Saigon Innovation Hub (SiHub) under the HCM City Department of Science and Technology on March 21 announced its programmes until 2020, with the aim of connecting the global start-up community.

The 10 SiHub programmes will prioritise connecting with international partners and global start-up support ecosystems. The programmes include Global Partnerships, Global Strategic Alliances, Global Events, Global Education, Global Research, Global Entrepreneurship, Global Social Impact, Global Culture, Global Policy and Global Think Tank.

SiHub looks to become an official connection portal between Viet Nam and the worlds’ innovative start-up community, hoping to make Viet Nam a start-up hub in Southeast Asia.

According to SiHub Managing Director Huynh Kim Tuoc, by 2020, SiHub targets to collect domestic and international resources to boost Viet Nam’s economic development by focusing on measures to promote international integration, start-ups and innovation.

SiHub will establish start-up ecosystem management boards for four key sectors, namely information technology, communication, food processing, which includes foodstuff, mechanics, automation, plastic, rubber, and pharmaceuticals.

Statistics show that Viet Nam currently has 1,800 start-ups, of which 834 operate in HCM City.

However, the country remains behind many regional players, such as Singapore and Malaysia, regarding its start-up and innovation support indexes. Most of Viet Nam’s start-ups are small-scale and yet to enter the capital-calling period.

Over the past two years, SiHub has supported 958 start-up projects and 15 incubators, helped build capacity and expand networks for more than 100 start-up consultants as well as trained 115 tertiary teachers on start-ups and innovation.

In 2018, it will work with innovative and start-up ecosystems of other nations to connect with international enterprises and communities while building a roadmap for global economic integration.

According to Nguyễn Phi Vân, chairwoman of the SiHub's Board of Advisors, SiHub has established ties with the innovative and start-up communities in South Korea, Malaysia, Germany and Singapore. – VNS