, the innovation and startup ecosystem in the city of Da Nang has become increasingly comprehensive, thanks to the active participation and collaboration of various key stakeholders. This progress reflects the concerted efforts of the city's authorities, the Department of Science and Technology, along with various units, businesses, and the startup community. Together, they contribute to transforming Da Nang into an attractive hub for innovation and startup endeavors.

Delegates taking commemorative photos at the international seminar "Development of the Innovative Startup Ecosystem in Da Nang and the Role of People's Diplomacy in Mobilizing Resources. Photo: PV

10 Years - 3 Development Stages

In the journey of building and developing the Science and Technology Startup ecosystem (S&T SE) in Da Nang, it can be divided into three stages based on the level of ecosystem development. The years 2014-2015 are identified as the "inspiration and aspiration" stage. Events and programs activated within the ecosystem, sparking entrepreneurial spirit, include "Da Nang Entrepreneur Year 2014," "Da Nang Startup Development 2016," and more. The formation and positive activities of startup support organizations, such as the Entrepreneurship Creation Club (9Start Lab), the Coordination Council for the City's Startup Network, the Young Innovation Club Da Nang (Association of Science and Technology), and clubs in universities like the BACH KHOA Startup Club (University of Science and Technology - University of Da Nang) and the Duy Tan Startup Club (Duy Tan University), laid the foundation for a high-quality workforce passionate about innovative startups.

Additionally, shared workspaces were established, and several first business incubation programs were implemented, including the "100 Da Nang Entrepreneurs Seeds" program by the Center for Small and Medium Enterprise Support and Development Da Nang (DATADC); the "Creative Ideas and Information Technology Startup Incubation" program by the Da Nang College of Information Technology; and the incubation program of the Innovation Garden (Duy Tan University's Microsoft Innovation Center). Many events and programs were organized to create an environment encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, especially in technology startups. Numerous startup groups emerged, developing diverse startup ideas and products covering various sectors, including high technology, commerce, manufacturing, services, and tourism.

Building on the achievements of the initial stage, the years 2016-2019 were identified as the shaping development stage. This period witnessed the active involvement and resolute direction of all levels of government, organizations, businesses, and entrepreneurs. In this stage, the startup ecosystem in Da Nang essentially took shape, meeting the demand for startup support and development and initiating cooperation with international organizations. Da Nang issued four initiatives to promote innovation and startup activities: "Supporting the National Innovation Startup Ecosystem until 2025" for the period 2017-2018 in Da Nang; "Developing Da Nang's Innovation Startup Ecosystem until 2020, Vision until 2030"; "Supporting the National Innovation Startup Ecosystem until 2025" in the city in 2019; and "Supporting the National Innovation Startup Ecosystem until 2025" in the city in 2020.

At the same time, there was a strong focus on incubation activities at promotion and support organizations, as incubation is the heart of the startup ecosystem. Startup incubation organizations were established, including the Da Nang Business Incubator (DNES), the Song Han Startup Incubation Center, Evergreen Labs Incubator - Innovation and Startup Center (Da Nang Department of Science and Technology), the Da Nang Information Technology Business Incubator, and the High-tech Business Incubation Program of the Da Nang High-tech Park. Additionally, the startup ecosystem gradually formed mentor networks (startup advisors), investor networks, support organization networks, shared workspaces, intensified communication efforts, and organized prominent startup events. During this period, several projects won top prizes in national innovation and startup competitions, including AntBuddy, Minh Hong, S&E. Other startup businesses also succeeded in attracting investment, such as Zody and Hekate.

Moving into the third stage, the resource convergence platform stage (2020-2022), foundational resources began to converge and connect, laying the groundwork for the subsequent acceleration stage, with the issuance of a series of policies to promote the startup ecosystem. The city enhanced its network connection with elements in the ecosystem through participation in national and international innovation and startup events, exhibitions, and competitions. Businesses, incubators, and teams from the city achieved high results. Da Nang also connected with international partners, investors, and overseas customers, promoting cooperation and collaboration in incubation activities. Simultaneously, efforts were made to develop infrastructure and technology to serve innovation and startup activities.

An appealing destination for innovative startups

Introducing the Da Nang - Seoul Innovation Space at the Da Nang Innovation and Startup Day 2023. Photo: PV

According to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the innovative startup ecosystem in Da Nang has been forming and developing with diverse interconnected elements that mutually support each other. Many elements, both in terms of quality and quantity, actively participate in the ecosystem, including universities, investment funds, incubators, startup support organizations, and innovative startup communities in the area. The startup ecosystem is also deepening, with businesses implementing numerous technology-driven and intellectual property-based solutions to foster more sustainable development. As a result, many businesses in the city are growing, gaining access to and attracting foreign investment.

Associate Professor Nguyen Huu Nhat Minh, in charge of research at the University of Information Technology and Communication Vietnam - Korea, acknowledges that Da Nang has a favorable environment and potential for innovative startups. However, startup "seeds" are currently scattered across universities. There needs to be coordination among these elements to bring startup ideas to incubators, avoiding the waste of valuable ideas and enhancing connectivity. Universities require support and coordination from incubators to organize and promote the spread of new entrepreneurial thinking. The city and its units need to establish platforms to promote potential and motivate students to be more confident in entrepreneurship. Additionally, the expert network of universities and research institutions can support businesses in accessing and developing new technologies.

On the other hand, according to Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thanh, Director of Operations at the Song Han Startup Incubator (SHi), the city and its units should change their approach to support, delving into entrepreneurial education and supporting organizations in understanding entrepreneurial activities. This will help shape innovative thinking and sustainable development. Da Nang has many domestic and international experts supporting the startup ecosystem; however, the connection and maintenance of this network are still fragmented, lacking a clear direction for collaboration. Therefore, the city needs to implement more connecting activities to leverage these resources. Moreover, organizing larger-scale startup competitions to connect localities, create a large playground, and facilitate interaction among startups, and changing the mindset to attract investors to Da Nang and expand to local businesses are solutions that will strengthen and sustain the ecosystem. In addition, strategic and long-term science and technology tasks connected to external elements, expanding based on Da Nang's creative space to become a core nucleus, attracting a strong regional development network, should be carried out.

Ms. Le Thi Thuc, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, mentioned that in 2024, the city and the Department of Science and Technology will continue to accompany and support innovative startups, develop technological solutions, startup projects, and intellectual assets. They will focus on building and proposing specific policy mechanisms for Da Nang, including policies on innovative entrepreneurship, to be submitted to the National Assembly. The city will improve technical infrastructure, support services for startups, establish operational mechanisms for the innovation space at Software Park No. 2, and create a National Creative Startup Support Center in Da Nang. "The city will continue to connect investments with the international community, inviting investment funds, startup businesses, and potential foreign partners in startups to the city. From there, Da Nang aims to become an international destination for startups and innovation with regional influence," said Ms. Thuc.

VIET AN