Ho Chi Minh City hopes to find agricultural start-up projects with high applicability and the ability to develop into commercial products through selection from 150 projects across the country.

On October 20, in Ho Chi Minh City, the semi-final round of the 2026 Innovative Startup Competition in the field of high-tech agricultural applications opened with the participation of 150 projects. The contest is directed by the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and organized by the Management Board of Ho Chi Minh City Hi-Tech Agricultural Park with the theme of circular agriculture.

Mr. Le Van Cua, Deputy Head of the Management Board of Ho Chi Minh City Hi-Tech Agricultural Park, said the value of a startup project lies not only in the novelty of the idea, but also in the ability to realize it, create competitive products and make practical contributions to the community.

Launched in early April, through the preliminary round, there were 150 projects in the semi-finals. During the two days of October 20-21, startup groups presented research results, received feedback from experts and continued to improve the project.

According to Mr. Cua, the organizing committee hopes that the companionship of experts, management agencies, organizations and businesses will contribute to promoting the formation of a generation of dynamic and creative agricultural startups. Projects come from individuals, start-up groups, students, research groups and businesses across the country, focusing on science and technology application solutions to improve agricultural production efficiency.

According to the organizers, projects are evaluated based on novelty, content and level of technological mastery, ability to solve practical problems, economic efficiency, environmental impact and commercialization prospects. These are criteria to identify models that not only have technological potential but also have the ability to be applied in production and business.

The competition has two tables with a total of 14 prizes. Group A is for students with a top prize worth 100 million VND. Group B is for individuals, start-up groups and businesses with first prize of 150 million VND. Excellent projects can be considered for support according to Resolution 20 of the City People's Council, with a budget of up to 400 million VND per project, to promote product completion and commercialization.

Với chủ đề nông nghiệp tuần hoàn, cuộc thi khuyến khích các giải pháp sử dụng hiệu quả tài nguyên, tận dụng phụ phẩm, giảm phát thải và tối ưu hóa quy trình sản xuất. Các hướng công nghệ được quan tâm gồm công nghệ sinh học, chế biến và bảo quản sau thu hoạch, trí tuệ nhân tạo, Internet vạn vật (IoT), tự động hóa.

Through the competition, Ho Chi Minh City aims to discover and support agricultural startup models capable of converting research results into products, solutions and viable business models, contributing to the development of an innovation ecosystem and promoting the transition to green, sustainable agriculture.

Coming out of the 2022 contest with first prize, Le Trung Hieu, founder of the Bambi Hana project - developing a dyeing solution to keep flowers fresh for a long time, became this year's sponsor. He said the victory gave the project the opportunity to promote, connect and find markets.

Le Tuyet