"Business Incubator"
In Binh Duong, with the support of businesses and authorities, the first business incubator model was born, which is Becamex Business Incubator located at Eastern International University (EIU), has been operating in an international model, attracting 9 active technology companies. This is the first step for other exciting activities, developing an innovation startup ecosystem in Binh Duong.
Dr. Nguyen Van Phuc - President of EIU said: "We have put into operation of Business Incubators funded by Becamex IDC Corporation, operating on campus. In particular, the incubator is equipped with startup knowledge, creating an environment to stimulate creativity and innovation. Currently, there are a number of businesses established in this incubator, including businesses of students combined with lecturers and US businesses etc. To develop Engineering Faculty in the direction of both training and function of "Technology incubator", we also invested Lighting Labs; Fablab lab etc. in the Faculty. These laboratories help students inside and outside the school to have equipment to experiment, practice, manipulate experiment, not just "learn in theories". Even businesses that want to research and improve products can come to cooperate and use our labs. EIU expects to provide human resources but also create a startup environment, create a land attracting talented people to practically contribute to "Triple Helix Model" to build Smart City.
One of the typical startup businesses at Becamex Business Incubator, we have to mention Tran Huy Tuong, a 4th year student in finance, but has nearly two years as a CEO of PCBZONEVN Company. Tuong said that although the company is still quite young but PCBZONEVN had first orders, typically, a business has ordered to process motorcycle lights for export with an order value worth 2.7 billion dong. Tuong said that, the pride of establishing a company is not about profitable orders, but it is important that although starting with a very small scale, PCBZONEVN has built a corporate culture and has a professional assignment in the business segments of its company.
Tran Huy Tuong shares about the startup of PCBZONEVN Company (Photo: Xuan An)
Establish a Center for Community Initiative and Startup Support
Following the movement of 2016 and 2017 with 2 Hackathon contests of Binh Duong, in 2018, the units actively organized training courses on startup, innovation for officials and employees, lecturers and students as well as actively organized many competitions on initiatives, startup, towards finding unique ideas and feasible to put into practice or supported opening startups in Binh Duong. In particular, within the framework of the international event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of World Technopolis Association's establishment, Creative ideas for Binh Duong Smart City Contest 2018 has brought great resonance with many bright spots as the first time held at the two bridges of Vietnam and Korea, attracted about 120 participating teams, of which 22 teams from Korea.
Teams compete in the final round of Creative ideas for Binh Duong Smart City Contest 2018
According to Binh Duong Smart City Scheme, one of the action programs to promote startup and innovation in Binh Duong is necessary to create manufacturing labs and technology labs as well as establish a Center for Community initiative and Startup support.
Discussing about this issue, Dr. Nguyen Quoc Cuong - Director of Science and Technology Department of Binh Duong said, the project of establishing Binh Duong Center for Community initiatives and Startup support was approved by Provincial People's Committee. The center will play the initiating role, as the core connection, the first phase will focus on startup training programs, thereby promoting the formation of a startup club, an incubator network at universities, industrial parks and large businesses in the province. At the same time, the Center will connect and develop a network of Fablab and Techlabs, contributing to form a creative community; is a place to study and test community initiatives; is a place to initiate and develop practical labs (Living lab) to effectively implement Binh Duong Smart City Scheme.
The center will also focus on skills training in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM education) to meet the demand of quality human resources for the future. Regularly organize activities and events to attract and call attention of other partners in the startup ecosystem such as investors, venture capital funds, and large businesses in the region and throughout the country, strengthening public-private partnership as well as promote the formation of local venture capital fund. The center is an important link in spreading general development orientation in the province on development and the connection between Binh Duong startup ecosystem with ecosystems in the region and in the world.
Besides forming a strong and sustainable startup ecosystem in Binh Duong, the Center also contributes to increase the number of innovation businesses, science and technology businesses; promote local economic growth in depth on the basis of strengthening the contribution of science and technology; strengthening public-private cooperation, promote the connection between Triple Helix (State - Enterprise - School) in accordance with the development orientation of Binh Duong province at present. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Cuong added, the development orientation of Binh Duong Center for Community Initiatives and Startup Support is to strengthen connectivity in the field of scientific and technological applications under the Triple Helix model; and is a key bridge in forming and developing a unique startup ecosystem of Binh Duong province. Besides, the Center will also be a place to connect business incubators, startup clubs, Fablab, Techlab across the province.
Episode 4: Raising investment attraction