In order to reach new heights, instead of going alone during their development journeys, startups really need support and cooperation with others. Therefore, 16 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed between businesses and startups at home and abroad at the recent Da Nang Innovation Startup Festival - SURF 2024 are considered to be a solid stepping stone, giving startups wings to fly high and far.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Ngoc, Deputy Director of DNES (middle) signs an MoU with Galaxy Communications & Events and BQ Training, hoping to create a strong startup community. Photo: H.T

Pioneer in supporting startups

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Ngoc, the Deputy Director of Da Nang Business Incubator (DNES) shared the joy when DNES recently signed MoUs with partners. DNES was the only business to sign MoUs with four businesses to give support in terms of strategies, resources, financial consulting and basic knowledge to build the fields of Blockchain and Web 3.0. Without hiding her joy, Ms. Ngoc happily said that with the support of the Da Nang Department of Science and Technology, DNES spent many months joining discussions with businesses about specific issues to provide development opportunities and help each other with common needs.

Over the years, DNES has realized a fact that in Da Nang, and the Central Viet Nam as a whole, there are many young people who have acquired enough knowledge and skills but do not have the opportunity or timely support to start their own businesses. Therefore, signing the MoUs is important as a stepping stone because DNES needs support and assistance from many parties in various fields, in order to incubate more reputable resources with higher quality and create a solid foundation for developing a strong startup community in the future.

According to Ms. Ngoc, DNES is an incubator model, a pioneer in supporting startups in the city with the mission of building a strong, dynamic and creative startup ecosystem. Over the past eight years, DNES has supported and incubated more than 90 startup projects and built a startup community. During the integration phase, DNES realized that in order for the startup community to develop more, it needs the connection of a larger ecosystem to give more support startup projects.

At SURF, DNES signed a MoU with the goal of receiving, connecting, training quality instructors, and building a startup acceleration programme for those in the startup phase in the pioneering technology field.

Specifically, in cooperation with JDI Group, DNES promotes innovation and support the development of the startup ecosystem. This combination not only provides resources, mentoring programmes, and better investment opportunities for startups, but also creates a strong and sustainable startup environment.

Joining hands with Coinex Viet Nam, DNES hopes to develop the startup ecosystem and Blockchain technology in Viet Nam, and together seek and use resources to build an acceleration programme for those related to the Blockchain and Web 3.0 fields in the future, opening up many opportunities for startups.

As for Galaxy Communications & Events and BQ Training, DNES aims for a sustainable startup story.

“Recently, thanks to these cited MoUs, DNES has coordinated with Galaxy Communications & Events and BQ Training to organise the 'Train The Mentor 2024' course with the desire to develop a team of mentors with enough skills and knowledge to support startup projects. The event attracted the participation of nearly 40 startups, bringing higher-than-expected effects. In the future, we will try to build regular programmes and courses to support startups during their journeys to reach new heights,” Ms. Ngoc excitedly said.

Seize opportunities for development

Following DNES, Abogo signed MoUs with businesses. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hoang, the Director of Abogo Trading JSC, emotionally said that in order to make strong progress and be eligible to sign such MoUs, Abogo went through countless ups and downs in ten years. Coming to SURF, Abogo recharged more energy to pursue its dream of becoming the leading accommodation brand in Viet Nam, and Asia at large, and at the same time, building a community of loyal customers based on service quality on the foundation of business ethics and sustainable values for the community and partners.

“Abogo is a business providing high-class accommodation services. However, developing a nationwide and international network depends not only on technology but also on international digital payment solutions. Abogo cannot be alone on the path of starting a business, so mutual support is needed for both sides to develop together. Therefore, thanks to the connection and support of relevant agencies, Abogo had the opportunity to sign MoUs and meet many domestic and foreign partners", said Mr. Hoang.

At SURF 2024, Abogo signed MoUs with the Digital Tourism Technology Co.Ltd and MetaDAP JSC to develop technology software and applications for users for direct management.

In addition, Abogo signed MoUs with Metaverse Village and Onefin VietNam JSC to jointly build comprehensive technology solutions in the field of digital payments to develop international connection technology.

In the coming time, Abogo will build a smart management technology platform in the tourism industry and expect to create international brand value, bringing users the experience of comfortable and modern resort facilities”, 

Not only DNES, Abogo, at SURF 2024, there were many other MoUs signed between domestic and foreign enterprises to support development in various fields.

It can be said that SURF 2024 increased the connection among enterprises with the same direction to seek companionship, bring benefits and build a strong network at home and aboard in the future.

According to Ms. Le Thi Thuc, the Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Science and Technology, the content of the MoU is to develop together sustainably through three factors. Firstly, it helps promote capacity, expertise and internal advantages and offer training to the ecosystem community of all parties. Secondly, it connects and shares the network of experts, investment funds, angel investors and instructs potential customers to do business and cooperate with new partners. Thirdly, it shares resources in terms of facilities, human resources, equipment, technology, experience and content related to joint activities on innovative startups and other fields.

If startups know how to take advantage of opportunities, exploit the maximum resources of the partner ecosystem, along with support in technology and market development experience, there will be many opportunities for outstanding development strides.

Reporting by HUYNH TUONG VY - Translating by A.THU