Vietnam Launches Green Entrepreneurship Contest to Drive Sustainable Innovation

The 2024 edition of Vietnam’s flagship Green Entrepreneurship Contest officially kicked off this month, aiming to unearth the country’s most promising sustainable startups. Organized jointly by the Business Studies and Assistance Center and Business Association of High Quality Vietnamese Goods, the decade-long competition seeks out green businesses across agriculture, food processing, biotech and community tourism.

This year’s contest is divided into early-stage and established company categories. Entrepreneurs who have launched products within the past year compete in Group A, while more mature startups operating for 1-5 years are in Group B. Both groups stand to win a portion of the 750 million VND (30,000 USD) total prize pool.

To support contestants, organizers have scheduled mentorship sessions through July on topics like sustainable technologies, local resource utilization and marketing. Top performers will receive further coaching ahead of the September semi-finals in three regions. The national final takes place in Ho Chi Minh City the following month.

According to Chairwoman Vu Kim Hang, the competition also fosters community through workshops on knowledge sharing and partnership opportunities. Now in its second decade, the Green Entrepreneurship Program has incubated nearly 1,000 green startups across Vietnam. These agri-preneurs effectively leverage indigenous assets to develop health-conscious, environmentally-friendly products and jobs in rural areas.

By driving sustainable innovation from the ground up, the contest empowers a new generation of entrepreneurs committed to eco-friendly agriculture. Past winners have shown staying power in Vietnam’s market by implementing standards that protect both profits and the planet. With support like expert training and cash prizes, the 2024 edition aims to discover Vietnam’s next crop of visionary green startups.