Vietnam Challenge for Environment launched in Hanoi

Co-launched by the US Embassy in Vietnam in partnership with Hatch and Swiss EP, the event will match researchers with entrepreneurs and encourage collaboration between universities, the startup community, and the private sector to create sustainable and long-term solutions to treating agricultural, industrial, and household wastes, as well as solving plastic, carbon, and chemical pollution problems. 

Fenghua Wang, the US Department of State’s Regional Public Engagement Officer for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, said through the challenge, the US Embassy is committed to nurturing viable, sustainable, and scalable solutions to address such challenges. 

She stressed the need to raise public awareness of environmental protection, which she said, requires the joint efforts of organisations, units, and the community. 

The challenge will take place from August 24 to November 8, 2018, during which researchers and entrepreneurs will present their ideas and explore the open networking space to form high-performance teams. 

They will have a chance to join an intensive three-day camp to help entrepreneurs discover their key customers and develop their products based on customers’ demand. 

During the incubation period, teams will regularly meet their mentors and attend workshops to refine their business models to achieve fundable stages by investors. 

The best six teams will receive seed funds, publicity and exposure, and be given the chance to pitch to notable investors