FUNDGO Boosts the Startup Movement and Incubates Young Talents at “The Final Round and Award Ceremony of the Mekong Delta Startup Contest 2022 & Connecting Investment Funds, Startups, and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).”

On December 16, 2022, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry branch in Can Tho (VCCI Can Tho) cooperated with the Mekong Delta Startup Network to organize “The Final Round and Award Ceremony of the Mekong Delta Startup Contest 2022 & Connecting Investment Funds, Startups and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)”. The event took place at Muong Thanh Luxury Can Tho Hotel, Cai Khe Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City, attracting the participation of leaders of provinces, cities, projects, businesses and financial institutions in the region.

The contest aims to find innovative ideas, contribute to the region's startup ecosystem, and create the best environment for businesses to thrive. Compared to previous years, the Organizing Committee will prioritize contestants entering the final round to connect with domestic and foreign investors and investment funds, introduce to international startup competitions such as Graft, Sept, and also give them the opportunity to participate in a 2-week training program in Germany. 

The event was attended by leaders of provinces, cities, projects, businesses, and financial institutions.

The event welcomed Ms. Tran Hoai Phuong, Deputy Director of Can Tho Department of Science and Technology, Vice President of the Mekong Delta Startup Network; Mr. Nguyen Phuong Lam, Directors of VCCI Can Tho, President of the Mekong Delta Startup Network; Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuong Linh, Deputy Director of VCCI Can Tho; Mr. Trieu Thanh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Center for Investment Promotion and Enterprise Support in Ca Mau Province; Mr. Dang The Hien, Member of the Board of Directors of BambuUP; Mr. Nguyen Chi Cong, CEO of FUNDO’s managing company; Ms. Bui Thi Lan Anh, Member of FUNDGO; Ms. Do Hong Yen, CEO of Beacon Fund 

The final round depicted an energetic competition between the top ten projects, which included: Growing and producing Kim Ngan Hoa tea: protecting the environment and improving the value of Vietnamese medicinal herbs; Sustainable sterilization using electrochemical technology; Solar dried banana combined with experiential tourism; Safe cantaloupes grown hydroponically in net houses; CUAVN to leverage the Vietnamese crabs; Product development of snakehead fish sausage; Development of crocheting and embroidery of handmade products from wool and yarn; Research and production of organic fertilizers to detoxify salt alum to adapt to climate change; Preserve and enhance the value of Vietnamese Lekima; Sen Hong Tea - Herbal flower tea to relieve anxiety, improve sleep quality. The groups presented their ideas and answered questions directly from the Jury. 

With a breakthrough idea with high creativity, the project CUAvn to leverage the Vietnamese crabs has surpassed the teams to win the second prize. The third prize belongs to the project Sustainable sterilization using electrochemical technology; the project Product development of snakehead fish sausage won the Consolation Prize and the Most Impressive Female Entrepreneur Award; Sen Hong Tea - Herbal flower tea to relieve anxiety, improve sleep quality won the Most Impressive Startup Award; the project Growing and producing Kim Ngan Hoa tea: protecting the environment and improving the value of Vietnamese medicinal herbs became The Most Favorite Project and The Most Appealing Display Project. 

The organizers took photos with the teams.

Within the framework of the event, VCCI Can Tho cooperates with Beacon Fund to held the “Workshop and Connecting Investment Funds, Startups, and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)”, with the goal of connecting startups and SMEs with International Investment Funds in Vietnam, Venture Capital Funds (VFs), and other international Private Funds (PEs). In addition, the event provides immense opportunities for typical startup projects, business service providers, and investment funds to exhibit, connect, and introduce products. Innovative products of HanaGold Jewelry Joint Stock Company and Run Together Sport Technology Joint Stock Company, companies in the Fund’s ecosystem, were displayed at the booth, making a strong impression at the event. 

Numerous guests paid special attention to FUNDGO’s booth.

Sharing about the contest, Mr. Nguyen Chi Cong - Director of TRUSTpay Joint Stock Company, FUNDGO’s managing company, said: "Currently, startups and SMEs are considered as the backbone of the country's economy. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the quantity and quality of startups and SMEs. Therefore, FUNDGO values the significance and positive contributions of the Mekong Delta Startup Contest 2022 to the region's project and business recovery and development. We expect that the contest will grow in size, adding more value to the startup community in the Mekong Delta in particular and the country's startup ecosystem in general.".

Mr. Nguyen Chi Cong and Ms. Bui Thi Lan Anh represented the Fund to attend the event, which aims to build relationships with organizations and businesses.

The Mekong Delta Startup Contest 2022 & Connecting Investment Funds, Startups, and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) ended with a slew of notable accomplishments and imprints. The contest was a success in terms of providing a useful playground for startups and projects to gain more experience and knowledge for future development. At the same time, the event encourages young startups to have a passion for learning, research, and rapid integration with new global trends. 

Here are some images from the event: