Twelve individuals and organisations have been awarded the I-Star 2019 prizes, each worth 50 million VND (2,100 USD), for their excellent achievements in startup and innovation activities.

At the awarding ceremony (Photo: tuoitre.vn) 

The awards, given at a ceremony held in Ho Chi Minh City on October 19, featured four categories: standout newly-established startups; innovative solutions; media work that has great impacts on the community; and investors, consultants and incubator organisations that support innovation and start-ups.

Launched by the city’s Department of Science and Technology five months ago, the organising committee received 277 applications from which 40 were chosen for the final round.

The first category had three winners: BusMap Company Limited, 689Cloud Joint Stock Company, and TK25 Technology Joint Stock Company.

A STEAM model from the Le Quy Don Secondary School, an innovation in education model at KDI Education Joint Stock Company, and a simplified process to grant business and tax registration certificates from District 3’s economic bureau won the second category.

There were three winners in the third category for press work - a special radio programme by the Voice of Ho Chi Minh City, a diary posted on the city’s innovation website, and a lever for startups and innovation broadcast by Ho Chi Minh City Television.

The Centre for Business Incubation of Agricultural High Technology in Ho Chi Minh City (AHBI), the Topica Founder Institute, and the Women’s Initiative for Start-ups and Entrepreneurship (WISE) were honoured as the best incubators and supporters.

According to Director of the municipal Department of Science and Technology Nguyen Viet Dung, the I-Star awards contribute to promoting innovation and application of research outcomes into production and business, while encouraging the spirit of startup and innovation in the community to create breakthroughs for sustainable growth.

The event was part of the Ho Chi Minh City Innovation, Startup and Entrepreneurship Week held by the municipal People’s Committee and the Finnish Embassy in Vietnam from October 15-19.