The Da Nang Innovation Startup Festival (SURF) plays a pivotal role in promoting, arousing and spreading the entrepreneurial spirit; and creating strong connections between resources and elements in the ecosystem; thereby, building and positioning Da Nang as the centre of innovation and startup in the country and the region.

The Da Nang - Seoul Innovation Space was launched during SURF 2023. Photo: VAN HOANG

Themed "Reaching Creativity - Global Connection", SURF 2024 will open in late August 2024 at the University of Science and Technology under the University of Da Nang.

This year’s event is expected to gather many elements in the innovation and startup ecosystem. It will provide the good opportunity for startup projects in the city and region to seek business opportunities, promote products and services, and expand investment and recruitment activities, hereby step by step forming a community of angel investors, venture capital funds, and startups in Da Nang. Up to now, the preparatory works for the event has been basically completed.

According to the municipal Department of Science and Technology, with the message "Da Nang - City of Innovation", SURF 2024 will feature many special activities. Notable among them will be virtual reality exhibition, online and offline innovation startup competition, startup & investor matching, international seminars and talk shows with the themes "Opportunities for semiconductor startups and pioneering technology" and "Model and network for developing startup clubs for students". Accordingly, elements in the city's innovation startup ecosystem will have the opportunity to share knowledge, experience, and the latest research in the field; as well as access new ideas and advanced technology methods.

Within the framework of the event, a Da Nang - Singapore and Da Nang - South Korea Innovation Investment Connection Forum will provide a good chance for experts, researchers, and managers to exchange ideas, and discuss and identify problems, opportunities, and challenges that the ecosystem is facing, thereby proposing appropriate solutions, strategies, and policies to promote the development of the innovation startup ecosystem.

During the forthcoming tech-event, the Da Nang - Singapore Innovation Space will make its debut, facilitating Da Nang-based startups to connect and cooperate with Singaporean ones.

Director of the Da Nang Department of Science and Technology Le Duc Vien (left) signing a cooperation agreement with the Viet Nam Innovation Network in Korea in 2023. Photo: VAN HOANG

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Science and Technology Le Thi Thuc said that SURF is an annual event, creating an environment for investment funds, investors and experts to connect with the startup community and elements in the domestic and international innovation startup ecosystems. The event will contribute to helping startups and businesses cooperate and share experiences, and find new partners in the field.

In addition, SURF will create a space for businesses and the startup community in Da Nang to develop creative ideas and promote new projects; as well as facilitate startups to access funds and investors to receive capital, financial support and necessary resources.

At the same time, it partly contributes to building a strong startup community; developing a network of connections between elements in innovative startup ecosystems; creating an environment to support and encourage the development of the startup community; inspiring, encouraging and supporting startups and young people to make contributions to the overall development of the startup ecosystems in Da Nang and the region.

“The theme of SURF 2024 emphasises the elements of creativity and global connection with a wide range of attractive and diverse contents. Therefore, the event will create an impressive highlight in the process of building and positioning Da Nang on the world startup map; as well as create opportunities for startups to connect and approach resources, knowledge and experience, thereby enhancing their competitiveness, product development, and domestic and international market expansion", Ms. Le Thi Thuc shared.

Reporting by VAN HOANG - Translating by M.DUNG, P.TRA