The 2024 Green Entrepreneurship Contest was officially announced by the Center for Business Studies and Assistance and the Business Association of High-Quality Vietnamese Goods in HCM City on March 21, marking the 10th edition of this prestigious event. Scheduled to run until the end of October, the contest is open to individuals, collectives, enterprises, and cooperatives nationwide.
The contest invites participants from various sectors, including agriculture, forestry, fishery, food processing technology, biotechnology, agricultural and community tourism, climate smart livelihood models, circular economy, and social impact business models. Additionally, projects focused on the preservation and value addition to local resources are also encouraged.
Participants will be divided into two groups: Group A and Group B. Group A is tailored for individuals or teams who have recently introduced sample products to the market and have been operational for less than one year. Conversely, Group B is designated for individuals, teams from cooperatives, and companies that have commercialized their products and services and have been in operation for more than one year but less than five years.
Organizers will provide training by leading experts in technology, marketing, and other relevant areas to assist potential contestants in completing their business plans. Additionally, training will be extended to contestants in the semi-final and final rounds.
The semi-final round is slated for September and will take place in the three locations with the highest number of participants, with the final event set for October in HCM City.
With a total prize pool worth VNĐ760 million (US$30,691), including VNĐ210 million in cash, the contest aims to provide support and encouragement to aspiring entrepreneurs. According to Vũ Kim Hạnh, director of the BSA Center and chairwoman of the Business Association of High-Quality Vietnamese Goods, the contest aims to empower individuals to enhance their business capabilities in the agricultural and food sectors, supporting a green economy and sustainable development.
Over the past 11 years, the Green Entrepreneurship Programme has successfully nurtured a start-up ecosystem throughout the country, giving rise to nearly 1,000 start-up models. These entrepreneurs have played a pivotal role in innovating and developing sustainable agriculture, implementing good agricultural practice standards, and significantly contributing to job creation in rural, urban, and remote areas.
This year’s contest not only aims to recognize and reward innovative entrepreneurs, but also to organize seminars and workshops aimed at knowledge sharing, experiences, and market opportunities for start-ups. This will contribute towards encouraging innovation and creativity in the field of sustainable agriculture and the development of green products.
The 2024 Green Entrepreneurship Contest represents a meaningful step towards strengthening the green economy and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit for sustainable development in Vietnam.