Zone Start-ups Vietnam, a start-up accelerator, has launched the Next Big Idea contest to help start-ups break into North America through Toronto city in Canada, one of the fastest growing technology centres in the world.

Zone Start-ups Vietnam is a programme launched by Toronto-based Ryerson Futures Inc. in collaboration with partners in Viet Nam including UniBrands, VinaCapital, Trung Thuy Group, and TalentNet.

Just like in Canada and India, Zone Start-ups will work closely with Vietnamese partners to provide start-ups with market validation and customer acquisition assistance.

It will collaborate with existing incubators and co-working spaces in the local market and work with promising start-ups that require support, mentoring, access to customers and, in select cases, funding.

According to Mohamed Lachemi, president of Ryerson University in Canada, the contest, first started in India in 2013, has helped more than 30 companies expand their international networks by connecting with potential customers in North America.

By bringing the Next Big Idea contest to Viet Nam, the organisers expect to give Vietnamese start-ups the best opportunities to establish connections with partners in the US, Canada and India.

Applications for the contest will be accepted until January 31 and the winner be will announced next March. — VNS