Techfest 2023 at TTU: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Future Building Summary

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On November 4, 2023, Techfest Long An 2023 was held at Tan Tao University (TTU) with the aim of promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity in various fields where Vietnam has strengths and attracts investment, such as education technology, healthcare technology, and financial technology. Simultaneously, efforts were made to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem with the participation of government authorities, large corporations, and experts from both domestic and international backgrounds to address new economic, social, and environmental challenges at the national and global levels.

The Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Future Building event in Long An featured a series of exciting activities, with the following key information:

The opening ceremony of the Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Future Building event took place at 8:30 AM on November 4, 2023, at Tan Tao University (Tan Tao University Avenue, Tan Duc E.City, Duc Hoa, Long An province). The event was organized by the Long An Department of Science and Technology, with the guidance of the Provincial People’s Committee.

During the opening ceremony, there will be activities introducing HUBs for various Villages: The Student-Startup Village in Long An, led by Tan Tao University, and the Design Thinking Village in Long An, led by the Provincial Center for Application, Technology, Information, and Science & Technology.In addition, there will be a long-term collaboration agreement aimed at promoting the establishment and development of the Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Future Building Ecosystem in Long An between the Long An Department of Science and Technology and various entities, including Tan Tao University, Long An University of Industry and Trade, Song Han Incubator, and various Techfest Villages.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong, Deputy Director in charge of the Southern Affairs Division at the Ministry of Science and Technology, delivered the opening speech.
Mr. Nguyen Minh Hai, Director of the Department of Science and Technology in Long An province, delivered a speech during the seminar on “Activities Promoting Innovation and Creativity in Long An Province.”
 Dr. Nguyen Mai Lam, Deputy Rector of Tan Tao University, spoke during the opening session.

Visiting the exhibition booths within the framework of Techfest Long An on November 4, 2023, at the campus of Tan Tao University, with nearly 60 registered booths. Among them, there are almost 30 businesses showcasing their scientific and technological products, many products from young innovative enterprises, as well as businesses from partner provinces and local enterprises.

The exhibition aims to create an environment that connects science and technology with business operations, promoting the transfer of advanced technology and scientific achievements into production and daily life. It supports businesses, startups in developing ideas, entrepreneurial projects, innovation in technology, equipment, and products to enhance competitive capabilities in the integration and development of the province.

Furthermore, it creates opportunities for networking, collaboration, technology exchange, product promotion, and market expansion for provinces in the region with other provinces and cities within the country.

Within the event, there will be various workshops, conferences, roundtable discussions, and competitions aimed at discussing innovative solutions and the application of digital transformation in production, management, and business development, addressing how to promote innovation and creativity in Long An province. Topics will include the role of universities in collaborating with and supporting businesses in applying science and technology, innovation, and nurturing entrepreneurial enterprises; intellectual property rights within the entrepreneurial ecosystem; the journey of incubating innovative startups, shaping and developing new entrepreneurial talents.

Additionally, there will be a long-term collaboration agreement to strengthen the development of the Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Future Building Ecosystem in Long An between the Long An Department of Science and Technology and entities such as Tan Tao University, Long An University of Industry and Trade, Song Han Incubator (Shi), and various Techfest Villages.

The Long An Department of Science and Technology, represented by its Director, Mr. Nguyen Minh Hai, signed a cooperation agreement with Tan Tao University, with Dr. Nguyen Mai Lam, Vice Provost of the university, acting as the university’s representative.

The Long An Department of Science and Technology signed a cooperation agreement with the Techfest Student-Startup Village.

Dr. Nguyen Mai Lam, Vice Provost of Tan Tao University, signed a cooperation agreement with the Techfest Vietnam Student-Startup Village, which is managed by Dr. Le Thi Thanh Tam, the Village Head, and the National University – Ho Chi Minh City’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center.

This will highlight innovative solutions and the application of digital transformation in production, management, and business development, as well as the role and application of Design Thinking to stimulate the creation of innovative entrepreneurial ideas and projects.

The forum and dialogue with the theme, “Building and Developing the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem in Long An Province,” co-hosted by the Long An Department of Science and Technology and the leadership representatives of the Ministry of Science and Technology, including Dr. Pham Hong Quat, Director of the Market Development and Business Development Department of Science and Technology, will focus on the role of government and Creative Startup Support Centers in the innovation ecosystem, share experiences in local innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems, and enhance the integration of resources within the startup ecosystem.

The closing session of the Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Future Building event in Long An Province in 2023 will announce the results of the Long An Province 2023 Innovation and Entrepreneurship competition, summarize the main activities of the event, and honor and award organizations and individuals who have achieved prizes in the competition and contributed to the development of the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Long An Province

The finals of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Idea Competition for students at Tan Tao University will take place on the afternoon of November 4, 2023, at Tan Tao University, Long An. This will mark the conclusion of the activities of Techfest Long An 2023, with the participation of 6 startup projects from across the province competing in the finals. This event will open the next phase of networking, nurturing, development, and motivation to drive Entrepreneurship and Innovation activities in Long An Province.

The first prize goes to the idea: “Building the Syrup Melonmilk Brand from VietGAP Net Melons at TTU” presented by the team led by Nguyen Gia Kien from Tan Tao University High School for the Gifted.
The second prize is awarded to the idea: “Creating a Handmade Beauty Product Brand from Sunflowers” presented by the team led by Vo Thi Y Nhi from Tan Tao University.

The third prize is shared by the following ideas:

– Entrepreneurial model with MUNITY coffee grounds by the team led by Le Huynh Dang Khoa from Tan Tao University.

– Green Natural idea by the team led by Pham Hoang Anh from Tan Tao University.

Encouragement prizes go to:

– Handmade soap business (LEAF SOAP idea) by the team led by Do Nguyen Thao Vy from Tan Tao University.

– Joint Stock Company researches, produces, and develops products from pineapple leaf fibers (ECO-Z idea) by the team led by Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh from Tan Tao University.

In addition, as part of TechFest Long An 2023, Long An Province has awarded prizes to outstanding startup projects and ideas with promising futures. Following the success of TechFest Long An 2023, the province’s entrepreneurship and innovation scene holds the promise of achieving new milestones in the near future.

TECHFEST Long An 2023: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Future Building will be a gathering to connect resources supporting the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem for the provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta and neighboring areas. It will provide an opportunity for the various elements within the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem to meet, share experiences in building and developing this ecosystem, and showcase potential entrepreneurial and innovative projects and models to domestic and international investors and investment funds.