Techfest Hanoi 2023, with the theme "Hanoi agglutinates the Capital Region - Creativity and Development", gathered delegates from various provinces and cities to seek initiatives and promote Hanoi's leadership and connectivity in the capital's startup and innovation ecosystem and with neighboring localities.

Deputy Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Le Hong Son made the statement at the opening ceremony of Techfest Hanoi 2023 on October 12 in Hanoi.

Le Hong Son, Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee. Photos: The Hanoi Times

Son went on to say that Hanoi is at the forefront nationwide in implementing strategies and policies related to science, technology and innovation. The city is constantly reaffirming its place, function and ability to drive economic growth and expand partnerships, cooperation and support for the development of the capital region's localities and the nation.

He proposed that the city's departments and agencies accelerate the online platform connection between Hanoi's startup and innovation ecosystem and the national startup and innovation ecosystem. The goal is for each university and research institute to become a center of innovation and creativity, contributing to providing and pooling resources for the ecosystem.

Son highlighted the establishment of the Hanoi Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, which will bring together, guide, and connect entities within the city's startup and innovation ecosystem and neighboring localities while providing support services to innovative startups.

"The center will attract and mobilize domestic and international resources for investment in human capital and finance for startups and innovation," he said.

According to Son, Hanoi's startup and innovation activities have been vibrant and robust in recent years, with about 1,000 innovative startups out of a total of 3,800 nationwide (accounting for 26.32%).

There are 32 business incubators, 38.1% of the total incubators nationwide, and another 14 organizations offering business acceleration programs (accounting for 40%).

"These figures have been steadily increasing in recent years, demonstrating the active participation of the community in the development of the ecosystem," said Son, stressing that the city has implemented various mechanisms and policies to support startups and innovation, thereby promoting the development of their ecosystem.

Attendees at the event visit a booth with technology products on display.

Le Xuan Dinh, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, emphasized during the event that Techfest Hanoi 2023 is one of the key initiatives to support the inspiration and promotion of open innovation and entrepreneurship and the development of a startup culture based on local resources.

The event also aims to strengthen links in the open innovation startup ecosystem, connect stakeholders, and develop the innovative startup network in the capital region and the Red River Delta area to promote the application of technological measures in production and business.

Commenting on the strategy for developing science, technology and innovation to 2030, Dinh said: "The development of science, technology and innovation is a top national policy that plays a breakthrough strategic role in the new stage, the main driving force for promoting growth, creating a leap in productivity, quality and efficiency. It is the decisive factor in improving the country's competitiveness."

He believes building a national ecosystem for innovative startups must be based on local and regional ecosystems.

The new phase of the innovation and startup ecosystem aims to boost a deep and open innovation ecosystem, focusing on the linkages between the government, businesses, and research institutions. It also aims to enhance the participation and resources from domestic and international groups, universities, and research institutes to create a comprehensive and dynamic ecosystem.

"To ensure the sustainable development of the ecosystem, an important priority is to improve the institutional framework and development policies, leverage strengths, address weaknesses, and make efforts to achieve the set goals while harnessing Hanoi's leading role in science and technology development," Dinh emphasized.

Phan Thi Hoang Oanh, Director of Hanoi-based Ai Next Global, JSC, shared that participating in Techfest Hanoi 2023 is a very enriching experience, providing opportunities to be in contact with many companies, enterprises and top experts in the industry.

"It also offers a chance to present and receive feedback on the company's technologies and artificial intelligence solutions, helping us better understand the practical needs and future development direction.

"We believe that through Techfest Hanoi 2023, we will capture new trends and create innovative changes in our products and services to better serve the community and society," she said.

The event features vital activities such as an exhibition showcasing innovative startup projects, technology demonstrations, and supply-demand connections.

The exhibition will showcase projects, ideas, scientific and technological products, innovative startups and typical IPR-protected products from Hanoi and localities in the capital region participating in the event.

It will also present the results of the activities of startup enterprises, technology enterprises, business incubators, technology incubators, investment funds, and others.

Two workshops, "Business with Science, Technology and Innovation" and "Boosting Logistics and Connectivity, Developing the Capital Region", and a Forum for Young Entrepreneurial Innovation, will take place today [October 13].

There will be forums on technology and innovation startup networking with the theme "Promoting an Open Innovation Ecosystem in line with ESG Orientation for Hanoi" and the Hanoi Innovative Startup Competition 2023.