The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has launched a startup support project, called NINJA which stands for Next Innovation with Japan.

JICA-sponsored project NINJA is an initiative to support entrepreneurs to create business innovation in developing countries. Through the project, JICA intends to collaborate with various stakeholders to develop entrepreneurialism, identify issues experienced by entrepreneurs, make policy recommendations, strengthen corporate management capacity, promote collaboration among businesses from across all industry sectors, match up with Japanese companies, and promote investment.

Viet Nam is the first ASEAN country for Project NINJA to launch it's inaugural accelerator programme called NINJA Accelerator in Ho Chi Minh City.

Participants at NINJA Accelerator will have the opportunity to get dedicated mentorship from experienced industry experts and seasoned entrepreneurs, as well as access to JICA’s network of nearly 500 partners and investors such as the Singapore-based Nanyang Technological University, the Software Technology Park under the Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City, and the Saigon Hi-tech Park Incubation Centre.

NINJA Accelerator in Ho Chi Minh City is looking for start-ups or creative solutions to contribute to the 6 selected United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) namely poverty reduction; good health and well-being; quality education; affordable and clean energy; industry, innovation and infrastructure; and climate action.

You can submit your application on the website at https://www.jicaninjaasia.com/ until 16 October.

Top 60 ideas will be selected to participate in the Intense 4h Startup Pitching Game.

The top 30 finalists will advance to NINJA Accelerator in HCMC. Between January and March 2021, the participating startups will be supported to build viable business models in the Viet Nam market.

At the DEMO DAY which is slated to take place on 16 April 2021, the teams will pitch to potential accelerators, venture builders and investors from all across our partners’ networks –Viet Nam, Japan and Singapore.

By MINH LE – Translated by M.D