The Da Nang Startup and Innovation Festival - SURF 2023 has opened up numerous opportunities for startups, ranging from attracting investment, seeking human resources, to business collaboration, and product development. Furthermore, startups also have the chance to learn from top experts, connect with investors, and engage with thousands of participants both domestically and internationally.
Delegates and Guests Visiting Booths
SURF 2023 is not just a platform for the elevation of ideas but also a showcase of the diversity and innovation within the startup community. With 195 booths showcased on the virtual exhibition platform - Vfair, and 81 direct exhibition booths featuring prominent startup products from Da Nang City and neighboring areas such as Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, each with unique characteristics, contributing to the success of the event.
A special highlight of the event is the Startup Innovation Contest - SURF 2023, which took place from September 7th to 20th , 2023, with nearly 30 projects and innovative startups participating. The results selected 06 outstanding projects that received awards, including 01 First Prize, 01 Second Prize, 03 Third Prizes, and 01 Encouragement Prize, with a total prize value of over 600 million VND and additional rewards from partner organizations for winning teams.
Delegates attending the opening session of SURF 2023
Within the framework of SURF 2023, on September 29th, the opening session took place with the participation of representatives from the Consulates General of China, South Korea, Laos; leaders from the Market Development Department for Science and Technology Enterprises, Ministry of Science and Technology; the Department of Information and Communication Technology, Ministry of Information and Communication; the Academy of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Science and Technology; the Swiss EP program in Switzerland, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam; Korean partners, and relevant supporting organizations, as well as the full spectrum of the startup ecosystem in the city and the Central Highlands region. Particularly, with more than 500 individuals, organizations, startup businesses in attendance, including over 30 international guests and 07 investors, creating a space for multilateral cooperation, encouraging cultural exchange, and sharing experiences.
Seminar "Building Da Nang - The Innovative Startup City"
Throughout the event, seminars took place both physically and online, such as the scientific seminar "Building Da Nang - the Innovative Startup City." Through this, organizations, businesses, individuals, startup experts, and state management agencies exchanged ideas, discussed, and proposed solutions to contribute to building and developing the startup ecosystem in the city. In addition, two seminars, "Unlocking Funding for Innovative Startup" and "International Integration of the Local Innovative Startup Ecosystem in the Globalization Context," featured speakers including domestic and international managers and investors who shared valuable experiences not only for future businesses and startups in the city but also for relevant government agencies in the process of building the innovative startup ecosystem, contributing to connecting elements within the city's innovative startup ecosystem with that on a national and international scale.
Pitching activities, "Idea Presentation - Investment Connection" and "Connecting Supply and Demand for Science and Technology Products, Technology Businesses," provided support for the development of potential startup ideas and projects. As a result, 18 projects participated in pitching sessions, connecting with 07 investors and investment funds both domestically and internationally.
Some images of cooperation signings taking place at the Festival
The Startup and Innovation Festival SURF 2023 is an opportunity for the city to connect the innovative startup ecosystem with a network of experts, investors, domestic and international startup communities. Through the event, various investment connection activities, product commercialization, promotion of the science and technology market were deployed, resulting in 08 memoranda of understanding and cooperation being directly signed at the event. The event attracted a diverse audience, with 45 accompanying units, nearly 70 press and media agencies in attendance and reporting, and over 3000 participants from both domestic and international locations.
SURF 2023 not only reflects the city's eagerness for innovation and continuous creativity but also marks a significant step in turning Da Nang into a leading startup and innovation hub in the region and the world.
Delegates taking commemorative photos at SURF 2023